True Chiropractic Heidelberg
What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Appointment
A clear, step-by-step guide to your first visit at True Chiropractic in Heidelberg — so you know exactly what happens and feel confident walking through the door.
No referral needed • Same chiropractor every visit • HICAPS on-site • Same-week appointments available
Your first visit
What to Expect at Your First Appointment in Heidelberg
If you have never been to a chiropractor before, it is completely normal to feel uncertain about what will happen. This page walks you through exactly what your first appointment at True Chiropractic looks like, from the moment you arrive to leaving with a clear plan for your care.
There is nothing complicated to prepare. No referral is needed and no pressure to commit to anything before you are ready. Your first appointment is designed to help you feel informed and in control.
Dr Nicholas Lee will take the time to understand what has been bothering you, assess your movement and function, explain what he finds, and discuss the most appropriate path forward, whether that involves care beginning on the day or further investigation first.
Step by step
How Your First Appointment Unfolds
Every first appointment follows the same structure — thorough, unhurried, and always explained along the way.
01
Health History Conversation
Before any physical assessment, Dr Lee will sit down with you and discuss your symptoms in detail. How long has the issue been present? What makes it better or worse? How is it affecting your daily life, work, or sleep? Your full health history, including previous injuries, medications, and relevant medical background is also covered at this stage.
02
Physical Assessment
A thorough physical assessment follows. This includes postural observation, spinal and joint range of motion testing, orthopaedic and neurological tests where relevant, and hands-on palpation of the affected regions. The assessment is guided by your specific presentation — it is not a standard checklist applied to everyone.
03
Clear Explanation of Findings
Once the assessment is complete, Dr Lee will explain exactly what he found in plain language. You will understand what is contributing to your symptoms, what the relevant structures are, and what the proposed approach involves. If imaging is considered necessary to rule out something serious or to better inform care, a referral will be provided at this point.
04
Treatment — If Appropriate
If chiropractic care is clinically appropriate based on the assessment findings, treatment may begin on the same day. You are always informed about what any treatment involves before it proceeds, there is no obligation to receive treatment at the first visit if you would prefer to take time to think about it first.
05
Your Care Plan and Next Steps
You will leave your first appointment with a clear understanding of what is happening and a recommended care plan tailored to your situation. This will include suggested follow-up timing, any home exercises or advice, and a realistic expectation of what the care process involves. Nothing is open-ended, you will always know what to expect.
Before you arrive
What to Bring and How to Prepare
There is very little preparation required for your first appointment. Here is what to keep in mind:
• Comfortable clothing that allows easy movement — you do not need to change
• Any relevant imaging you have had (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) or reports
• A list of medications if you are currently taking any
• Your health fund card if you have private health insurance — HICAPS is on-site
• Allow 30 minutes for the first appointment (follow-ups are typically 15-20 minutes)
No referral is needed before your visit. Simply arrive a few minutes early and Dr Lee will take care of everything from there.
Good to know
Common Questions Before Your First Visit
A few things that often come up for people who have not seen a chiropractor before.
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Will treatment happen at my first visit?
In most cases, yes — if the assessment findings support chiropractic care, treatment may begin on the same day. However you are never obligated to proceed. If you would like time to think about the findings and plan before committing, that is completely fine.
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Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes. HICAPS is available on-site so you can claim your private health rebate instantly at the time of your appointment. All major health funds are accepted. Check with your fund beforehand to confirm your chiropractic entitlements under your Extras cover.
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Do I need to have had a scan first?
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 assess a disc injury — Dr Lee will provide a referral at that point.
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Is there parking nearby?
Yes. There is 2-hour street parking directly outside the clinic on Mount Street. Additional parking is 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.
What we help with
Common Reasons People Book Their First Appointment
Many people come to True Chiropractic because they are dealing with a specific symptom that has been bothering them for a while. Others come following an injury, after a motor vehicle accident, or because they want to understand why their body is not moving the way it should. Some simply want an assessment to understand their posture or spinal function better.
Common presentations we see include:
• Lower back pain — acute or chronic
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches and migraines
• Sciatica and leg pain
• Disc bulge or disc-related symptoms
• Shoulder pain or reduced arm movement
• Whiplash from a motor vehicle accident
• Sports injuries and training-related pain
Frequently asked
Questions About Your First Appointment
Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic care is considered safe when performed by a registered practitioner who has conducted a thorough clinical assessment. Mild temporary effects such as muscle soreness or tiredness can occur following treatment and usually resolve within a day or two. Dr Lee will discuss any relevant risks with you as part of your assessment before any care begins.
How many appointments will I need?
This varies depending on the nature of your condition, how long it has been present, and how your body responds to care. Some people with acute presentations notice significant improvement within a few sessions. Others with more longstanding or complex issues may require a longer course of care. Dr Lee will give you a realistic estimate after your first assessment.
What if I have had a recent injury or am in a lot of pain?
You can still book an appointment. Dr Lee will adapt the assessment and any care to your level of comfort and the acuity of your presentation. If something in the assessment suggests you need to be seen by a different practitioner or requires urgent investigation, you will be directed accordingly.
What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
Both professions address musculoskeletal conditions and there is significant clinical overlap. Chiropractors have a particular focus on the spine and its relationship to the nervous system, and commonly use spinal manipulation as a core technique. The best fit depends on the individual, the condition, and what you are looking for. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us and we are happy to help you decide.
Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?
Yes, absolutely. You are welcome to bring a support person — whether for comfort, to help remember information, or to assist with communication. Please just let us know when you book so we can ensure there is enough space.
Who you will see
You Will See Dr Nicholas Lee at Every Appointment
BSc, BHSc/BAppSc (Chiropractic) • AHPRA Registered
True Chiropractic has one chiropractor — Dr Nicholas Lee. This means that whoever assesses you at your first appointment is the same person who will see you at every follow-up. Your history, your progress, and your goals are carried by the same practitioner throughout your care.
Dr Lee founded True Chiropractic in Heidelberg after practising across Melbourne and into Gippsland. As someone who experienced his own episodes of back and neck pain as a sportsman, he understands first hand how much these issues can affect daily life — and what it means to have them properly assessed and addressed.
Ready to Book Your First Appointment?
True Chiropractic is located at 124–126 Mount Street, Heidelberg — 2 minutes from Heidelberg Station. Same-week appointments available. No referral needed.
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9am–1pm & 3pm–7pm • Saturday: 9am–12pm • HICAPS on-site • TAC patients welcome
Important: The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. True Chiropractic complies with AHPRA guidelines for health practitioner advertising.