What to expect when visiting our chiropractic clinic
A caring approach and personalised care
Your first chiropractic visit
Visiting a chiropractor for the first time can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect. At Chiropractic Symphony, we want you to feel at ease and comfortable while in our care.
Below is detailed information about what to expect during your first visit.
Please contact our clinic if you have any questions about your chiropractic visit.
Before your appointment
No painkillers on the day of your appointment
Please don’t take painkillers on the day of your chiropractic visit. They can mask your symptoms and make it hard to pinpoint the source of your pain. If you’re feeling discomfort, please use ice packs for relief. Don’t use heat packs, as they can make inflammation worse.
If you have any scans, X-rays, ultrasounds or other medical reports relevant to your condition, please bring them with you.
Please allow up to one hour for your first appointment.
When you arrive
Our friendly receptionist will greet you and give you a new patient admission form to complete. Next, we’ll show you around the clinic and guide you to a changing room.
We’ll give you privacy while you change into a gown or remove your top, including bras and underclothes. If you need assistance, please let us know.
Once you’re ready, we’ll take you to your consultation room.
Your first consultation
We’ll take an on-site X-ray for an instant image
Using the Gonstead chiropractic method, we’ll step you through a complete and thorough assessment. First, we’ll ask you about your symptoms, lifestyle and previous injuries to better understand the reason for your visit.
After hearing your concerns, we’ll conduct a complete physical examination, which includes:
- Making a visual assessment to identify any swelling or problems with your posture.
- Running a nervoscope down your spine to painlessly check for swelling and hot spots.
- Performing palpation, pressing down to feel for tenderness or movement issues.
- Taking an on-site X-ray to get an instant image of your entire spinal structure.
Please let us know if you’re pregnant or have other reasons you don’t wish to have an X-ray.
Chiropractic adjustments
We don’t perform any adjustments without your consent
We’ll check for motion changes after your adjustment
After your treatment, we’ll ask you to walk around the consulting room so we can look for changes in your motion.
After we finish, you’ll return to the changing room to dress privately.
Aftercare and further treatment
We’ll give you care advice for when you get home
Before you leave, we’ll give you specific aftercare advice, including icing, resting, and specific instructions for sitting, sleeping and posture awareness.
Because healing takes time, most patients need further adjustments to help the joints stabilise. But this will depend on your specific condition, how long you’ve had your injury and your general health.
If further appointments are necessary, we’ll discuss this with you at the end of your consultation and book the next one before you leave.
Chiropractic costs and payment
We are a full-fee clinic, which means you need to pay the cost of your chiropractic consultation on the day of your visit. We accept cash or card.
If you have questions about our fees, please talk to us before you book your first appointment.
Private health cover
If you have private health cover, which includes chiropractic, your health fund might cover part of your consult fees. Please check your extras coverage.
We have a HICAPs machine and accept cards from all Australian health funds.
Medicare
Medicare doesn’t usually cover the cost of chiropractic visits. However, if you have a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP (formerly known as an Enhanced Primary Care plan), you might be eligible for some Medicare rebate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral from my GP to visit your clinic?
No, you don’t need a referral. If you’re experiencing nerve or muscle pain, you can book an appointment for a full Gonstead chiropractic assessment at our clinic.
How many chiropractic sessions will I need?
This will depend on your condition and how your body responds to our treatment. For some people, one or two visits are enough to bring complete relief. Others might need more visits or ongoing treatment over some time. We’ll discuss this with you at your first visit and keep you informed as we progress through your treatment.