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 InsightsNerve Entrapment

Morton's Neuroma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Aret AboulianChiropractor

October 12, 2025•5 min read

That feeling of a pebble stuck permanently in your shoe, right between your toes, usually isn't a pebble at all, it's a thickened, irritated nerve.

Not Actually a Tumour

Despite the name, Morton's neuroma isn't a true tumour, it's a form of nerve irritation in the foot.'t a true tumour, it's a thickening of the tissue surrounding one of the small nerves running between the toes, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Over time, repetitive compression of this nerve as it passes between the toe bones causes the surrounding tissue to thicken, which in turn increases irritation of the nerve itself, creating something of a self-perpetuating cycle.

How It Presents

The classic description is a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, often accompanied by a sensation of walking on a pebble, a fold in your sock, or a small lump inside the shoe that isn't actually there. Numbness or tingling in the affected toes is common, and symptoms are typically worse in tight, narrow, or high-heeled footwear and better when barefoot or in wide, supportive shoes.

Why Footwear Plays Such a Large Role

Narrow toe boxes and high heels both increase pressure. Book an assessment, imaging is rarely needed for diagnosis. across the ball of the foot and compress the toes together, which directly irritates the nerve. This is a large part of why Morton's neuroma is significantly more common in people who regularly wear this kind of footwear, and why footwear modification is such a central part of treatment.

Getting the Diagnosis Right

A focused clinical examination, including palpation between the toe bones, is usually enough to identify Morton's neuroma. Tarsal tunnel syndrome affects the sole of the foot and is a useful differential to know. and specific compression tests that reproduce the symptoms, is usually enough to identify Morton's neuroma clinically. Imaging such as ultrasound can help confirm the diagnosis and assess the size of the thickened tissue where the clinical picture is less clear or where treatment isn't progressing as expected.

What Treatment Typically Involves

Switching to wider, well-cushioned footwear with a lower heel is usually the first and most impactful step. Beyond that, treatment can include padding or orthotic support to offload the area, soft tissue and nerve mobilisation work, and activity modification while the irritated tissue settles. Where conservative measures haven't produced meaningful improvement after a reasonable trial, further options can be discussed with your treating team.

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