Frequently asked questions — Movement Health & Wellness, Cromer
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About chiropractic care
What does a chiropractor do?
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Chiropractors are university-trained, registered health practitioners who assess and manage musculoskeletal pain and movement problems — things like back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint stiffness and sports injuries. Treatment typically involves hands-on care such as spinal adjustments, joint mobilisations and soft tissue therapy, combined with exercise prescription and self-management advice.
At Movement Health & Wellness, chiropractic care is also integrated with movement coaching and rehabilitation — so your care can extend beyond the treatment table when that's appropriate for your situation.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
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No referral is needed. You can book directly online or by calling 0421 553 945. If you do have a referral from your GP or another health practitioner, bring it along — it can be helpful context for your assessment.
What conditions do chiropractors commonly see?
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At Movement, we commonly see people with:
Lower back pain and sciatica
Neck pain and stiffness
Tension and cervicogenic headaches
Shoulder pain, including rotator cuff complaints and impingement
Hip, knee and ankle pain
Sports injuries and overuse complaints
Disc-related complaints
Rib and thoracic pain
Nerve-related symptoms such as numbness or tingling associated with musculoskeletal compression
TMJ (jaw) pain and dysfunction
Plantar fasciitis
If you're unsure whether chiropractic care is relevant for what you're dealing with, feel free to call or email — we're happy to have a quick chat before you book.
Is chiropractic care safe?
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Chiropractic care is generally considered safe when provided by a registered practitioner. Mild, temporary muscle soreness after a treatment session is not uncommon — similar to what you might feel after exercise. More serious side effects are rare.
Jess will always take a thorough history and discuss the proposed treatment with you before proceeding. If there's anything in your history that requires a modified approach, that will be factored into your care. You're always in control of what happens during an appointment.
What's the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
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Both chiropractors and physiotherapists work with musculoskeletal pain and injury, and there is considerable overlap in what both professions do. Chiropractors tend to have a strong focus on the spine and nervous system, and are trained in spinal manipulation. Physiotherapists often have a broader scope that can include post-surgical rehabilitation and hospital-based care.
In practice, the best outcome often comes down to the individual practitioner — their training, approach, and how well they communicate with you — rather than the profession itself. At Movement, chiropractic care is combined with strength and conditioning coaching, which means the rehabilitation component of your care is particularly well developed.
How many sessions will I need?
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This varies depending on your complaint, how long it's been going on, your goals, and how your body responds to care. After your initial assessment, Jess will give you a realistic picture of what a management plan might look like for your specific situation.
There's no lock-in — you're always in control of your care and there's no pressure to commit to a set number of sessions upfront.
Appointments and the clinic
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Your first appointment is unhurried and starts with a thorough assessment. Here's how it typically runs:
Intake — you'll complete a short form covering your health history and the reason for your visit
Assessment — Jess will assess your complaint through postural observation, range of motion testing, orthopaedic and neurological tests, and movement screening
Discussion — before any treatment begins, Jess will explain what she found and talk through the options with you
Treatment — most people receive some hands-on treatment in the first session, depending on what the assessment shows
Next steps — you'll leave with a clear plan and an understanding of what to do between appointments
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Initial consultations are typically 45–60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are generally 30–45 minutes, depending on what's being addressed. Movement coaching sessions are 60 minutes.
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Comfortable clothing you can move in is ideal. For lower back, hip or lower limb complaints, shorts or loose-fitting pants are helpful. For neck and shoulder complaints, a singlet or loose top makes assessment easier. You don't need to bring anything special.
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Movement Health & Wellness is located on the upper level of Surfers Gym at 8 Villiers Place, Cromer NSW 2099. Enter through the main gym entrance and head toward the door next to reception — that leads upstairs to the clinic. Onsite parking is available, as well as street parking nearby.
We see patients from across the Northern Beaches including Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Wheeler Heights, Brookvale, Frenchs Forest, Warriewood, Curl Curl and Freshwater.
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Monday 8:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday 1:00pm – 7:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 3:00pm
Thursday 1:30pm – 7:30pm
Friday 7:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 11:00am (fortnightly)
Same-day appointments are often available. Book online or call 0421 553 945.
Health insurance and fees
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Health insurance and fees |
Can I claim chiropractic on private health insurance?
Yes. Chiropractic consultations are claimable on eligible private health insurance extras cover. We have HICAPS available for on-the-spot claiming, and itemised receipts are provided for manual claiming if needed. Rebate amounts vary between funds and policies — check with your provider for your specific entitlements before your appointment.
Is chiropractic covered by Medicare?
Chiropractic is not covered by standard Medicare. However, if you have a chronic condition managed by your GP, you may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan — previously known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan. This can provide up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year. Speak with your GP to find out if you're eligible, and bring your referral to your appointment if you have one.
Do you bulk bill?
No. We do not bulk bill.
Treatments and techniques
What is dry needling and how is it different from acupuncture?
Dry needling uses fine, sterile needles inserted into muscle trigger points to help reduce tension and improve local tissue recovery. It is a technique used within musculoskeletal care and is based on anatomical and neurophysiological principles.
Acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, based on the concept of energy meridians. While both use fine needles, the underlying principles and intended mechanisms are different.
At Movement, dry needling is used selectively as part of a broader chiropractic assessment and treatment plan — not as a standalone treatment.
What is DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation)?DNS is an approach to rehabilitation based on developmental kinesiology — the study of how the body learns to stabilise and move during early childhood. It focuses on restoring optimal movement patterns, core stability, joint control and breathing mechanics.
In practice, DNS exercises can be useful for people with chronic pain, movement dysfunction, or athletes looking to improve their foundational movement quality. Jess is trained in DNS and integrates it into rehabilitation and coaching programming where appropriate.
Can I keep training or surfing while I'm injured?In many cases, yes — though it depends on the nature of the injury and what your assessment shows. Rather than a blanket "stop everything" or "push through it" approach, the aim at Movement is to help you understand what's safe to continue, what needs to be modified, and what needs to rest. Keeping you moving where possible is generally part of the plan.