What actually happens during my first visit?

Your initial consultation starts with detailed history-taking, followed by a thorough physical, neurological and orthopedic examination, your modesty is preserved throughout, and gowns are provided where necessary. If you have prior scans, X-rays, or specialist letters, bring them along; if further imaging is ever warranted, we can refer you locally. By the end of your visit, you'll leave with a clear explanation of what's going on and a considered plan forward. Treatment is usually provided on the initial consultation given the case is deemed within our scope of care.

How many sessions will I need before I notice a difference?

Every case is different, but as a general guide, most patients suffering from nerve pain notice a change in their symptoms within 6-10 visits. Once the nerve has been decompressed and the inflammation around the neural tissue is reduced, the body's own healing processes can start to work much more rapidly, which is often where patients notice the biggest shift. Longer-standing or chronic presentations understandably take more time, why nerve recovery takes time explains the biology behind this., as nerve damage typically can last for several months to, in some cases, years. We'll give you a specific timeframe once your assessment is complete.

How does chiropractic care help with nerve pain?

Nerve pain often stems from compression or irritation somewhere along the nerve's pathway, whether the irritation is to a joint, pressure, from a disc or tightened surrounding muscles. By identifying exactly where that irritation originates and combining manual therapy with functional rehabilitation and neural mobilisation, we aim to relieve pressure on the nerve and support its function returning to normal over time.

How is nerve pain actually diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history, followed by a hands-on neurological and orthopedic examination, testing reflexes, strength, sensation, and how your specific symptoms behave with movement and provocation. This is what actually localises where along the nerve's pathway the irritation is coming from. Imaging such as an MRI or ultrasound can be a useful part of the picture where it's clinically warranted, but it's used alongside the physical examination, not as a replacement for it, a scan on its own doesn't tell us how a nerve is actually functioning.

What kinds of nerve-related conditions do you see?

We see a wide range of nerve-related presentations, including sciatica, disc-related nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital and Guyon's canal syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome, meralgia paraesthetica, Morton's neuroma, and other peripheral nerve entrapments, alongside general spinal and postural presentations that irritate nerves indirectly. Every case starts with an assessment to confirm what's actually going on before any treatment plan is built.

Is chiropractic care safe for nerve pain?

For most nerve-related musculoskeletal presentations, chiropractic care is generally considered a safe, conservative option. Treatment is adapted to your specific presentation, including low-force techniques where a nerve is highly irritated or sensitised, and we screen for red flags that would need onward referral rather than conservative care. As with any treatment, individual suitability depends on your specific history and presentation, which is exactly what your initial assessment is for.

Are there symptoms that mean I should see a doctor urgently, not book a chiropractic appointment?

Yes. Most nerve pain responds well to conservative care, but a small number of symptoms and history factors warrant prompt medical attention rather than a routine booking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area (the inner thighs, groin, or around the genitals), which can indicate cauda equina syndrome; progressive or rapidly worsening weakness; symptoms affecting both legs at once; fever alongside new or worsening pain; a current or previous history of cancer; a history of inflammatory arthritis alongside neck pain or new neurological symptoms; or unexplained, significant weight loss. If any of these apply to you, please see a GP or present to an emergency department rather than booking with us. We screen for these red flags as part of every initial assessment.

Do I need a referral from my GP to book an appointment?

No, our doors are open to everybody. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners registered with AHPRA, so you can book directly.

Can you still help if I have osteoporosis, or I'm recovering from surgery?

Yes, in both cases. For osteoporosis or generally fragile bone density, we modify our approach with gentler soft tissue techniques, low-force mobilisation, and decompression therapy. For post-surgical cases, spinal fusion or micro discectomies, for example, we treat more delicately, with your surgeon's timeframe and any complications shaping the pace of your rehabilitation.

Can I claim private health insurance on the day, and what will it cover?

Yes, bring your physical or digital private health insurance card and we can process your rebate on the spot. Coverage varies significantly between insurers and the level of cover you've selected, so it's worth checking your Product Disclosure Statement or calling your fund directly if you want an exact figure before you visit.

Back to Clinical InsightsOur Methodology

Chiropractic vs Physiotherapy for Nerve Pain

Aret AboulianChiropractor

January 19, 2025•7 min read

Both professions treat nerve-related pain, and there's no single 'better' answer, understanding what each typically focuses on can help you decide where to start. How many sessions nerve pain typically needs is a practical follow-up question., or whether you might benefit from both. Book a first session to discuss which approach suits your presentation..

Two Different Professions, Overlapping Territory

Chiropractors and physiotherapists are both AHPRA-registered practitioners who commonly treat nerve pain treatment presentations. in Australia, and both commonly see and treat nerve-related presentations like sciatica, disc-related pain, and peripheral nerve entrapments. Neither profession has exclusive ownership of 'nerve pain' as a condition, and there's considerable overlap in what both can offer.

The differences that do exist are more about typical training emphasis. Both professions increasingly use functional rehabilitation for nerve pain as a core component. and common treatment style than a strict, universal rule, individual practitioners within either profession vary a great deal. See what our treatment approach includes for how we approach nerve pain specifically. depending on their own further training and clinical interests.

What Chiropractic Care Typically Emphasises

Chiropractic training tends to place strong emphasis on manual, hands-on assessment and treatment of the spine and joints, often including manual therapy and adjustments, soft tissue work, and, in our practice specifically, a combination of that manual work with functional rehabilitation. Spinal and joint mechanics as a driver of nerve irritation are typically a central focus.

What Physiotherapy Typically Emphasises

Physiotherapy training typically places a strong emphasis on exercise-based rehabilitation, movement retraining, and progressive loading programs, and physiotherapists often play a significant role in post-surgical and sports-injury rehabilitation. Manual therapy techniques are part of physiotherapy practice too, generally alongside a strong exercise-prescription component.

Where They Overlap, and Where Patients Often See Both

Plenty of patients see both a chiropractor and a physiotherapist, either concurrently or sequentially, chiropractic care to help settle acute irritation, physiotherapy to build long-term strength and movement capacity, or the reverse, depending on the case. This isn't unusual, and it isn't a sign that either practitioner has failed. The two approaches can complement each other rather than compete.

How to Decide Where to Start

Rather than asking which profession is 'better,' a more useful question is which approach fits your current presentation and preferences. If you want hands-on treatment paired with an integrated functional rehabilitation program, that's what this practice is built around. If you're already working with a physiotherapist for a related issue, the two can often run alongside each other rather than in competition.

Whichever practitioner you start with, what matters most is that they give you a clear assessment and a clear explanation of what's actually driving your symptoms, that principle matters more than the specific title on the door.

Have a question this article didn't cover?

Give us a call, send us an email, or book in for a consultation.