Index
Chiropractic Teaching Clinics
The Chiropractic Teaching Clinics offer gentle, safe chiropractic assessment, care and management for a range of health problems as well as health promotion and rehabilitation from injury.
What is chiropractic?
A chiropractor is a 'conservative spinal care expert with a specialised approach to examination and diagnosis' 1 Chiropractors collaborate with other members of the health care team.
Chiropractic focuses on disorders and injuries of the Joint, muscular and nervous systems, and their effect on general health and quality of life (wellness). Chiropractors emphasise the significant relationship between the spine and the nervous system and also treat injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, and the hip, knee, ankle and foot.
Chiropractic patients are managed principally by spinal adjustment, other manual treatments, exercise and patient education on lifestyle, nutrition and prevention of injury. This IS done without the use of drugs or surgery, enabling the patient to avoid these wherever possible. You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor.
Chiropractors provide a balanced approach to health care that centres around the patient and their needs. We highlight the self-healing power of the body and the necessity for personal responsibility in the maintenance of health and well-being.
1 World Federation of Chiropractic, 2005
Who can benefit from chiropractic?
Published research studies demonstrate positive outcomes for patients with low back pain, neck pain and headache. There are also many case studies published that report positive outcomes for patients with a range of other conditions and health concerns. Patients who present for treatment of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort often report positive changes in other aspects of their health.
Chiropractors are trained to conduct a thorough physical assessment and to reach a working diagnosis that will best assist in providing the most effective treatment plan. If the clinical findings indicate that another health care professional may be more appropriate then the patient will be referred.
Chiropractic at RMIT
RMIT is a leader in Chiropractic tertiary education offering the world's first government-supported chiropractic program. In 2005 the program celebrates its 30th anniversary. It is offered as a five-year program consisting of a three-year Bachelor of Applied Science in Complementary Medicine and a two-year Master of Clinical Chiropractic.
What to expect
Patients receive assessment, care and treatment from senior students in the five-year RMIT chiropractic program, under the supervision of experienced clinical educators and clinicians who are registered chiropractors in the state of Victoria.
Depending on the presenting condition and the clinical findings identified by the student and clinician, the patient may be:
- offered an appropriate plan of conservative chiropractic care.
- referred to other providers in the health care team.
- asked to have X-rays taken, either within the chiropractic clinic under the supervision of a licensed radiographer or within one of many radiology clinics in the community.
The progress of the patient is monitored and documented at every visit and treatment may be changed in response to various outcomes measures.
A confidential health record is held on every patient and the clinic conforms to the requirements of relevant privacy legislation. If required, a report of findings may be prepared with the patient's permission for the patient and their other health care providers.
Community Clinics
Chiropractic is in partnership with Hands on Health Australia to provide chiropractic care to people who are socially or financially disadvantaged. These services are available at St Kilda and Collingwood.
Clinic hours
Bundoora
Monday – Friday: 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am - 12.00 noon
St Kilda
Monday, Wednesday: 1.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Collingwood
Wednesday, Friday: 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm
Fees
General public
First visit - $30; return visit - $25
Concession holder
Concession, student, RMIT staff, emergency services:
First visit - $20; return visit - $15
St Kilda and Collingwood
Gold coin donation (if possible)
Location
Bundoora
RMIT Bundoora Campus
Building 213, Plenty Road, Bundoora (enter from McKimmies Road)
St Kilda
101 Grey St, St Kilda
Collingwood
46 Otter St, Collingwood (Cnr Wellington and Otter)
Information and appointments
Bundoora: tel. (03) 9925 7666
St Kilda: tel. (03) 9536 8492
Collingwood: tel. (03) 9486 9242