Conditions
Work injuries
Reviewed by Dr Voula Roumel, Chiropractor , registered since 1987, AHPRA CHI0000942872
Last updated
Work injuries most often come through this clinic as lower back, neck and shoulder presentations, either a specific incident, such as a lift or a fall, or a gradual-onset problem from sustained load: repetitive tasks, long periods in one position, or vibration exposure.
The paperwork matters as much as the clinical part. A WorkSafe claim needs a claim number and the referral your scheme requires in place before the appointment. Treatment given beforehand is generally billed to you rather than the insurer, and that is much harder to unpick afterwards than to organise up front.
Before you book
- A claim number from your employer or the insurer
- A referral from your treating doctor, which is separate from the claim number
- Any imaging or reports already done
If your claim has not been accepted yet and you need to be seen, you can attend as a private patient and claim on your private health cover through HICAPS in the usual way. What is not possible is having those appointments billed back to WorkSafe later.
Call the clinic on the number above and reception will tell you exactly what your scheme needs. The same applies to TAC claims after a transport accident, and to DVA, which is billed directly with a valid referral lodged beforehand.
What the assessment covers
- A full history, the mechanism of injury, what your job actually requires physically, and what you have been able to do since
- A physical assessment of the region and the areas loading it
- An orthopaedic and neurological screen
- Where you are relative to your work duties, because return-to-work capacity is part of what the scheme is asking about
- An explanation of what was found, before any treatment
What treatment involves
- Chiropractic adjustment where restriction is part of the picture
- Massage therapy for the muscular load
- Dry needling, where trigger points are involved
- Rehabilitation exercises, graded loading toward the demands of your actual job rather than a generic programme
- Posture correction and practical workplace changes
Reporting
Clinical notes are confidential. What goes to the insurer is what the scheme requires, progress and capacity reporting rather than a record of your appointment. If you have concerns about what is shared, raise them and the chiropractor will explain what is reported and to whom.
Related
Most work presentations are covered in more detail on lower back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain. Fees and every item code are on the fees page.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need before booking a WorkSafe appointment?
A claim number, and the referral your scheme requires. Get both in place before the appointment, treatment given before a claim is accepted is generally billed to you rather than to the insurer, and sorting that out afterwards is considerably harder than organising it beforehand. Call the clinic and reception will tell you exactly what your scheme needs.
Can I be seen before my claim is accepted?
Yes, as a private patient, claiming on your private health cover through HICAPS in the usual way. What you cannot do is have it billed to WorkSafe retrospectively once the claim comes through. If you need to be seen quickly, that is the route, and it is worth understanding the difference before you book rather than after.
Do I need a GP referral?
For a work claim, generally yes, schemes require a referral from a treating doctor, and your GP is usually already involved in the claim. That referral is separate from the claim number and both need to be in place.
Will my employer be told what I discuss?
Clinical notes are confidential. What goes to the insurer is what the scheme requires for the claim, progress and capacity reporting rather than a transcript of your appointment. If you have concerns about what is shared, raise them at the appointment and the chiropractor will explain what is reported and to whom.
What if I am not sure whether to lodge a claim?
That is a conversation with your GP and your employer rather than one this clinic can decide for you. You can be seen privately in the meantime, and nothing about being seen commits you either way.
Ready to book?
Appointments Monday to Saturday, with confirmation by SMS.