faq about chiropractic in singapore
Frequently asked questions and common misconceptions about chiropractic treatments in singapore. Find answers to your pain through natural chiropractic treatment today.
Table of Contents
About Chiropractic Care
What is the price of chiropractic care?
The price of chiropractic care really depends on your spinal health and the severity of your pain. On a single-adjustment basis, each adjustment is $110. However, if you decide to take up a care plan, each adjustment is then a lot more cost-effective. Also, being under a care plan, any additional adjustment sessions that you may require will be free of charge. Read more
What if I don't see any results from chiropractic care?
A lot of the factors that will determine how quickly you respond to chiropractic care have to do with your age, habits, and how long you’ve had the pain.
Healing takes time. If you feel your symptoms are getting worse over time, please flag this up to our chiropractors so they can have your re-assessed.
As our practice member, we do not charge additional fees if you require more adjustments during your care.
Must I commit to a program?
You do not have to commit to a program in order to receive chiropractic care from us. We have patients who come in for pay per visit adjustments. While a single chiropractic adjustment may provide temporary relief, unless you address the underlying issue, your pain will continually come back, and you will never get rid of the pain.
With care plans in place, not only do you save in cost, you also get a more holistic care. Our chiropractic care plans include adjustments schedule, re-examinations, customised exercises and not forgetting member perks with our partners that you get to enjoy.
If you are experiencing pain, it is unlikely that it happened overnight, but rather, more possible due to an accumulation of bad habits and injuries over a course of time. It is therefore unrealistic that it can be easily resolved via one-off and sporadic pain-management.
Will there be re-examinations?
Yes! These will be scheduled as part of your tailored program to monitor your progress. We go through the results with you so you are aware of your own progress. These results also help us understand whether the current care plan is working for you, or change is required.
First chiropractic check-up
Why do I need a spinal check-up?
Everyone’s condition is different, and it is critical that we diagnose the severity of misalignments in your spine to develop the best care plan for your pain.
Receiving chiropractic adjustments without being checked is not safe. Your safety is of utmost importance to us.
How long is the spinal check-up?
Your check-up includes two sessions with the chiropractor. The first session will last around 40 minutes and comprises:
- An initial consultation with the Chiropractor to understand your history and pain points; and
- A series of comprehensive spinal tests.
The Chiropractor may require you to take spinal X-rays after the first session depending on your condition. We work with third-party off-site radiology partners for this.
The second session will last around 45 minutes and the Chiropractor will run through results of your tests and X-rays, and recommend if chiropractic care is suitable for your condition. Learn more about our spinal check-up process.
Why are X-rays necessary for chiropractic care?
X-rays are one of the best ways to visually understand and diagnose spinal misalignments. While our Chiropractors can detect misalignments during palpation, X-rays show the severity of degeneration or misalignment.
This will allow our Chiropractors to accurately and safely understand your condition and the adjustments required.
In certain conditions (e.g. pregnancy, very young children) where X-rays are not advisable, our chiropractors will utilise other tools to understand the degree of spinal misalignment.
I have an old x-ray, is it necessary to take another scan?
It depends on the views of your X-rays that were taken and the date. We usually require X-rays that are taken within 6-8 months for us to make an accurate assessment of your current spinal health. This helps us better understand your condition and how best we can help relieve your pain. Regardless, do bring along your existing X-rays to your spinal check-up if you have!
About Chiropractic adjustments
Do chiropractic adjustments work?
We will not force chiropractic care on patients if we think chiropractic is not a suitable method for their pain-management. Every person is unique and depending on how quickly our bodies react to chiropractic adjustments, some people may feel the effects sooner than the rest.
Chiropractic is a long-term commitment and it takes time for our bodies to respond.
Are chiropractic adjustments painful?
Adjustments to certain joints in the spine or extremities may feel slightly uncomfortable, but once the adjustment is performed, you should not feel pain. If it is your first adjustment, you may experience slight soreness or discomfort for 12-24 hours following the first adjustment. During the process of an adjustment, there is a chance that you will hear a “cracking” and “popping” sound that occurs as your spine is manipulated.
Do chiropractors "crack" bones?
Chiropractors do not crack bones. The sound associated with a chiropractic adjustment is not important; an effective adjustment can be delivered with no audible sound. During a chiropractic adjustment, the tissues are stretched out, “popping” the air pocket, which then creates a cracking sound. That said, it is normal to hear a “popping” or “cracking” sound during an adjustment.
I can crack my own neck and back. Why do i need a chiropractor?
When you crack your neck and back, you are haphazardly manipulating and straining the muscles around your spine to forcefully cause the crack. The greatest risk with this is creating hyper-mobility of the joints, which could lead to increased pain, and predispose you to increased vulnerability at the joints.
When a non-trained person assist in cracking a friend’s back, they can exert a force that’s too hard, leading to muscle injury (such as a sprain).
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes. At Chiropractic Singapore, we have one of the most comprehensive tests to give us the best holistic view of your spinal condition. Additionally, we do not perform any adjustments until the X-ray reports are in, so we know exactly where and how to make the adjustments. Coupled with the long history of chiropractic training, which goes back more than a century ago, and our decades of practical experience, you can trust that your safety is our top priority.
Can I go for chiropractic adjustments even after a surgery?
Depending on the type of surgery you have undergone, you may or may not receive chiropractic adjustments as part of your recovery plans. Speak to us about your health history and we will advise if chiropractic care is suitable.
How many adjustments will I need?
To answer this question, we will first need to do a comprehensive check-up and examination with one of our chiropractors.
Symptoms related to chiropractic care
Can chiropractic treat knee pain?
