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Many patients arrive here because they know something is not quite right with their body, but they are not yet sure what kind of care makes the most sense. Some are deciding between chiropractic and physiotherapy. Others have concerns like lower back pain, neck pain, headaches or postural strain want to know what to expect before they commit.

This page is here to make asking for help feel simple and clear. It’s designed to help those who –

do not know which service they need
feel nervous about committing without clarity
worry the experience will be overwhelming or salesy
are not sure whether their issue is serious enough
want a better idea of what the first visit actually involves

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Your first appointment is a Principal Consult

It doesn’t matter whether you are seeing a chiropractor or physiotherapist first, the right starting point is a Principal Consult if:

you have never visited our practice before
you are returning with a new condition, injury or concern
it has been more than 12 months since your last visit

A Principal Consult takes around 30 minutes and gives us enough time to assess your full medical history, diagnose what is going on and begin care in a strategic and considered way. If ongoing care is needed after this point, follow-up treatment appointments are shorter.

What your first visit looks like

If you are presenting with an injury, condition or symptom that needs to be remedied, you can expect a clear diagnosis — one we make sure you understand. If the reason for your visit is more proactive or performance-focused, you can expect a clear assessment of your biomechanics and movement patterns and a practical plan from there.

We want your first visit to feel straightforward, clear and useful from the beginning. Here’s what the process generally looks like.

Before your visit

The link to our online patient intake form is ready to click in your booking confirmation email. We recommend filling it out and submitting it before your appointment so we have the right background information from the start.

When you arrive

Arrive around 10 minutes before your scheduled time. If you are running late, let us know. We may be able to shuffle things so your visit does not result in a shorter consult.

During your appointment

Your visit may include:

a physical examination
a clear diagnosis or assessment
objective testing to establish a baseline and track progress over time
hands-on treatment which may include adjustments and dry needling where appropriate
demonstration of self-directed exercises if needed
referrals to other health professionals if relevant

At the end of the visit

You can claim consult fees back from your health fund instantly when settling your account, where applicable.

Not sure what kind of service you need?

You do not need to know which service is the right fit before you begin.

If you are new to the practice, have a new issue, or have not been in for more than 12 months, your first appointment will need to be a Principal Consult. That first appointment is where we assess what’s going on, talk you through our diagnosis and recommendations, and map out the most appropriate next steps from there — whether that involves chiropractic, physiotherapy, a combination of both or a different pathway altogether.

You can however choose whether that first appointment is booked as a Chiropractic Principal Consult or a Physiotherapy Principal Consult. The pages below will help you understand the difference between these two service pathways if you are still deciding where to begin.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is generally more hands-on and movement-restoring, with a stronger focus on joints, restriction, stiffness and mechanical function. It is often a useful pathway for people dealing with lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches or recurring postural strain.

Explore Chiropractic

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is generally more rehabilitation-led, with a stronger focus on exercise, strength, load tolerance and rebuilding capacity over time. It may be a better fit when the priority is restoring movement, improving strength and working through problems like shoulder pain or recurring sports injuries.

Explore Physiotherapy

Some people naturally feel drawn to one approach over the other and in some cases the best fit involves a combination of both. Massage therapy can also play a complementary role where soft tissue support is likely to be useful alongside broader care.

Practical things people often want to know

Here are some of the practical questions people commonly want answered before they book.

How long is the appointment?

If you have never visited our practice before, are returning with a new condition or injury, or your last visit was more than 12 months ago, you will need to book a Principal Consult. These appointments take around 30 minutes, though we recommend allowing up to 40 minutes.

After that, Treatment Consults are shorter:

Chiropractic: 15 minutes
Physiotherapy: 25 minutes

How much does it cost?

Our appointment fees can vary depending on the appointment type, so the best place to check the most up-to-date pricing is our book online page.

What should I wear?

Wear something comfortable that lets you move easily. You do not need anything special, but it helps if you can sit, stand and move without restriction during the appointment.

Do I need a referral?

No — you do not need a referral to book in.

If you have been referred by your GP, it is worth asking whether you are eligible for a chronic condition management plan, which may be partially subsidised by Medicare.

Can I still come in if I’m pregnant?

Yes — you can still come in if you are pregnant. Chiropractic care can be tailored appropriately throughout pregnancy and is often used to help reduce tension, improve comfort and support pelvic biomechanics as your body changes. If this is something you are dealing with, our pregnancy pain page may also be helpful.

If you are pregnant and booking in, just let us know so we can make sure your care is adjusted appropriately for your stage of pregnancy.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible.

Appointments changed or cancelled with less than 18 hours’ notice may incur a fee. Any outstanding balance will need to be settled before or at your next booking.

If you are running late, we do apply discretion case by case, but a late arrival may mean a shorter consultation.

What about parking and access?

We have free 2-hour parking available near both clinics:

Leichhardt: Norton Plaza
Gladesville: Coles / Gladesville Shopping Village

For full access details, directions and clinic information, visit our Leichhardt clinic or Gladesville clinic pages.

What if I’m not sure my problem is serious enough?

Even if it feels like “just stiffness” or a recurring flare-up, issues like headaches, postural strain or shoulder pain are still worth getting assessed if they keep coming back.

Our clinic locations

Explore our clinics in Leichhardt and Gladesville and see which one feels most relevant to you.

Leichhardt

Our Leichhardt clinic supports Inner West locals that want to recover, move well and feel confident in their body.

Leichhardt Clinic

Gladesville

Our Gladesville clinic supports Lower North Shore locals that want to recover, move well and feel confident in their body.

Gladesville Clinic

Helpful pages if you want more clarity first

If you would rather explore a little more before booking, these pages are a good next step.

Our approach

Learn more about how we assess, explain & build care around diagnosis and long-term progress.

Explore our approach

Who we help

See the kinds of people and problems that commonly bring patients to the clinic.

See who we help

Meet the team

Learn more about the practitioners who provide care across our clinics.

Meet the team

Still unsure?

If you’re still unsure which path fits best, these service pages will help you understand the difference a little more clearly.

Explore Chiropractic Explore Physiotherapy

Ready to move forward?

If you feel ready to move forward, you can speak with a practitioner or simply book an appointment.

Speak with a practitioner Book an appointment