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Back pain can make everyday life harder, whether it’s sitting at your desk, driving the Hume Freeway commute, exercising, lifting the kids or getting through a busy weekend. If you’re looking for a chiropractor near Beveridge, The Chiropractic Co. Kilmore welcomes people from Beveridge and the surrounding communities.
This guide covers common causes of back pain, when it makes sense to see a chiropractor, when you should see a GP first, what happens at a first appointment, and how to get to our Kilmore clinic from Beveridge.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Back Pain?
Chiropractic care may be an option for some people with musculoskeletal back pain. At your first visit, a chiropractor asks about your symptoms and health history, assesses how you move, and then talks through the care options that suit you.
Depending on your situation, care can include manual chiropractic techniques, soft tissue work, rehabilitation exercises and practical advice on movement and daily activities. Not everyone with back pain needs the same approach, and a good assessment also works out whether chiropractic care is the right fit or whether you’d be better served by a GP or another health professional.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Sometimes there’s an obvious trigger, such as lifting something heavy or taking a fall. Often it builds up gradually.
- Long periods of sitting. Desk work, working from home and long drives can leave your back stiff and sore. Changing position regularly and taking short movement breaks helps.
- Lifting and repetitive activities. Picking up kids, gardening, moving furniture, and repeated bending or twisting all load the back. Lifting close to your body and building up activity gradually can reduce the strain.
- Muscle and joint strain. Strains and joint irritation can range from mild morning stiffness to persistent pain that limits movement.
- Previous injuries. Falls, sports injuries and workplace incidents can contribute to ongoing back pain. How you should respond depends on the type and severity of the injury.
- Reduced activity. Moving less can affect strength and mobility. Returning to movement gradually is often part of managing back pain.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?
There’s no single type of back pain that automatically needs a chiropractor, but it’s worth booking an assessment if you’re dealing with:
- Lower back stiffness or discomfort
- Pain that comes on with everyday movements like bending, getting out of the car or standing up from a chair
- Pain after sport, gardening, lifting or other activity
- Reduced mobility
- Back pain that keeps coming back
- Pain that’s affecting your work, exercise or sleep
Sciatica and Disc-Related Back Pain
Sometimes back pain comes with symptoms that travel into the buttock or leg. Sciatica is one example, and it can have several different causes, so the right approach depends on your symptoms.
If you’ve been told you have a bulging or herniated disc, bring any scans or reports to your appointment and tell your chiropractor what you’ve been diagnosed with and what symptoms you’re having. Disc-related symptoms vary a lot from person to person, so your chiropractor will assess you individually, explain whether chiropractic care is suitable, and refer you on if another health professional should be involved.
When to See a GP or Other Health Professional First
Back pain isn’t always a chiropractic concern. Seek medical care promptly if your back pain comes with any of the following:
- New or worsening weakness in the legs
- Significant numbness, including numbness in the groin or saddle area
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe symptoms after significant trauma, such as a car accident or a bad fall
- Fever or signs of infection
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Any symptoms that make you feel seriously unwell
If you have a loss of bladder or bowel control or sudden severe symptoms, go to an emergency department or call 000. If there’s any concern about a serious underlying condition, medical assessment comes first.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Knowing what to expect makes the first visit easier. At The Chiropractic Co. Kilmore, your first appointment takes about 30 minutes and usually includes:
- Health history. We ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and your general health.
- Physical assessment. Your chiropractor checks how you move and tests the areas relevant to your symptoms. Wear comfortable clothing so you can move in.
- Postural assessment. Where relevant, we look at posture and movement patterns.
- X-rays, only when clinically indicated. Imaging isn’t needed for everyone with back pain. If your chiropractor thinks it’s useful, they’ll explain why.
- Discussion of care options. We explain what we found in plain language and talk through the options that suit you.
- Ongoing review. We check your progress over time and adjust recommendations as needed.
There’s no set number of visits that applies to everyone. Your chiropractor should explain their recommendations and review your progress rather than promise a specific outcome or number of appointments.
For more information about “What Should You Expect From Your First Chiropractic Adjustment“, read our full guide.
Costs, Health Cards and Booking
- First appointment fee: $79
- Standard follow-up appointments: $80
- Private health or medicare cards: Most private health providers will have coverage for chiropractic care which will allow you to claim back a portion if not all of the visit amount with your private healthcare card. As for medicare, your medicare card can be used by seeing a GP for a referred health care plan (if indicated) for up to 5 covered sessions per year.
- Referral needed? No referral is needed to see a chiropractor.
Book online or call 03 5769 1712.
Getting to Our Kilmore Clinic From Beveridge
Our clinic is at 6/11 Sydney Street, Kilmore. From Beveridge, the drive takes about 18 minutes via Northern Highway.
If you’re coming from nearby suburbs such as Wallan or Wandong, the clinic is approximately 11 minutes drive time.
See our Kilmore clinic page for opening hours and directions.
Meet the Chiropractors
Dr Trish Meanger holds a Bachelor of Health Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chiropractic). Her experience includes pregnancy, paediatric and family care, myofascial dry needling, manual adjustments, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation. Her approach combines manual chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation techniques.
If you’re pregnant and considering chiropractic care, tell your chiropractor about your pregnancy and health history before you start so they can choose appropriate techniques.
Dr Sal Yusuf holds a Bachelor of Health Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chiropractic) and has worked as a chiropractor for nearly a decade in Victoria and Queensland. He takes an evidence-based approach with a focus on helping people move better, build strength and get back to the activities that matter to them. His experience includes working with people who have chronic pain and mobility concerns.
Simple Ways to Look After Your Back
Chiropractic care is one part of looking after your back. Everyday habits matter too.
- Keep moving. Unless a health professional has told you otherwise, long periods of rest usually don’t help. Gentle activity like walking helps you keep moving and rebuild capacity.
- Change positions often. If you sit for work, stand up, walk around and vary your position through the day.
- Check your workstation. Chair, desk, monitor and keyboard should be set up so you’re comfortable, and regular movement breaks help break up long stretches of sitting.
- Build exercise gradually. If you’re coming back after an injury or a break from training, increase your load step by step and pay attention to how your body responds.
For general information on back pain, see Healthdirect’s back pain guide and Better Health Channel’s back pain page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chiropractic care may suit some people with musculoskeletal lower back pain. Your chiropractor will assess your symptoms and health history before discussing whether it’s right for you.
Sciatica has different causes. A chiropractor can assess your symptoms and tell you whether chiropractic care is appropriate or whether you should be referred to another health professional.
Suitability and technique choice depend on your circumstances. Discuss your pregnancy and health history with your chiropractor before starting care.
Not necessarily. Imaging depends on your symptoms and clinical circumstances.
There’s no standard number. It depends on your symptoms, goals and how you respond, and whether another health professional needs to be involved.
No referral is needed to book with a chiropractor.
See a GP or seek urgent care if back pain comes with significant weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, major trauma, fever, unexplained weight loss or other concerning symptoms.
Looking for a Chiropractor Near Beveridge?
The Chiropractic Co. Kilmore is a nearby option for people in Beveridge and surrounding areas who want to talk about back pain, mobility concerns or other musculoskeletal issues. Our chiropractors, including Dr Trish Meanger and Dr Sal Yusuf, take an individual approach based on your circumstances.
Book online or call 03 5769 1712.
The Chiropractic Co. Kilmore | 6/11 Sydney Street, Kilmore VIC 3764 03 5769 1712