First, you need to understand the root cause of knee pain. Chiropractic care can provide relief if the issue stems from a spinal misalignment. A common misconception is that chiropractic care cannot provide pain-relief at the knee because the knee and spine are not correlated. Misalignment of the spine can lead to one-side leaning, imbalance of muscles, and over time can lead to pain in the knees / hips / feet.
I notice my neck is longer than usual, could this be the reason for my frequent neck pain?
There are many possible causes of neck pain, but to find the underlying cause, you would need to see a healthcare provider and have a thorough history taken and an examination done. Read more.
What can be the cause if I have pain on my shoulder blade?
Many things can cause pain in or around the shoulder blade, but it’s difficult to tell what the underlying cause of your pain is without the appropriate examination to diagnose the issue.
What is TMJ pain disorder?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint; it acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. The bones are separated by a disc of cartilage to keep your jaw moving smoothly. When those muscles get irritated, the disc is displaced. Common symptoms, popping, a clicking sound or sensation, muscle pain, and being unable to open your jaw wide.
There are many factors that can cause dysfunction of this joint which can lead to pain (e.g. misalignment in the jaw itself, or in the upper cervical spine). During an adjustment, chiropractors will focus on the TMJ and your upper cervical spine. In some cases, we may help with external muscle release if necessary.
I still feel back and neck pain even when I tried to sit in a correct posture, is that normal?
Unfortunately, yes, that can be the case and that is a sign that the postural muscles are weak and under-worked. You can work on strengthening them by strengthening the core (which stabilizes the low back) and postural muscles. Read more
How does muscle inflammation / spasm happen?
These are two separate problems.
Muscle inflammation can be caused by: infection, injury, autoimmune conditions, and drug side effects. The 5 signs of inflammation are: redness, increased heat, swelling–which eventually leads to pain–which leads to loss of function.
Muscle spasms/cramps occur when a muscle involuntary and forcibly contracts and cannot relax. They can be caused by: overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period (like sitting in the same position all day)!
Can chiropractic treat slipped (herniated) disc?
Chiropractic care cannot reverse a herniated disc, but chiropractic care can reduce painful symptoms as an alternative solution to surgery, drugs or other treatment options. Read more
Can chiropractic treat scoliosis / "slanted spine"
Scoliosis has varying severities and commonly, the older you get, the harder it is to correct your scoliosis. Regardless, chiropractic care is still a great way to relieve the pain and tightness associated with scoliosis. Read more
What is the difference between chiropractic care and other alternative modalities?
Chiropractic care vs osteopathy
Osteopathy shares many similarities with chiropractic. Both modalities believe that the ailments or pain your body are a result of the structural issues in your body that are negatively affecting our bodily functions.
The primary difference between chiropractic care and osteopathy is that, while chiropractors are primarily focused on the spine, osteopaths are more concerned with the whole body.
In short, a chiropractor uses manipulative techniques to adjust your spine and joint position to improve nerve function and the ability to heal while osteopaths use massages, manipulation and stretching to help re-balance the body structure. Read more
Chiropractic care vs Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy focuses on treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. You are heavily involved in your own recovery with specific exercise prescribed to aid in restoring mobility and function. On the other hand, chiropractic focuses on the spine and nervous system. Read more
Chiropractic care vs Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
TCM is a branch of traditional medicine that is based on Chinese medical practice for thousands of years. Approaches include, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tui na (推拿).
One of the approaches known as tie da (铁打), or “bone setting” appears to be similar to chiropractic adjustment. However, while the biomechanical adjustment may look similar, the basic belief system and approach to care differ significantly from chiropractic because it is not focused on the nervous system. Read more
Chiropractic care vs Massage Therapy
Typically, if it’s a soft tissue (muscle, ligament, tendon) problem, massage can be very helpful in relieving pain and helping to relax tight, stiff muscles. However, if it’s an alignment issue, the pain typically comes back in a day or two. Do note that massage may potentially aggravate problems such as inflamed muscles, slipped discs, making the pain more intense.
Chiropractic care aims to address the underlying cause of your pain by focusing on your spine to keep your body and nervous system at an optimal level.
Chiropractic care vs Medication
Pain relievers help relieve symptoms of joint pain and swelling and provide immediate symptomatic relief for acute pain.
While pain relievers are effective at providing relief, they do not address the root cause of the problem. In fact, long-term use of opioids can lead to dependence on these drugs and, worse, addiction. Research has shown that addiction to pain medication has long-term physical effects such as lowered immunity, gastrointestinal problems, impaired mental function, among others.
Chiropractic is a drug-free approach that relieves pain through manual chiropractic adjustments, supplemented by exercises to increase joint mobility. Read more
Chiropractic vs Pain-Relief Patches
Pain-relief patches are transdermal analgesics (or painkillers) used to provide temporary relief of minor aches and pain.
For muscle aches caused by activity (e.g. sports, marathons) or improper lifting of heavy objects, these patches serve as a cost-effective approach to finding relief. However, these provide only a temporary relief that is not the long-term solution for recurring pain.
Chiropractic goes beyond providing temporary relief to diagnose your condition and works on addressing spinal misalignments.
Chiropractic care vs Exercise
Exercises such as Yoga and Pilates are great as they incorporate stretches and exercises to strengthen your back and core muscles, which consequently help you hold a better posture. These exercises also increase joint mobility and range of motion.
However, these exercises are unable to address and adjust spinal misalignments. Think about how brushing your teeth regularly is good dental hygiene, but is unable to straighten your teeth.
We complement chiropractic adjustments with exercises to help strengthen muscles and ligaments that support the spine to better hold the adjustments.
Have another question?
Get in touch and hear from our chiropractors.
