Getting to know how this clinic works . . .

WELCOME!

After reading this brochure, you will be able to help us run the clinic as smoothly as possible, so that every patient receives the appropriate and personal care they deserve.

ON ARRIVAL

Go straight to reception and give your name, appointment time and the name of the doctor you have arranged to see. If sitting increases your pain, or you are in considerable pain, inform the receptionist so that appropriate arrangements can be made to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

MAKING APPOINTMENTS

The less time spent at the reception desk after you have been adjusted the better, so after your first visit, try to pay on your way in. Once your visit schedule has been discussed with you, make a series of appointments in advance, and this will further reduce waiting time at the reception desk. You will also be more likely to get appointment times that are most convenient for you. If there is a day that is most convenient for you but the appointment book is full, we do have a waiting list in which we can add you to temporarily until an appropriate appointment becomes available.

CHANGING APPOINTMENTS

We make a series of appointments for you based on your total examination findings. If you keep these visits as arranged, you will progress without the backsliding that nearly always accompanies irregular appointments. We strongly recommend that you only change an appointment if it is absolutely necessary. If it is, change the appointment to the day before or the day after the booked appointment and thus maintain the regularity of care. We require six clinic hours notification if you wish to change your appointment to a different day. This is only fair to the patients who can’t get an appointment because the appointment book is full. A charge is normally made if this request is not observed.

TIME

Allow at most one hour for your examination visits, thereafter 40 minutes should be sufficient for each visit. Being on time helps us to stay on time. Almost every day some patient(s) require additional time (it could be you some day) so we may be behind schedule. We highly advise for all our patients to come 10-15 minutes prior to their appointment time, thus allowing sufficient time for parking as there is only street parking available near the clinic.

HOURS

Our normal practice hours are from 8am to 6pm Monday through to Thursday, excluding lunch hours, and 8am to 12 noon most Saturdays. The clinic is closed Fridays.

PAYMENT

Our fees, a copy of which is displayed at reception, are based on payment on the day of service. Running on this basis decreases the cost of your chiropractic care but alternative arrangements may be made with the individual doctor you see if this financial system causes any problems.

EHANCED PRIMARY CARE (EPC)

Dr Huw accepts the EPC plans issued by your GP. Dr Russell does not. If you have an EPC please inform the CA when booking your appointment. We do not accept the EPC for your initial consultation. The most common misconception regarding the EPC’s is that the visit is totally free. This is not the case. It is the same as bulk-billing with your GP. Some GP’s will bulk-bill, but most will now charge the gap. Some Allied Health practitioner do not charge the gap fee. At George St Chiropractic we do charge the gap fee.

DRESS

Loose fitting clothing without sequins or other embellishments is ideal for patients about to be adjusted. If necessary, use one of the open-backed gowns provided. Slip-on shoes are a definite advantage.

IN THE ADJUSTING ROOM

Lie down unless that position aggravates your problem. To be ready for spinal care, loosen your clothes and remove earrings, chains, wallets, keys, necklaces, belts and wallets. Change into a gown if you need to do so.

X-RAY AND REPORTS

From your first appointment onwards, please bring any relevant information including medical reports and x-ray films. An x-ray referral can be provided if requested by the individual doctor you see.

STAGES OF SPINAL CARE

1. Relief care, where the primary aim is to reduce acute nerve irritation and associated pain.

2. Spinal normalising, where the primary aim is to return your spine to as balanced a state as possible. In this state all the holding structures are under the least possible amount of strain and the nerve impulses are more likely to flow freely to all parts of your body.

3. Maintenance care, where your visits are progressively spread as far apart as possible while you maintain good spinal and general health, both of which are dependent on an efficiently functioning nervous system.

REFERRING OTHERS FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

As you start experiencing the benefits of your nervous system functioning correctly, it’s natural that you will want to tell others about this safe and non-forceful approach to restoring and maintaining health. Ask for appropriate pamphlets that clearly show how relevant the spine and nervous system are to our health and well-being.

Occasionally, a referred patient cannot see their preferred doctor promptly as they are very busy and fully booked. In this situation, we encourage a referred patient to have their first appointment (consultation, examination) with the first available doctor and then continue care with their preferred doctor.

CHILDREN

Their young spine need care as much as adult ones, if not more. Some spinal and skeletal problems are set up in childhood through falls and sporting activities and they are easily fixed if adjusted at that time. If left, these can become more severe later in life.

A REQUEST

Use little deodorant and perfume in the clinic as possible- many patients come with hypersensitivities to such substances.