Headaches, everyone gets them.
Whether it is from lack of water, one too many the night before - or more commonly for some reason that we cannot explain. And our automatic response is? Pop a Panadol, or if it doesn’t go away we may head to the General Practitioner (GP) – with most still proposing medication as the primary source of headache relief. As a chiropractor I find this interesting as I have learnt, from both studying chiropractic at University and now treating patients, that I can help treat, and most of the time, prevent the return of headaches (including migraines). Many of my patients book appointments with me specifically to get relief for their migraines or other types of headaches. It’s remarkable how many people (three million according to 9 News in 2016) suffer from headaches and are not aware that chiropractic treatment could be helping them…helping you!
So why book in for a Chiropractic?
Studies show that a Cervical Adjustment (sometimes referred to as ‘neck cracking’) provides the equivalent relief of propranolol or topiramate1 – common migraine medications. That adjustment gives an average of 30 hours of relief1, decreases the amount of days a patient has a migraine and improves quality of life2. Chiropractic treatment can give further relief when combining this with soft tissue work, as studies have also shown that massage was the equivalent of topiramate and provided better outcomes than someone treated only with medication1.
References.
1. Chaibi,A Tuchin,P Russell,M. Manual therapies for migraine: a systematic review. Journal Of headache Pain. 2011. 12: 127-133.
2. Woodfield,C Becker, W Hasick, G Rose, S. Observed Changes in Quality of Life Measures and Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Parameters in Migraine
Subjects Receiving Chiropractic Care. H Upper Cervical Research Foundation - University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services.
What benefit we'll pay for Chiropractic
We cover chiropractic in all of our Extras policies. Chiropractic is a drug free, surgery free treatment primarily for the musculoskeletal systems (bones, joints, muscles and ligaments) and some of the neurological system (nerves and the spinal cord).~ The below table shows the benefit we'll pay for the level of cover you have.
| Cover | Waiting Periods | Example of benefit | Sub-limit per person, per Membership Year |
| Premium Extras | 2 months |
Initial visit $55 |
700 combined# - This is a combination of chiropractic, remedial massage, myotherapy and osteopathic services.# |
| Essential Extras | 2 months | Initial visit $39 Subsequent visit $25 X-rays (not reading of x-rays) $50 |
$500 combined# - This is a combination of chiropractic, remedial massage, myotherapy and osteopathic services.# |
| Select Extras | 2 months | Initial visit $44 Subsequent visit $28 X-rays (not reading of x-rays) $50 |
$500 per person up to $1,000 per policy combined limit* |
| Young Extras | 2 months | Initial visit $42 Subsequent visit $30 X-rays (not reading of x-rays) $50 |
$300 per therapy $500 per person up to $1,000 per policy |
# Combined sub-limit: the maximum benefit amount claimable per person per Membership Year for a combination of chiropractic, remedial massage, myotherapy and osteopathic services. This is providing an individual person’s overall therapies benefit limit for the Membership Year has not already been reached. Once the overall limit has been reached, no further therapy benefits can be claimed by this individual on any therapy until a new Membership Year commences. Individual benefit limits apply.
* Combined sub-limit: the maximum benefit amount claimable per person per Membership Year for a combination of chiropractic, remedial massage and myotherapy. This is providing an individual person’s overall $2,200 per Membership Year has not already been exceeded and/or the $4,400 per policy limit for all services for the Membership Year under Select Extras has also not already been reached. Once the overall Select Extras limit is reached, no further benefits can be claimed by this individual or anyone else on the policy on any service until new Membership Year commences. Individual visit/service benefit limits apply.
~ Source: Chiropractic Australia