Chiropractic: Full Spine Examination
Comprehensive Chiropractic Assessment in Melrose Park
Every Great Treatment Plan Begins With a Thorough Assessment
At Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park, we believe the most important part of your appointment isn't the treatment—it's understanding why you're experiencing your symptoms.
Pain is often the reason people seek care, but it doesn't always tell us where the problem began. Two people may both have lower back pain, yet the cause, contributing factors and most appropriate management plan can be completely different.
That's why every new patient receives a comprehensive assessment before any treatment recommendations are made.
Rather than applying the same approach to everyone, we take the time to understand your symptoms, your lifestyle and your goals so that your care is tailored to your individual needs.
Why Is an Assessment So Important?
One of the most common misconceptions is that if two people have the same diagnosis, they should receive the same treatment.
In reality, successful management depends on understanding the whole person, not just the painful area.
Your symptoms may be influenced by several factors, including:
Previous injuries
Occupation and workplace demands
Sporting activities
Posture
Movement patterns
Muscle strength
Joint mobility
Lifestyle and daily habits
Previous surgery
General health
A thorough assessment helps identify these contributing factors and guides appropriate management.
What Happens During Your First Appointment?
Your first consultation is designed to give us a clear understanding of your health, your symptoms and how they are affecting your everyday life.
This typically includes:
A Detailed Health History
We'll discuss:
Your current symptoms
When they began
What makes them better or worse
Previous injuries
Medical history
Previous imaging
Previous treatment
Medications
Sporting activities
Work demands
Personal goals
Understanding your story is often one of the most valuable parts of the assessment.
Postural Assessment
The way your body stands and moves may influence how forces travel through your muscles and joints.
We assess:
Shoulder height
Pelvic alignment
Head posture
Spinal curves
Weight distribution
Functional posture
Posture is only one piece of the puzzle, but it provides useful information when considered alongside your symptoms and examination findings.
Movement Assessment
Rather than looking only at the painful area, we observe how your body moves.
Depending on your presentation, this may include:
Walking
Squatting
Bending
Reaching
Balance
Functional movement patterns
This helps identify restrictions, compensations and movement strategies that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Joint Mobility Assessment
We assess how your joints move throughout the spine and extremities where clinically appropriate.
Restricted or painful movement can sometimes contribute to altered movement patterns and discomfort.
Muscle Assessment
Healthy movement depends on muscles working together efficiently.
Your assessment may include:
Strength testing
Flexibility
Muscle activation
Endurance
Muscle tenderness
Balance between muscle groups
This helps guide rehabilitation and exercise prescription.
Orthopaedic Examination
Where appropriate, we perform specific orthopaedic tests to help determine which structures may be contributing to your symptoms.
These tests may assist in assessing muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and other musculoskeletal structures.
Neurological Assessment
If clinically indicated, your examination may include neurological testing such as:
Reflexes
Muscle strength
Sensation
Coordination
Balance
Nerve tension tests
These assessments help determine whether further medical investigation or referral may be appropriate.
Digital Gait Assessment
For patients with foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower back complaints, we may recommend a digital gait assessment.
This technology helps us evaluate:
Walking mechanics
Foot posture
Pressure distribution
Balance
Weight transfer
Arch function
The gait assessment forms one part of your overall clinical evaluation and may assist in determining whether custom foot orthotics are appropriate.
Do I Need X-rays or an MRI?
Not everyone requires imaging.
Many musculoskeletal conditions can be assessed clinically through a detailed history and physical examination.
If imaging is likely to change your management or if we identify signs that require further investigation, we'll explain why and discuss the most appropriate next steps.
Where necessary, we'll communicate with your GP or refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.
Evidence-Based, Patient-Centred Care
Following your assessment, we'll explain:
What we found
What may be contributing to your symptoms
Whether chiropractic care is appropriate
Your treatment options
Expected recovery
Home advice
Rehabilitation exercises
Whether referral or further investigation is recommended
We believe patients make better decisions when they understand their condition.
You'll always have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding how you'd like to proceed.
From Dr Nasim
One of the things I enjoy most about chiropractic is detective work.
Many people arrive believing they know exactly what's causing their pain, only to discover that several factors are contributing to their symptoms.
Rather than rushing into treatment, I prefer to take the time to understand the whole picture. Sometimes the answer is straightforward. Other times it involves looking at posture, movement, previous injuries, work demands, sporting activities or even how different parts of the body are working together.
My goal is to help you understand your condition, explain your options honestly and work with you to develop a management plan that suits your individual goals—not someone else's.
Conditions We Commonly Assess
Our comprehensive assessment process may help identify contributing factors in patients experiencing:
Lower Back Pain
Neck Pain
Sciatica
Herniated & Bulging Discs
Headaches
TMJ Dysfunction
Sports Injuries
Knee Pain
Ankle Pain
Frozen Shoulder
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pregnancy-related Musculoskeletal Pain
Dizziness & Vestibular Disorders
BPPV
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Pre & Post Surgical Rehabilitation
Each condition requires an individualised assessment and management plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the first appointment?
Your initial consultation typically allows enough time to complete a detailed history, comprehensive examination and discuss your management options.
Will I receive treatment on my first visit?
In many cases, yes. However, treatment depends on your assessment findings and whether it is clinically appropriate. If further investigation or referral is needed, we'll discuss this with you first.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly without a referral. We also welcome referrals from GPs, specialists and other healthcare professionals.
Should I bring my scans?
Yes. If you have previous X-rays, MRI reports, CT scans or other relevant investigations, bringing them to your appointment can be helpful.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily is recommended, particularly if you're attending for a musculoskeletal or sports injury assessment.
Why Choose Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park?
Every patient is unique, and every assessment should reflect that.
Dr Nasim Vesalpour has over 16 years of clinical experience assessing and managing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Her approach combines evidence-based chiropractic care, rehabilitation, movement analysis and patient education to help people understand their condition and move with greater confidence.
Our comprehensive assessment process includes:
✔ Detailed health history
✔ Postural and movement assessment
✔ Orthopaedic and neurological examination where appropriate
✔ Digital gait assessment
✔ Evidence-based treatment recommendations
✔ Personalised rehabilitation programmes
✔ Collaboration with GPs, specialists and allied health professionals when required
Ready to Book Your Assessment?
Whether you're experiencing pain for the first time, recovering from an injury or looking for answers after months of ongoing symptoms, we're here to help.
Book your comprehensive assessment with Dr Nasim Vesalpour at Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park and take the first step towards understanding your condition and developing a personalised, evidence-based plan for recovery.