CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments are widely considered safe when performed by a qualified, registered chiropractor. Serious adverse events are rare. The most common side effect is mild local soreness or stiffness for 24 to 48 hours after the first few treatments, which settles on its own. Your chiropractor will assess your medical history and suitability before any adjustment is performed.

Most adjustments are quick and not painful. The technique is fast and targeted, so the joint moves before the muscles have time to tense up. Some patients describe a brief moment of pressure or a sense of release. If a particular joint is acutely inflamed or guarded, we use gentler mobilisation techniques rather than a high-velocity adjustment.

The audible "pop" is called a cavitation. It is the sound of gas bubbles forming and dissolving inside the joint fluid as the joint surfaces are briefly separated. It is not bones cracking or anything being moved out of place. The sound itself is not the goal of treatment, and an adjustment can be effective even if no sound is heard.

Most patients with acute musculoskeletal pain see meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 visits. Longer-standing or more complex conditions may need 6 to 12 visits. Your treatment plan is based on your assessment, response to early sessions and your goals. We do not lock patients into long-term treatment plans without ongoing reassessment.

Yes, when performed by a registered chiropractor after appropriate screening. Cervical adjustments have been studied extensively and the risk of serious adverse events is very low. We screen all patients for any factors that would make a neck adjustment inappropriate and use mobilisation techniques as a safer alternative when indicated.

No. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners in South Africa, which means you can book directly without a GP referral. We are trained to diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, identify when something falls outside our scope and refer you on appropriately if needed.

Many South African medical aids cover chiropractic care, with the level of coverage depending on your plan and your benefits. Coverage typically falls under your day-to-day or savings benefits, with some plans offering specific allied health benefits. Contact us with your medical aid details and we can advise on what your plan covers.

Both professions treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, with significant overlap in the conditions seen and the techniques used. Chiropractors typically place more emphasis on spinal and joint adjustments, while physiotherapists often focus more heavily on exercise rehabilitation. In practice, both work well, and many patients benefit from a combined approach. We use manual therapy alongside structured rehabilitation in every treatment plan.

Many patients feel an immediate change in mobility and pain after their first session. Lasting relief usually builds over the course of 3 to 6 visits as the underlying joint and muscle dysfunction is addressed. Some mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours after the first one or two visits is normal and not a cause for concern.

Yes, gentle movement and your normal exercise routine are usually fine after an adjustment. We sometimes advise avoiding very heavy or high-impact training for 24 hours after a first treatment to let the body settle. Your chiropractor will give you specific advice based on your condition and what was treated.