A recent publication in the Medical Journal of Australia has suggested that GP’s and Chiropractors take a team approach to patient management. It stated that whilst 4% of GP’s referred patients to Chiropractors, only 3% of referrals occurred in the other direction. This blog is focused on bridging that gap whilst also educating patients on Chiropractic.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints and muscles. Chiropractors abide by statutory regulations which ensure that patient safety and management is of prime importance.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is reached through a thorough examination including:
· Case history
· Physical Examination
· Orthopedic and neurological examination
· Postural assessment
· X-rays or other imaging modalities when necessary
Conditions suitable for treatment
The majority of back pain is mechanical in origin and therefore can be treated by a Chiropractor as the primary care physician. However, a referral letter from the patients GP together with details of any other investigations will be helpful to your Chiropractor. It is also important that Chiropractors keep GP’s informed of any developments or findings during patient management.
Chiropractors treat patients of various ages. Some of the conditions which are suitable for chiropractic treatment include:
· Neck pain
· Cervicogenic headache
· Thoracic spine pain
· Low back pain
· Nerve pain
· Extremity pain
In summary, it is vital that Chiropractors and GP’s break down their professional barriers and a multi-disciplinary ‘team approach’ is utilised. Communication between the two professions is critical for the progression of the healthcare system and will only result in benefit to patients.
Further information:
https://www.mja.com.au/insight/2013/43/chiropractors-gps-told-team
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2013/199/10/chiropractic-observation-and-analysis-study-coast-providing-understanding
