Is a chiropractor the right first appointment?
Chiropractors assess and manage problems of the muscles, joints and spine — things like a stiff, sore lower back, a neck that is hard to turn, or a shoulder that aches after a long week. If that sounds like your problem and you otherwise feel well, booking directly is reasonable. No GP referral is needed.
Some symptoms belong with a GP or the emergency department first, even if they come with back or neck pain. Booking the wrong appointment wastes your time, so check this list before you book:
- Fever, feeling generally unwell or unexplained weight loss alongside the pain
- Numbness around the groin, or new changes to bladder or bowel control
- Weakness that is getting worse in an arm or leg
- Pain that started after a fall, car accident or other significant injury
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or a sudden severe headache
Choosing a session that fits your week
The clinic runs two sessions on weekdays: 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm. On Saturday we are open from 8am to 12pm. There are no Sunday appointments.
If you are working out when to come in, remember that the first appointment is the long one — about an hour. A morning or Saturday slot gives you room to fill in forms without rushing. Later visits are much shorter, so an afternoon slot on the way home is often easier once care is under way.
Live availability is shown in our online booking system. If nothing suits, call reception on (02) 9622 5652 and they will look at options with you.
What the first two visits involve
At the first visit, reception will help you complete a few details. Your chiropractor then asks about the problem — when it started, what makes it better or worse, your general health and medications — and examines you. That can include posture, orthopaedic and neurological tests, and muscle strength and length checks.
Depending on what they find, you may be asked to have an x-ray before any treatment. That is a clinical decision, not a routine step for everyone.
The second visit is a report of findings, taking about 30 minutes. Your chiropractor explains what they think is going on, whether chiropractic care is likely to be suitable, and what a plan would involve. If your problem needs a different practitioner, they will say so and refer you.
Arriving at the clinic
The clinic is on Bungarribee Road in Blacktown. Parking is available at the clinic and there is disabled ramp access at the entrance. If you need a hand getting in, or would like someone to come with you into the consultation, mention it when you book.
For directions, use the map link on this page; it gives you a live route rather than a fixed estimate, which matters at school pick-up and peak times.
A short checklist before you book
A few minutes of preparation makes the first consultation more useful:
- Write down when the problem started and anything that seemed to trigger it
- List your medications, including blood thinners
- Bring any recent scans or reports, or the name of the imaging practice
- If you have a DVA card or a GP referral under the Enhanced Primary Care program, bring it
- Wear comfortable clothes you can move in