What to expect from Total Health Chiropractic
At Total Health Chiropractic Frankston, our Chiropractors take a thorough, individualised approach to assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions.
Initial Consultation Your Chiropractor will review your history and conduct a physical assessment, which may include:
Computerised posture scanning Two photographs are taken — one from the front and one from the side — and digitally analysed to assess your posture, including the positioning of your head, shoulders, hips and knees relative to a reference posture. This information contributes to your overall assessment and management planning.
Motion testing Your Chiropractor will assess the range of motion of your spinal and extremity joints, either passively or actively, to examine for any restrictions. This forms part of the overall clinical picture.
Balance testing Balance testing forms part of the physical examination and may provide information relevant to your cranial nerves, nerve function, and lower body kinetic chain, among other areas.
Orthopaedic and neurological tests Your Chiropractor will assess muscle strength and function, pain levels, nerve function, and joint function and stability to assist in forming a clinical picture of your presentation.
Leg length assessment A series of tests to assess for any discrepancies in leg length, which may assist in understanding factors contributing to posture and alignment, including in the hips, lower leg, ankle or feet.
Spinal X-rays Where clinically appropriate, your Chiropractor may refer you for spinal X-rays to assist in understanding your spinal alignment and any degenerative changes relevant to your presentation.
Report of findings This visit covers the findings from your assessment and your Chiropractor’s recommended management options for your consideration. Where adjustments or other care are recommended, techniques may include:
Manual diversified technique A form of manual adjustment in which the Chiropractor uses their hands to deliver a spinal manipulation to joints identified as restricted during assessment.
Extremity adjustments Manual adjustments applied to joints of the extremities — including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles — identified as restricted during assessment.
Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) using blocks A lower-force technique that uses SOT blocks, which the patient lies on for a period of time determined by the Chiropractor. This technique addresses the relationship between the base of the skull and the base of the spine.
Activator method A lower-force technique applicable to both spinal and extremity joints, using a handheld instrument — the Activator — to deliver an adjustment to restricted joints.
Drop piece adjustments A lower-force option in which the adjustment is assisted by a drop piece component of the table or a portable drop piece, applicable to both spinal and extremity joints.
Soft tissue release Techniques applied to muscles that are tight or presenting with referred pain, which may include manual massage, static compression, stretching, or use of a massage gun.
Specific rehabilitation exercises Where appropriate, your Chiropractor may recommend specific rehabilitation exercises tailored to your presentation, which may include stretches and exercises of varying intensity.
Regular adjustments Where adjustments are part of your management plan, each visit is tailored to your individual presentation and circumstances on the day.
Progress exams A structured visit to re-evaluate your presentation and review any changes since commencing care. Your Chiropractor will discuss findings with you and, where appropriate, outline options for ongoing management.
Total Health Chiropractic