Chiropractic, the Hands On Approach

Chiropractic has a philosophical approach.

Chiropractic is gentle and a natural way to relieve pain and optimise health outcomes. 


Chiropractic aims to remove the interference to our bodies' natural ability to maintain our optimal state of homeostasis and health. 


Chiropractic has always searched for the natural way of doing things and better health outcomes without drugs or surgery. 


In Touch Combines its Core Chiropractic Care With Home Exercises

Recent research has indicated that for the best long term outcomes with chiropractic care, exercise therapy needs to be a part of the care plan.


Exercises are targeted to the individuals needs as assessed by the chiropractor. There is often a combination of stretching exercises (long muscles are strong muscles) and strengthening exercises (weak muscles tend to get tight and irritable).


We send home exercise sheets, and demonstrate exercises in house. If you are a current patient and have forgotten/lost your exercises or would like an update please ask at reception to book a special appointment for this :) 

Origin for the name of the Chiropractic profession.

The Greek word for "done by hand" is χειροποίητος (cheiropoiētos), which comes from cheir (hand) and poiēō (to make or do).


  • Χείρ (cheir): Hand
  • Ποιέω (poiēō): To make or to do


  • Meaning: cheiropoiētos describes something constructed, performed, or manufactured by human hands rather than by nature or divine power.


We Are Specially Trained

Chiropractic in Australia is a regulated helath profession.


Chiropractic in Australia is a Nationally regulated helath profession overseen by the Chiropractic Board of Australia and implemented through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - AHPRA.


The Chiropractic Profession is governed by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law which is active across every Australian state and territory.

Chiropractic is a protected title: By law, a person cannot call themselves a Chiropractor or perform specific high-risk procedures like cervical spine manipulation unless they hold active official registration.

Chiropractor are registrated and categories include General registration, limited, non-practising, and student registration.


Chiropractors must have University Training & Practitioners must complete an accredited 5-year university program. This can be a double undergraduate program or combined undergraduate and postgraduate program.


There are standards of Professional Conduct & Registered members must follow strict national codes, guidelines, and mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.


Clinical Scope concentrates on diagnosing, managing, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.


Healthcare Integration: Eligible patients can access partial Medicare rebates via GP Chronic Disease Management plans, alongside coverage through private health insurance extras, DVA, and workers' compensation.


woman stretching on beach

Chiropractic is Effective

Chiropractic is not just about Pain Relief

Studies have shown that there is an alteration of muscle tissue health in spinal pain sufferers. It has also been shown that muscle activation patterns change as soon as the individual is feeling pain such that different muscles are recruited when performing a task with neck muscle pain as without pain. These alternative muscle use patterns switch off core muscles and recruit more superficial muscles creating weakness and instability as well as overuse tightness/injury.


Active exercise in this pain state can actually perpetuate this compensation muscle activation pattern. It has been recommended that pain is reduced before active exercise programs are introduced. Also Specific muscle exercise is recommended over general exercise to reprogram these pain induced patterns and re-establish better motor programs.


Pain relief can be achieved without drugs or surgery in many cases and there are many studies that show spinal manipulation and mobilisation is effective with chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, and acute lower back pain and neck pain. It is recommended that this is combined with specific muscle exercise for best long term results

 References for the above information.

(including all research relevent to this topic is impractical in this forum please ask your chiropractor if you are interested in exploring this further)

Lluch E, et al "Immediate effects of active cranio-cervical flexion exercise vs passive mobilization of the upper cervical spine on pain and performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test" Manual Therapy 2014 FEb;19(1):25-31.

The conclusion of this study was that both active and passive treatments offered pain relief but only the exercise group also improved motor function, thus highlighting the importance of specific active exercise for improved motor control of the cervical spine. 

McGill S, PhD. Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance. Waterloo, Canada, Wabuno Publishers; 2006: 1025. 

Hebert JJ, DC, PhD, et al. Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Lumbar Discectomy With Quantification of Trunk Muscle Morphology & Function: A Case Report and Review of the literature. JOSPT 2010; 40(7):402-412

Boudreau SA, et al. The role of motor learning and neuroplasticity in designing rehabilitation approaches for musculoskeletal pain disorders. Manual Ther 2010; xxx: 1-5.

Globe G, DC, MBA, PhD et al. Chiropractic management of low back disorders: report from a consensus process. CCGPP. JMPT 2008;28(9):651-8. 

Hurwitz E, DC, PhD, et al. Treatment of Neck Pain: Noninvasive Interventions: Results of the Bone & Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain. Spine 2008;33:S123-52. 

Chou R, MD, Qaseem A, MD, PhD, MHA, et al. Diagnosis & Treatment of LBP: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians & the American Pain Society. Annals of Internal Med 2007;147:478-91. 

Gross A, et al. Manipulation or mobilization for neck pain: A Cochrane Review. Manual Therapy 2010;15(4): 315-333.

Leaver AM, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing manipulation with mobilization for recent onset neck pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91:1313-8

Cleland, J A, PT, PhD et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of 3 manual physical therapy techniques in a subgroup of patients with LBP who satisfy a clinical prediction rule. Spine 2009;34(25):2720-9. 

Balthazard P et al. Manual therapy followed by specific active exercises versus a placebo followed by specific active exercises on the improvement of functional disability in patients with chronic non specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2012, 13:162.