Painful joint and back problems can be caused by work, accidents, sports injuries, household chores, and even the stress of daily living.

Chiropractic care may help if you are experiencing aching joints or muscle pain that is affecting your ability to get through the day, or preventing you from doing your favourite activities. It can also help maintain healthy spine and joint function, even if you do not have painful symptoms.

People commonly visit a chiropractor for help with:

• back pain

• neck pain

• headache

• whiplash

• strains and sprains from daily activities

• overuse injuries

• work and sports-related injuries

• arthritis

• restricted movement in the back, shoulders, neck or limbs

• spinal manipulation, sometimes called an adjustment – using the hands to apply controlled force to a joint of the spine

• treatment of other joints, including feet, ankles, shoulders, wrists, elbows.

• mobilisation – gentle movement of the joint to increase its range of motion

• low force techniques (no cracking): Drop piece table technique – the use of a specially designed table to help mobilise a joint in a controlled way. Activator - an adjusting instrument used to apply a low force manipulation to a joint.

• soft tissue techniques – such as massage

• exercises

• reassurance

• stretching

• activity modification – suggesting how to make changes to your day-to-day activities to alleviate discomfort and enable recovery

• lifestyle advice – such as healthy eating and physical activity advice

Dr Martine will discuss these with you as part of a shared decision-making process.

One of the most common and well known therapeutic procedures performed by chiropractors is spinal manipulation (sometimes referred to as a ‘chiropractic adjustment’, although this technique is also used by osteopaths and physiotherapists). The purpose of spinal manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become restricted in their movement as a result of a tissue injury.

Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function.

In Australia chiropractic is one of the fourteen health professions regulated by the government via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Chiropractors in Australia are required to register with the Chiropractic Board of Australia. Chiropractors are subject to the standards, codes and guidelines established by the board.

To become a registered chiropractor in Australia you must have studied an accredited five-year chiropractic program conducted at a university within Australia, or have completed an accredited program overseas that satisfies the requirements set by the Chiropractic Board of Australia.

When you attend a chiropractic examination your chiropractor will:

• conduct a thorough medical history

• visually inspect for spinal curves or other visible health indicators

• use their hands to palpate (feel) your spine and the muscles and other soft tissues that support it

• conduct orthopaedic examinations – these are examinations designed to detect health conditions relating to the spine, bones, joints, muscles and soft tissues, including ligaments and tendons. Among other things, an orthopaedic exam includes moving the joint and measuring its range of movement

• conduct neurological examinations – these are examinations designed to assess the function of your motor, sensory and cranial nerves (such as testing your reflexes and testing for numbness).

Where required, your chiropractor can also refer you directly for other diagnostic tests such as an X-ray or MRI Based on their examination, your chiropractor will give you a differential diagnosis (that considers all of the potential causes of your primary complaint) and a working diagnosis (the most likely cause of your primary complaint). They will explain this diagnosis, including its natural history (when you would expect it to resolve), the treatment options available to you and any benefits or risks associated with those treatments.

You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor unless you are seeking treatment:

• under Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management program

• through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Your chiropractor is well versed in their field and will also know when to refer to other specialist when needed if a condition needs coordinated care or further care.