Smiles Chiropractic - Frequently Asked QUestions
If Stacey doesn't crack then how does she adjust?
Stacey's fingers are highly trained, they are extremely sensitive to detecting areas of restriction or areas that just do not feel right. Some chiropractors will use a "clicky" gun where they use an educated "guess" to determine exactly where, what angle and how deep to deliver that adjustment and typically they are used to move a joint, not used over muscles. Stacey keeps her hands on the patients body, and can feel exactly how deep the adjustment needs to be to get a release over both muscles and joints.
Does it hurt?
The short answer is possibly. When you go and have a remedial massage, some of the tight points can hurt as they are released. Using the neuromuscular technique, the adjustment is fast over the sore spots. Stacey sometimes finds areas that you did not know were sore or will adjust areas on the opposite side of your body. The best example of this is pain in between the shoulder blades, in the centre of your back. Stacey might target your pec muscles in your chest, to stop them being too tight, pulling muscles like your rhomboids in your back and making them sore. Stacey describes this as trying to find the bully causing the muscles to cry.
How long does an appointment last?
The first appointment is where Stacey gets to know you, takes your history, organises any relevant tests (if clinically indicated) and usually performs a treatment. This appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes.
Review visits are for second and subsequent visits unless it has been more than 12 months since you have last been treated. These last 15 minutes.
If you have had a new or significant injury, you are encouraged to book an initial appointment to allow Stacey to have more time to properly assess you.
How often do I need to come back?
This question is a "how long is a piece of string" type of question. It is determined on how new your injury is, how much pain you are in, how complex you are. It is very unusual for Stacey to ever see someone more than once in a week. Your body needs time to recover and reset from the treatment. Fresh disc injuries are one of the few instances where it will be recommended to have closer appointments.
Stacey also prefers for you to be responsible for your health care. At the end of the day you are the one who has to live with your pain. The impact on Stacey if you wait too long in pain, you can be more complicated to treat and require more frequent treatments to get relief.
I have been told I have osteoarthritis, can I still be treated?
Yes. Osteoarthritis is the sign of wear in your body. You do not expect a 20 year old to have any signs of osteoarthritis, however by the time you are 50, it is given that your body will show signs of aging. Because Stacey is not forcing any joints, there are no adverse concerns to not go and get treated. In most cases, treatment is beneficial as it gets your body moving and can reduce you "wearing your body out!" We all know when we are moving we feel better.
I am hypermobile or really sensitive to pain, can I still be treated?
Traditional cracking chiropractic is not clinically indicated for a hypermobile joint, afterall why would you want to force a joint already moving too much to move more? Stacey works more on the muscles that will be working too hard in people with hypermobility disorders that are stabilising the joints.
Stacey does have experience working with patients who have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and can perform presumptive testing for this.
Do you treat maternity or new born babies?
YES YES YES!!!! Stacey loves treating maternity patients and sees it as a privilege to be able to share a patient's pregnancy. From birthing 5 children and learning the power of chiropractic treatments on her body, it is actually what inspired Stacey to become a chiropractor.
Do you treat headaches or migraines?
Headaches and migraines are very separate conditions and many people get confused thinking that a migraine is a very bad headache. It is not, although it may have a headache associated with it.
Headaches that come from poor posture, something being "out" and even stress typically respond well to chiropractic care. Migraines are assessed on a case by case basis. Stacey does do cranial adjustments which can help ease migraines for some people.
Do you treat low back pain/ disc injuries/ Sciatic pain?
Yes. As Stacey does not crack or perform any rotary moves, she is not going to be putting any further stress onto a disc that is injured or inflamed. Her palpations and mobilisations done throughout the lumbar spine are gentle. When Stacey is adjusting a pelvis to help mobilise the lower back, she uses a drop piece that is built into her table.
Sciatic pain can be from several sources including disc injuries. It is like the "headache" of the lower back. Sometimes it can be a sign of piriformis syndrome, or tight glute or adductor muscles.
Tight muscles in the lower back can also be part of a myofascial pain syndrome with some muscles sending referral patterns mimicking disc injuries.
Stacey always suggests chatting with your GP and getting a CT or MRI done if you are worried about a disc injury.
Do you need to have x-rays before you can be treated?
NO! X-rays can be requested by Stacey if they are clinically indicated. Stacey can also refer to Queensland X-ray for a EOS scan which is bulk billed giving her a postural assessment of your body. MRI's can also be referred by a chiropractor, however there is an out of pocket charge. CT scans need to be ordered from a GP.
Stacey does have access to QLD X-ray, Nth Queensland X-ray and IMED. Permission is sort prior to accessing your studies.
I have been to a chiropractor before and they didn't help me?
Stacey is different, she describes herself as the star shaped peg that doesn't fit in any hole but her own. The philosophy Stacey operates under is different to other chiropractors. She does not use fear to motivate you to keep coming back. You will know within the first few visits if you are a good fit and if Stacey will help relieve your pain. Her golden rule, if you are not getting relief then you are not coming in and wasting your money! Mind you, she does ask for you to give her a couple of visits to help understand your body first!
What is a Team Care Arrangement/ Enhanced Primary Care Plan?
Medicare will subsidise up to 5 visits to certain allied health practitioners (Chiro, Physio, Osteo, Exercise Physiology, Dietician) for people who live with a chronic condition. These need to be written and signed off by your GP. Stacey will assess on your first visit if you are likely to get benefit from chiropractic treatment. Yes, all 5 visits per calendar year can be assigned to Stacey.
Payment is made upfront and Medicare will refund you, just like most GP's and specialist clinics. This allows for your Medicare safety net to be utilised if you have gone over the threshold.