About Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic in Australia
There are over 215,000 consultations to Australian chiropractors each week.1
Through their extensive five year university training, chiropractors are uniquely positioned to help Australians lead healthy lifestyles through drug-free care.
Australian chiropractors are also government registered and regulated health professionals.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2004-2005). National Health Survey: Summary of Results. (No. 4364.0). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Who and What Are Chiropractors?
Chiropractors in Australia are a nationally registered and a regulated health care profession. Chiropractic is a drug and surgery free modality of treatment concerned with the diagnosis, management and prevention of biomechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. In summary, chiropractors focus on the detection and correction of abnormal spinal function and its subsequent effect on how the nervous system functions.
In Australia, chiropractors are educated in the University sector at an under-graduate and post-graduate level and there is a growing research and evidence base not only in Australia but through international federations. As with other healthcare professions, there are internationally and nationally recognised standards of qualification to enable practice in Australia and this is part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
What do chiropractors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics begins with a patient’s case history. This gives the chiropractor a background about your health, such as the onset of your condition, previous surgeries, accidents and other details affecting your current health.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopaedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to identify structural and functioning problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system dysfunction.
The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodical examinations and follow-up reports.
What do Chiropractors do and how do they treat children?
Chiropractors provide patient-centred care and work in partnership with the consumers of chiropractic services. This includes using shared decision making through the informed consent process and using communication strategies that are tailored to the needs and preferences of the patient. Good clinical decision making takes account of patients’ preferences and values, clinicians values and experiences to provide treatment that maximises benefit with minimum risk of harm. This includes referral to other healthcare providers when indicated to ensure the best and most appropriate treatment and health outcome.
The typical chiropractic care of infants and young children involves the use of low-force low-amplitude techniques in contrast to those used on the adult population that typically involve more high velocity, low-amplitude thrust in combination with a variety of low-force low-amplitude treatment procedures.
Published studies and reports through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme show that chiropractic is a low risk health modality that is safely practiced. Similar techniques by other practitioner groups who have the ability to practice restricted acts as defined by law, also demonstrate low risk and harm.
Chiropractors are educated to modify spinal manual therapy to suit the age and presenting condition of a patient.
Can I have confidence in what Chiropractors do?
Chiropractors are registered by the Chiropractic Board of Australia and like all other registered health care providers, must adhere to National Law and profession specific codes of conduct and guidelines. An October 2015 Position Statement by the Board acknowledged that chiropractic paediatric management education is provided by all accredited Australian Universities, this incorporated an understanding of risks where identified and emphasised established clinical best practice guidelines for the treatment of children. There are gaps in the knowledge base in relation to the chiropractic care of children and more research is needed. What remains unchanged is that chiropractic care is safe for children and is delivered by educated, regulated healthcare professionals. In addition, given the patient-centric nature of chiropractic care, there is high expressed satisfaction by parents/guardians seeking care of their children. The profession is committed to ensuring evidence informed care is provided to patients.
Where do Chiropractors fit in the Australian Healthcare system?
All healthcare interventions carry a level of risk and treatment will be informed by evidence, clinician experience and patient participation. There is significant review and reform occurring in Australia to ensure that patients receive appropriate care, utilising effective treatments and underpinned by exemplary conduct. There are examples in all healthcare modalities where treatment choice, effectiveness and conduct are not optimal, it is not just about chiropractors and chiropractic, and all professions are experiencing change. What remains clear about chiropractic is that it is a safe and effective modality of treatment for Australians.
