Chiropractor for Woolloongabba Residents and Workers

Sitting isn’t the enemy, and you don’t need to hold yourself perfectly upright all day. Research hasn’t found one correct posture that prevents pain (Slater et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019). What tends to help more is changing positions often, getting up regularly and staying generally active. A stiff upper back or sore neck at the end of a working day is often your body telling you it’s been in one position too long.

The complaints we commonly assess in office and hybrid workers include neck pain and stiffness, upper and lower back pain, tension-type headaches, shoulder and hip discomfort, and joint stiffness after long drives. Disc-related back pain, sciatica, and whiplash after a car accident are other common reasons people see a chiropractor. If you have dizziness or vertigo, please see your GP first. Vertigo has many possible causes, including inner ear and other medical conditions.

A few simple changes can help while you work out what’s going on. Set a reminder to get up and move regularly, even if it’s just to refill your water bottle. Many people also find it more comfortable to raise their screen closer to eye level, keep the keyboard and mouse within easy reach, and take some calls on their feet. If you commute by car, a short walk before you sit back down at your desk can break up a long stretch of sitting.

Your body is built to move, and small amounts of movement spread through the day often feel better than one long session after work. Regular physical activity also supports your general health, which matters for how your body copes with long working days.

People often wonder whether to see a chiropractor, a physio or your GP first. If you’re unwell, have had a significant injury, or have any of the warning signs listed further down this page, start with your GP. For many everyday back and neck complaints, chiropractors and physiotherapists both assess and manage similar problems, and what matters most is a thorough assessment and a clear plan. If we think another practitioner is the better fit, we’ll tell you.

Back problems are common. In the ABS 2022 National Health Survey, 15.7% of Australians reported back problems, making it the second most common chronic condition after mental and behavioural conditions.

Headaches and Long Days at a Screen

Tension-type headaches are one of the more common complaints we see in people who spend long hours at a screen. They often feel like a dull, band-like pressure across the forehead or at the base of the skull, and they can build through the day as tension in the shoulders and upper body increases. Not all headaches are musculoskeletal, though. If your headaches are new, severe or getting worse, or come with changes to your vision, numbness or confusion, please see your GP first.

Injuries from Sport, Gardening, and Everyday Life

Not every complaint starts at the desk. We also assess sprains, strains and other injuries from weekend sport, gym training, gardening and lifting at home. Pain after an injury is often your body’s way of protecting the area, and staying gently active is usually part of recovery. We’ll explain what we find, what’s likely contributing to your pain, and which treatment options may suit you.

Older injuries can matter too, so let us know about any previous injuries, surgery or ongoing health conditions at your first visit. This information helps us plan treatment that suits you.

Your first visit is about understanding what’s going on. We break it into three simple steps.

The examination usually includes posture and movement checks plus functional, neurological and orthopaedic tests. At your second visit, you’ll get a Report of Findings in a folder. It explains your examination results and a recommended plan, and you’re welcome to ask as many questions as you need.

If you’re a new patient with recent scan reports or other information from your GP, you can email them to us before your visit.

Treatment Options We May Discuss with You

If chiropractic care looks suitable, your chiropractor will talk you through options before anything starts, and you can say yes or no to each one. Depending on your assessment, these may include spinal adjustments or gentler mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, home exercises and advice on movement, work setup and day-to-day habits.

Your care plan should suit your actual clinical needs, your budget and your schedule. We review it as we go, and the number of visits depends on how you respond. Nobody can promise a set result, and we won’t either.

Before any treatment starts, we’ll explain what’s involved, the possible benefits and risks, and any alternatives, so you have the information you need to decide. You can ask questions or change your mind at any time.

Chiropractic treatment is one part of your care. Depending on your goals, we may also suggest exercises, changes to your work setup, or treatment from another health professional.

When We Refer You to Your GP or for Imaging

Most back and neck pain doesn’t need scans. Australia’s Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard (2022) says imaging has a limited role and should be kept for when it’s likely to change how you’re managed. If we need more information, we may refer you for an X-ray, or ask your GP to arrange a CT or MRI.

We also refer you to your GP or another health professional, such as a physiotherapist or podiatrist, when that’s the better option. Please seek medical care urgently if you have new bladder or bowel problems, numbness around the groin or buttocks, worsening leg weakness, fever with back or neck pain, a sudden severe headache, or pain after a serious accident. In an emergency, call 000.

We open from 7:30 am on weekdays, so you can come in before work. We also have evening appointments until 7 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, until 6:30 pm on Wednesday, and Saturday mornings from 8 am to 12 pm. We’re closed Friday afternoons and Sundays.

If none of these times suit, contact us and we’ll let you know the next available appointment.