What does a chiropractor actually do? A chiropractor is an Ahpra-registered allied health professional who assesses and treats problems with the muscles, bones and joints, most often the spine. Treatment commonly includes spinal manipulation (moving the joints by hand), other manual therapy such as massage, and advice on posture, ergonomics and daily habits. Chiropractors are not medical doctors, and don’t diagnose or treat disease — their focus is musculoskeletal function.
What Does a Chiropractic Assessment Involve?
A chiropractic assessment typically starts with a detailed history — your symptoms, how they developed, your general health and any relevant medical history — followed by a physical examination of the affected area, posture and movement. At Be Amazing Chiropractic, Dr Adam Arnold uses this information, combined with Traditional Chiropractic Care, Zone Technique and Quantum Neurology, to build a broader picture of how the spine, posture and nervous system are functioning together, rather than looking at a single sore spot in isolation.
What Techniques Do Chiropractors Use?
According to Healthdirect Australia, chiropractic treatment may include manipulation, where the practitioner uses their hands to move the joints, manual therapy such as massage, and ergonomic advice on posture and workstation setup. The exact mix of techniques used depends on the assessment findings and what a particular patient responds well to — there’s no single technique used for every presentation.
What Conditions Do Chiropractors Commonly See?
People typically see a chiropractor for low back pain, neck pain, or some types of headache, including migraines. Healthdirect notes that spinal manipulation and other manual therapies may help some people with low back pain, and may help with neck pain and headaches, especially when combined with exercise, though for other conditions the evidence is less clear. Chiropractors are trained to recognise when a presentation falls outside this scope and refer patients on accordingly.
Do Chiropractors Diagnose Disease?
No. Chiropractors are not medical doctors, and chiropractic assessment and treatment is focused on musculoskeletal function rather than diagnosing or treating disease. Part of a chiropractor’s training involves screening for signs that a presentation may be something more serious, and referring patients back to their GP, a specialist, or hospital care when that’s the case, rather than continuing chiropractic treatment regardless.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Chiropractors in Australia must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), and must be qualified and complete ongoing training — registration can be verified on the Ahpra website. Before treatment, a chiropractor should ask about factors like conditions affecting your bones or joints, blood-thinning medication, stroke risk factors, skin fragility, or recent injuries or surgery, to help decide whether treatment is appropriate for you.
What Should I Expect on My First Visit?
Your first visit is mostly about listening and assessment, not immediate treatment. At Be Amazing Chiropractic, Dr Adam Arnold talks patients through what he finds in plain language and discusses an approach tailored to them, with no pressure and no one-size-fits-all program. You can read a full walkthrough of what happens at your first chiropractic appointment on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chiropractors just “crack backs”?
Spinal manipulation is one technique chiropractors use, but assessment, manual therapy, postural advice and exercise guidance are all part of a typical chiropractic approach — it’s rarely just one technique in isolation.
Are chiropractors medical doctors?
No. Chiropractors are allied health professionals registered with Ahpra, not medical doctors, and their focus is musculoskeletal function rather than diagnosing or treating disease.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners in Australia, so you can book directly without a referral, unless you’re hoping to access a Medicare rebate under a chronic disease management plan.
Book an Assessment at Be Amazing Chiropractic
Curious what a chiropractic assessment would find for your own presentation? Contact Be Amazing Chiropractic in Charlestown to book your $99 New Patients Experience with Dr Adam Arnold.