Frequently Asked Questions

No referral is required. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners in Australia, which means you can book directly without seeing your GP first. Simply book online or call us on 03 9039 5243 during clinic hours.

The easiest way is to book online through our booking system — choose your preferred time and confirm instantly without needing to call. You can also call us on 03 9039 5243 during clinic hours and we will book you in directly.

Same-week and, where possible, same-day appointments are generally available for new patients. Book online to see the next available times, or call us if you need to be seen urgently and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes. We offer early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Monday to Friday we have morning sessions from 9am–1pm and afternoon/evening sessions from 3pm–7pm. Saturday appointments run from 9am–12pm. Wednesday and Sunday we are closed.

Yes. There is 2-hour street parking directly outside the clinic on Mount Street. Additional options are available on Burgundy Street (1-hour), Yarra Street (3-hour), and Hawdon Street (2-hour). We are also a 2-minute walk from Heidelberg Station on the Hurstbridge line.

There is nothing specific you need to bring. If you have had recent imaging relevant to your condition (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) or written reports, these can be helpful. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement. If you have private health insurance, bring your health fund card as HICAPS is available on-site.

Your first appointment begins with a detailed health history conversation. Dr Nicholas Lee will discuss your symptoms, how long they have been present, what makes them better or worse, and how they are affecting your daily life. This is followed by a thorough physical assessment including postural evaluation, range of motion testing, and hands-on assessment of the relevant spinal and joint regions. Before any treatment is provided, findings are explained clearly. You can read more on our What to Expect at Your First Visit page.

Allow approximately 30 minutes or more for your first appointment. This includes the health history conversation, physical assessment, explanation of findings, and treatment if appropriate. Follow-up appointments are typically 15 minutes.

In most cases, yes — if chiropractic care is clinically appropriate based on the assessment findings, treatment may begin on the same day. Dr Lee will always explain what he found and discuss the proposed approach before proceeding. You are never obligated to receive treatment at the first visit if you would prefer more time to consider.

No. Imaging is not routinely required before a first chiropractic appointment. If the assessment suggests imaging would provide important clinical information — for example, to rule out fracture or more closely assess a disc injury — Dr Lee will provide a referral at that point.

Yes, absolutely. You are welcome to bring a support person. Please let us know when you book so we can ensure there is enough space.

Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system — particularly the spine, joints, and associated nervous system. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques including spinal manipulation and mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise-based rehabilitation. You can see all the conditions we treat on our conditions page.

Common presentations include neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, disc bulge, shoulder pain, hip pain, whiplash, sports injuries, TMJ jaw issues, and postural dysfunction and scoliosis. Chiropractors can also assess and treat peripheral joints such as the shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, and ankle.

Chiropractic care is considered safe when performed by a registered practitioner following a thorough clinical assessment. Mild temporary side effects such as soreness or fatigue can occur and typically resolve within a day or two. Serious adverse events are extremely rare. Dr Lee will discuss any relevant risks as part of your assessment before any treatment begins.

Both professions treat musculoskeletal conditions and there is significant clinical overlap. Chiropractors have a particular focus on the spine and its relationship to the nervous system, and use spinal manipulation as a core technique. Physiotherapists tend to emphasise exercise rehabilitation, especially after surgery or trauma. The best fit depends on the individual and the condition. We have a dedicated page comparing the two: Physiotherapy vs Chiropractic.

The sound is caused by a rapid release of gas (primarily carbon dioxide) from within the joint capsule — similar to cracking your knuckles. It is painless, harmless, and not an indicator of whether the treatment was effective. Not every adjustment produces a sound, and the absence of a sound does not mean the technique was unsuccessful.

Yes. Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat peripheral joints including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Assessment may also include soft tissue work and exercise prescription for these areas.

Chiropractors in Australia complete an accredited five-year university degree covering anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, biomechanics, and the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The degree includes extensive supervised clinical training. All chiropractors must be registered with AHPRA and meet the professional standards set by the Chiropractic Board of Australia.

Frequency depends on your presentation, goals, and how your body responds to care. Some people benefit from a period of more regular visits during an acute phase, while others come in for periodic maintenance or check-up visits. Dr Lee will recommend a care plan appropriate for your individual situation and will review and adjust it as your care progresses.

This varies considerably. Some people with straightforward acute presentations notice significant improvement within a few sessions. Others with longstanding or complex conditions may require a longer course of care. Dr Lee will give you a realistic estimate after your first assessment and will not keep you in care longer than is genuinely useful.

No — unless you want to. Many patients complete a course of care and are discharged with exercises and advice to manage independently. Others choose to continue with periodic check-up appointments to maintain function and address issues before they become significant problems. This is always a patient-led decision, never a requirement.

This is very common and does not mean the treatment failed. Musculoskeletal conditions can recur, particularly if the underlying contributing factors (posture, ergonomics, activity levels) have not changed. If your symptoms return, simply book an appointment. A review appointment is typically shorter and more focused than a full initial assessment.

Yes. Depending on your presentation, Dr Lee may prescribe specific exercises, stretches, or postural modifications to support your recovery between appointments. These are tailored to your individual needs rather than being a generic handout.

Yes. HICAPS is available on-site so you can claim your private health rebate on the spot at the time of your appointment. Chiropractic is covered under the Extras component of most private health insurance policies. The amount you can claim depends on your specific fund and level of cover — check with your fund beforehand to confirm your chiropractic entitlements.

Chiropractic care is not covered by Medicare under standard arrangements. However, if you have a GP Management Plan (also called a Chronic Disease Management plan) your GP may be able to arrange a referral under the Medicare Allied Health program, which provides a rebate for a limited number of sessions per calendar year. Contact your GP to discuss whether this applies to your situation.

Unfortunately we don’t accept TAC or Workcover patients at this practice.

We accept EFTPOS, credit card, and cash. HICAPS is available for instant private health fund claiming on-site. Payment is due at the time of the appointment.

Chiropractic care can be appropriate during pregnancy, with assessment and techniques adapted to the stage of pregnancy and individual presentation. If you are pregnant, please mention this when booking so Dr Lee can prepare appropriately. Care focuses on comfortable, gentle techniques and positions suitable for each trimester.

Yes. Chiropractic care is appropriate for people of all ages including children and adolescents. Assessment and treatment techniques are always adapted to the age and presentation of the patient. If your child is experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms, a thorough assessment is the appropriate starting point.

Yes, in many cases. The assessment and approach will take your surgical history fully into account. Some post-surgical presentations respond well to conservative chiropractic care. Dr Lee will review your history carefully and discuss what is and is not appropriate for your specific situation. If imaging or a specialist opinion would be beneficial before care begins, he will advise this.

Disc bulge and disc-related presentations are among the more common conditions seen at True Chiropractic. Assessment focuses on understanding the clinical picture — the nature of the disc involvement, whether nerve root irritation is present, and what is contributing to symptoms. You can read more on our disc bulge page.

Feel free to call us or send an email before booking and we are happy to have a conversation about your situation. Dr Lee will give you an honest assessment of whether chiropractic care is likely to be helpful, and will recommend a more appropriate provider if it is not. You can also visit our contact page.