Chiropractic treatments are covered under Medicare although they have to be allowed by a GP! If you are suffering from a chronic condition for over 6 months you may be eligible for a care plan from your general practitioner!
All Medicare plans that cover chiropractic care are patient claimed and have a small out of pocket expense unless GP has stated “Bulk Billing” is necessary on the file!
All of our processing for both medicare and private health are done onsite and claimed on the spot!
Chiropractic is covered by all major private health insurances with “Extras Cover” for chiropractic services. This means that depending on your insurance company and cover limits you will be covered for a percentage amount of the total cost of the appointment.
For your convenience our chiropractic clinic locations in both Westmeadows and Broadmeadows offer HICAPS GO online and a HICAPS terminal on site to ensure you can claim your extras on the spot!
Our team of chiropractors are also claimable for other treatment modalities also such as dry needling and cupping. This is dependant on who is available on the day to provide such techniques!
Yes, Our team of chiropractors are able to help woman suffering from pain during their pregnancy with specific chiropractic techniques. It is common to see low back pain and tightness through the front of the abdomen due to a growing baby. We also offer pregnancy pillows that allow all pregnant women to lay on their stomachs during all treatments which can help alleviate pain and discomfort. This also enables our practitioners to work on all areas of the body during the period of pregnancy care.
Our chiropractors use therapies that are very gentle and safe for both mothers and babies before and after pregnancy. Our team can treat a wide range of pregnancy aches and pains and create the changes needed prior to birth by helping decrease tension throughout the pelvis and low back.
There is never an clear answer to this question prior to an examination and thorough check up. Usually you will get recommendations on your initial visit about what chiropractic care is needed and what approach will be used unless there are further examinations required such as X-ray reports.
Depending on the person chiropractic care may be for symptomatic issues only.
There are also those who choose to improve their overall function an wellbeing which progresses further over time. Usually after achieving results such as enhanced functional wellbeing many decide to incorporate chiropractic care as ongoing management or wellness care.
Our westmeadows and broadmeadows clinics offer chiropractic services which also include modalities such as dry needling, cupping, sports taping, trigger point therapy, Stretching and exercise prescription.
Our Westmeadows chiropractic practice also accepts referrals from GP’s for chiropractic services. If you are given a CDM or EPC plan you are eligible for up to 5 chiropractic visits per year!
What Can You Expect On Your First Visit To Our Clinic?
First Visit or First Treatment at either of our westmeadows or broadmeadows health clinics includes a case history, posture scan, movement analysis, pain assessment, orthopaedic testing and a full body treatment. Referral for X-ray imaging (if required) is bulk-billed through Medicare.
Our Westmeadows Clinic
Our Westmeadows Clinic is spacious and easily accessible by car, bus and train. Onsite Parking is available with wheelchair accessibility and is within 10km of Melbourne CBD
What Can Our Team Do To Help?
Depending on the severity of the injury or area of concern our practitioners in our Broadmeadows, Westmeadows and Fawkner Clinics will treat accordingly to your complaint. Treatments that may be provided but are not limited to include:
Spinal manipulation, Activator Methods, Drop Piece, SOT and other adjustive techniques can help alleviate joints that have restriction such as spinal segments and joints (LeFebvre, Peterson & Haas, 2012)
PNF/PIR/prescribed stretching – Stretching has shown to reduce pain, improve functionality of the wrist and hand also maintains strength and improves patients in both long and short-term outcomes.
Remedial Massage, Trigger point therapy or use of handheld massager – Have shown to decrease pain/tenderness, enhance both range of motion and quality of life and influence flexibility (Shah et al., 2015) (Imtiyaz, Veqar & Shareef, 2014)
Advice on daily living activities/diet – This enables advice on how to change to make healthy actions into habits and may offer a valuable alternative with potential for long-term impact. (Gardner, Lally & Wardle, 2012)
Prescribed exercises – produce more beneficial outcomes in terms of increased strength, improved function and reduced pain scores. (Fernandes, Pedrinelli & Hernandez, 2015)
Dry Needling or Cupping to the surrounding musculature to help decrease tension and inflammation around the area of the hand and forearm.
