Wellness and Maintenance Chiropractic Care in Holland Park, Brisbane
Once initial chiropractic care goals related to specific symptoms or conditions have been met, some individuals in Holland Park and surrounding Brisbane areas consider options for ongoing supportive care. Often referred to as ‘Wellness’ or ‘Maintenance’ care, this involves periodic chiropractic visits scheduled at varying intervals. At Silky Oak Chiropractic, we understand that each person’s health journey and goals are unique. Therefore, the decision to engage in ongoing maintenance care is entirely individual and based on a collaborative discussion between you and Dr. Jan Jones, considering your health history, lifestyle, goals, and response to initial care. This page provides information about this type of supportive chiropractic care.
Understanding Wellness and Maintenance Chiropractic Care: Rationale and Approach
Maintenance care differs from acute or rehabilitative care, which focuses on addressing specific symptoms or recovering from an injury. Instead, maintenance care is typically considered after initial treatment goals have been achieved. The rationale and approach often involve:
1. Supporting Musculoskeletal Function: For many individuals, particularly those with physically demanding jobs, active hobbies, or a history of recurrent musculoskeletal issues, a key goal of maintenance care is to help support and maintain the level of spinal and joint function achieved during their initial phase of care. Periodic check-ups allow the chiropractor to assess joint mobility and muscle tone, providing intervention like adjustments or soft tissue work if needed based on the assessment findings during that visit.
2. Assisting in the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions: Individuals living with chronic conditions such as ongoing low back pain, degenerative joint changes (osteoarthritis), or postural strains may find periodic chiropractic care helpful as part of their overall self-management strategy. In these cases, maintenance visits can provide supportive care aimed at managing persistent symptoms, maintaining mobility where possible, and offering advice alongside other recommended strategies like regular exercise and activity modification.
3. Secondary Prevention Considerations (Specifically for Low Back Pain): Preventing the recurrence of pain is a common goal for patients, especially those with a history of conditions like low back pain (LBP). While no intervention can guarantee prevention, some scientific evidence suggests that for certain individuals with recurrent LBP, ongoing spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), as part of maintenance care, may potentially help reduce the frequency or severity of future episodes compared to simply managing symptoms as they arise or having no ongoing care. However, the evidence is not conclusive for all individuals, and results can vary significantly (Reference 1, 2, 3). This potential benefit is discussed on a case-by-case basis.
4. Patient-Centred Goals and Monitoring: The decision for, and frequency of, maintenance care should align with your personal health goals. Whether your aim is to maintain flexibility for a specific activity, manage chronic stiffness, or simply feel proactive about your musculoskeletal health, these goals form the basis of the discussion. Periodic visits also provide an opportunity to monitor your musculoskeletal status, address minor issues before they potentially become more significant, and reinforce self-care strategies.
5. Emphasis on Active Self-Care: It is crucial to understand that maintenance chiropractic care is intended to complement, not replace, your own active involvement in maintaining health. Regular physical activity, appropriate exercise, good posture, sound ergonomics, stress management, and a healthy lifestyle are fundamental. Maintenance care should support, not substitute, these essential self-care practices.
6. What Maintenance Care Is NOT: To ensure clarity and realistic expectations, in line with AHPRA guidelines, maintenance chiropractic care is not intended to:
- Cure or prevent systemic diseases unrelated to the musculoskeletal system.
- “Boost” the immune system.
- Guarantee prevention of all future pain episodes or injuries.
- Serve as a substitute for necessary medical care for other health conditions. Its focus remains on musculoskeletal function and support.
Our Process: What Happens During a Maintenance Care Visit?
Maintenance care visits are typically shorter and more focused than initial consultations or visits during active symptom management. A typical visit might include:
1. Check-in and Progress Update: A brief discussion about how you have been since your last visit, any changes in your activity levels or symptoms (even minor ones), and how you are managing with your home care advice (exercises, etc.).
2. Focused Musculoskeletal Assessment: Dr. Jones will perform a targeted assessment, likely focusing on areas relevant to your history or goals. This may involve checking spinal mobility, palpating for areas of muscle tension or joint restriction, or performing specific functional checks.
3. Targeted Intervention (If Indicated): Based on the check-in and assessment findings on that specific day, appropriate chiropractic care will be provided if necessary. This might involve specific adjustments (manual or instrument-assisted), joint mobilisation, or soft tissue work directed at areas identified during the assessment. It’s important to note that an adjustment may not be necessary or performed at every single maintenance visit.
4. Reinforcement and Updated Advice: The visit is an opportunity to review and potentially progress your home exercises, discuss any ergonomic or lifestyle factors, and reinforce strategies for self-managing your musculoskeletal health between visits.
5. Collaborative Scheduling: The frequency of maintenance visits is determined collaboratively based on your individual needs, goals, response to care, and clinical findings. Intervals can vary widely (e.g., monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly) and are regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed. It is not a fixed requirement but an ongoing conversation.
References:
(Note: These references specifically address maintenance care or secondary prevention where evidence exists, particularly for LBP, while acknowledging limitations.)
- Maintenance Care for Chronic LBP (Systematic Review Example): Eklund A, Jensen I, Lohela-Karlsson M, et al. The Nordic Maintenance Care program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain—A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0203029. (A key trial suggesting potential benefit for some LBP patients, though discussion on interpretation exists). Follow-up: Eklund A, Hagberg J, Jensen I, et al. The Nordic Maintenance Care Program: Maintenance care reduces the number of days with low back pain in patients with recurrent or persistent low back pain – A secondary analysis of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2020;28(1):19.
- Maintenance Care (Review/Perspective acknowledging evidence gaps): Axén I, Hestbæk L, Leboeuf-Yde C. Chiropractic maintenance care – what’s new? A systematic review of the literature. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2019;27:63. (Highlights the state of research and ongoing debate).
- Spinal Manipulation for LBP Prevention (Review suggesting potential): Senna MK, Machaly SA. Does maintained spinal manipulation therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain result in better long-term outcome? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011;36(18):1427-1437. (Example study suggesting potential benefits for long-term outcomes/recurrence).
- General Chiropractic Guideline (Low Back Pain): Globe G, Farabaugh RJ, Hawk C, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016;39(1):1-22. (Provides context for chiropractic care for LBP, the condition most studied regarding maintenance).
- Patient-Centred Care: Emphasis on shared decision-making and individual goals aligns with modern healthcare principles. (General principle, specific citation less relevant here than for efficacy claims).
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page describes Wellness and Maintenance Chiropractic Care as an optional approach following initial care, based on individual assessment and goals. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or chiropractic advice, nor does it guarantee specific health outcomes or prevention of future conditions. Scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of maintenance care for preventing recurrence is most discussed in relation to low back pain and is not definitive for all individuals or conditions. This type of care is not intended to treat systemic diseases or replace necessary medical care. The decision to pursue maintenance care should be made collaboratively between the patient and the chiropractor based on individual needs and informed consent. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered chiropractor, for a thorough assessment and personalised advice. Treatment outcomes can vary between individuals.
