Chiropractic & Movement

Most people find chiropractic treatment comfortable. Some techniques involve a bit of firm pressure, and occasionally you might feel a little sore afterward (similar to how you’d feel after a good workout). I always work within your comfort level and adjust my approach based on your feedback, so please never hesitate to speak up.

The "cracking" sound you might have heard about is simply gas releasing from a joint as it moves – it’s a harmless yet satisfying side effect of what we are really trying to achieve – joint movement! Adjustments are just one tool in my kit. Depending on what you need, I may also use softer techniques that involve no cracking at all, so if the idea of it makes you nervous, just let me know.

Chiropractic is one of the most widely used forms of manual therapy in the world, and it is generally considered safe. Before any treatment, I’ll always take a thorough history and assessment to make sure chiropractic is appropriate for you. If I ever feel something is outside my scope or needs further investigation, I’ll tell you and refer you to the right person.

Chiropractors in Australia complete a minimum five-year university degree, which includes extensive study in anatomy, physiology, neurology, pathology, radiology, and clinical practice. We’re registered health professionals regulated by AHPRA, the same body that oversees doctors, physios, and nurses. So while we might be best known for back cracking, there’s a lot of science behind what we do! I graduated from Macquarie University in 2023 with a Bachelors and Masters of Chiropractic Science. Since then I have worked as a registered Chiropractor and continued to learn through experience and post graduate study.

All three professions work with the muscles and joints to reduce pain and improve how your body moves. There’s more overlap than most people realise. Traditionally, chiropractors are known for spinal adjustments, physios for exercise rehab, and osteopaths for whole-body manual therapy, but in practice the lines are pretty blurry. My style sits somewhere in the middle: I’m registered as a chiropractor, but I incorporate a lot of muscle testing, muscle release, and targeted rehab that you’d more commonly associate with physiotherapy. At the end of the day, the profession matters less than finding someone who actually listens, does a thorough assessment, and tailors care to you.

There is no fixed number that everyone gets. The usual shape is a visit now, then one week, two weeks and four weeks later, with a re-test at about week 10. We book them all at your first visit, so you are not deciding each time. Every visit starts with the same tests, and when they hold we stop. Some people need a visit or two more in a stage, and the tests decide, not the calendar. After that it is check-ins: a short re-test every few months, usually two to four visits a year, and sooner if something flares.

No. You pay for each visit as it happens. No prepay, no packages. Nothing is bought up front.

Keep the next visit. Out of pain is not the same as finished. In my experience the pain often settles before the tests do, so I run the tests, and if they hold we stop there, together, in the room. If you are good sooner, we cancel the rest.

The same tests as day one. We see what has held, then plan the next step. The main one is at about week 10, and after that a short re-test every few months as a check-in.

Not as much time as people typically think. Most of my clients only perform one or two, 25-30 minute, dedicated sessions per week. Less is actually more with flexibility training as your body needs time to rest and adapt to the changes we are making.

The answer to this one will always depend on the individual. In my experience, progress tends to be quicker early on and then slows down a little (much like beginner gains in the gym when strength training). As a story from my own training, not a promise: I trained 2 sessions per week for about 2.5 months for my pancake and went from sitting at almost 90 degrees and struggling to lean forwards to touching my head on the floor.

Yes! There are multiple ways to do it but flexibility training doesn’t take away from your strength or sport specific training. Depending on your training load, you may need to time sessions carefully, but it isn’t usually an issue. I personally train hybrid calisthenics strength training 3 times per week and I usually just add my mobility sessions at the end of two of those sessions.

No! If stretching hurts, you are either pushing it too hard, not resting enough, or have an injury or troublesome compensation pattern holding you back. I always emphasise that mobility and flexibility training should be moderately uncomfortable in the extreme ranges, but definitely not painful. Pain will cause your body to feel unsafe and hold extra tension to protect itself.

Yes you can! If your private health fund has chiropractic care included, you can claim it with me (even for mobility and flexibility services). We can process it in clinic at the time of payment if you have your card with you or I can send you an invoice after the consult and you can claim it yourself if you forget your card.