In Short No, X-Rays are not necessary to get before seeing a chiropractor. This is because our team of chiropractors perform an assessment which includes a thorough history, orthopaedic testing and mobility stress tests to ensure that there are no significant red flags that may justify the need for an X-Ray.
Indications for an X-ray Include
To diagnose recent trauma which may have been a cause of fracture or dislocation at any age and anyone over the age of 50 who has suffered from a minor fall or slip with uncommon pain.
Diagnose degeneration/arthritic conditions or structural changes that may be causing pain and restriction.
To see changes with spinal deformities over time to ensure they are not getting worse such as scoliosis/kyphosis or other spinal degenerative changes.
X-rays are a great tool to help guide a particular treatment that is needed for the patients success. 8 times out of 10 it is likely that with or without X-rays the chiropractors treatment will not change and this will be based on patients goals and what they have assessed on examination. Our team of chiropractors are able to refer out for any X-rays that are indicated.
Contraindications for an X-ray
To identify problems with soft tissues. Unfortunately X-rays can only visualise issues related to bones and joints and not with muscular problems.
To find out whether or not areas of no concern have problems.
If the patient is pregnant
X-ray referrals without any clinical evidence or reasoning
It is common that with most general complaints not to need X-rays. Also with the initial assessment our practitioners find that with most patients they will have certain anomalies where things dont add up before a referral is needed for an X-ray. The reason why chiropractors and other allied health professionals don’t send patients out readily for X-rays is because of the exposure to radiation and it is best to avoid it if possible!
Inflammation is something we usually see in our joints and is something that we all like to avoid! Unfortunately sugar is something that fires up our bodies inflammatory system in various ways. We all want to be functioning as best as we can so it is ideal to restrict your sugar intake. It is common to have a sugar craving for sweets and there can be healthier substitutes that allow for better energy and overall performance when it comes to bodily functions.
These snacks can include things such as fruit or nuts which are a great way to avoid ramping up your sugar intake and avoiding those high GI foods that cause us to crash. There are also other types of foods such as yogurts and nuts which are also great snacking foods but beware as they are also high in calories and should be limited.
Exercise is also a great way to decrease sugar cravings as the body tends to crave healthier foods to refuel and rebuild.
By substituting or limiting sugar in your diet the following benefits can be seen in various research articles:
The Melbourne Chiropractor Westmeadows provides specialised therapeutic techniques to help with all types of musculoskeletal problems. Our team of chiropractors strives to decrease pain, increase function and create solutions to your problems which will be long term. Our team strives to get patients back on their feet as quick as possible with ongoing support if it is essential.
Our westmeadows and broadmeadows clinics offer chiropractic services which also include modalities such as dry needling, cupping, sports taping, trigger point therapy, Stretching and exercise prescription.
Our Westmeadows chiropractic practice also accepts referrals from GP’s for chiropractic services. If you are given a CDM or EPC plan you are eligible for up to 5 chiropractic visits per year!
What Can You Expect On Your First Visit To Our Clinic?
First Visit or First Treatment at either of our westmeadows or broadmeadows health clinics includes a case history, posture scan, movement analysis, pain assessment, orthopaedic testing and a full body treatment. Referral for X-ray imaging (if required) is bulk-billed through Medicare.
Our Westmeadows Clinic
Our Westmeadows Clinic is spacious and easily accessible by car, bus and train. Onsite Parking is available with wheelchair accessibility and is within 10km of Melbourne CBD
What Can Our Team Do To Help?
Depending on the severity of the injury or area of concern our practitioners in our Broadmeadows, Westmeadows and Fawkner Clinics will treat accordingly to your complaint. Treatments that may be provided but are not limited to include:
Spinal manipulation, Activator Methods, Drop Piece, SOT and other adjustive techniques can help alleviate joints that have restriction such as spinal segments and joints (LeFebvre, Peterson & Haas, 2012)
PNF/PIR/prescribed stretching – Stretching has shown to reduce pain, improve functionality of the wrist and hand also maintains strength and improves patients in both long and short-term outcomes.
Remedial Massage, Trigger point therapy or use of handheld massager – Have shown to decrease pain/tenderness, enhance both range of motion and quality of life and influence flexibility (Shah et al., 2015) (Imtiyaz, Veqar & Shareef, 2014)
Advice on daily living activities/diet – This enables advice on how to change to make healthy actions into habits and may offer a valuable alternative with potential for long-term impact. (Gardner, Lally & Wardle, 2012)
Prescribed exercises – produce more beneficial outcomes in terms of increased strength, improved function and reduced pain scores. (Fernandes, Pedrinelli & Hernandez, 2015)
Dry Needling or Cupping to the surrounding musculature to help decrease tension and inflammation around the area of the hand and forearm.
Self care is commonly spoken about as it involves giving time to yourself to create healthier habits and relationships within your day to day life. Sometimes it can be difficult to find things that motivate us or even give us a sense of a healthier outlook on life. Below are some reasons why Chiropractic care is a great addition to your routine to boost your mental and physical health.
Chiropractic Care Is Great For Pain!
Our chiropractors are most commonly come in for symptomatic care, meaning due to things such as low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches or even sporting injuries just to name a few. Usually the reason behind pain can be due to spinal dysfunction, nerve irritation or muscular tension/imbalances. Our chiropractors help to correct these issues by performing chiropractic adjustments and various soft tissue techniques to alleviate the pain associated within the area.
Chiropractic Care Is Great For Preventing Pain!
Chiropractic care is great for preventing reoccurring aches and pains that can stop you in your tracks. The goal of chiropractic during this phase is to manage areas which are beginning to freeze up and to jump on top of any joint restrictions before its to late. It is important to note that consistent care can help prevent those symptoms and pain cycles from recurring. Preventative care is the key to real health, and chiropractic care is a great place to start.
Chiropractic Care Improves Us Physically and Mentally!
The biggest changes after chiropractic care is the sense of feeling better after treatment. They may feel lighter, more mobile and healthier overall. When you upkeep your bodies musculoskeletal system and you are keeping on top of joint restriction and muscle tension the body allows you to perform at its best.
Chiropractic care is not a magic pill or a miracle drug. Instead, it is a cumulative therapy where each session creates changes to enhance the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use their hands or various other tools such as an activator or drop table to promote healing without the use of medications or surgery. It usually takes a couple of sessions to make some serious changes although usually after the first session there is some difference felt from when you would have first come in. However trying to be completely pain free in a single visit can be very unrealistic unless you have been seeing chiropractors or other health professionals for maintenance over a period of time.
This is why there are 3 types of care associated with chiropractic care!
Initial Intensive Care
Most patients have musculoskeletal complaints that are causing them significant discomfort and interfering with their usual way of life. Therefore, 90% of these patients are in the “Initial Intensive Care” phase. As chiropractors, we are initially trying to reverse a pattern of the spine being misaligned to provide quick pain relief. The problem has probably been there for a significant amount of time. These patients are generally seen about 2 times a week to start until the pain level has gone down to a liveable level.
Rehab/Strengthening Care
During the Rehab and Strengthening Care phase the patient feels considerably better. This phase continues the healing and creates changes to the spine that will prevent further injury from happening. Therapies during this phase are generally changed from acute care to working different muscle groups, changing bad postures, rehabilitating areas of weakness and other areas of the musculoskeletal system. These patients are typically seen once a week until satisfactory results are seen by both the chiropractor and the patient.
Wellness Care
This is the preventative care phase where the chiropractor aims to get the patient feeling their best continuously and consistently. Wellness care can be anywhere from once a week to once a month. It depends on various factors such as age, fitness levels, activities performed and overall health goals.
At The Melbourne Chiropractor our goal is to patients restore our patient musculoskeletal systems to where they are able to perform at their best.
