When To See Your GP First

Is It Required?

At Adjusting to Health Chiropractic, patient safety always comes first.


While Chiropractic can be appropriate for many spinal and nervous system–related issues, there are times when you should consider seeing a GP first. Knowing when medical assessment is necessary is a critical part of responsible healthcare.


This page explains when a GP could be a better first point of contact. This page explores the situations seeing your GP first may be best.

Situations Where You Should See a GP First

Consult a GP or Visit Emergency If You Experience:


  • Rapid unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or night sweats
  • Laceration or significant bleeding following recent car accident
  • Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Pain associated with cancer, infection, or systemic illness


These signs may indicate conditions that require immediate medical investigation or urgent care before any consideration of Chiropractic care.

An Important Reality About Medical Assessment

GPs play a vital role in ruling out serious conditions such as fractures, infections, cancer, or inflammatory disease. However, it’s important to understand what medical testing is designed to find, and what it is not.


In cases such as lower back pain, neck pain, or headaches, many patients are told:


  • Scans show “nothing wrong”
  • Results are “normal”
  • Pain is labelled as non-specific


In medical terms, “nothing found” often means:

  • No cancer, No fracture, No infection


It does not mean:

  • There is no cause or that the spine and nervous system are functioning optimally.


The testing of spinal and nervous system function are simply outside the scope of medical imaging and pathological testing. This is the focus of Chiropractic care. It's important to get the right care for your condition and your preferences.

When Symptoms Persist Despite Medication

Pain relief medication can be helpful short term, but when symptoms persist despite pills, injections, or rest, it’s often a sign that the underlying cause has not been addressed. This is where many people begin looking for a different perspective.


Chiropractic care focuses on:


Movement and mechanical function

Spinal loading and posture

Nervous system signalling and adaptation


These factors are rarely assessed during standard medical consultations but are often central to ongoing pain and reduced function.

Opinions vs Findings

Healthcare opinions in any profession, are often shaped by training background, experience, and exposure.


That’s why at Adjusting to Health we rely on:


  • Objective examination findings
  • Neurological and spinal assessment
  • Current research and clinical guidelines


We don’t make decisions based on assumptions or outdated beliefs about Chiropractic.


Our approach is evidence-informed, continually updated, and grounded in what is measurable and relevant to your presentation.

Next Step

If you’re uncertain whether to see a GP or Chiropractor first, booking a comprehensive Pain Assessment with us allows us to help guide that decision responsibly.


If Chiropractic care is not appropriate, we will tell you and help direct you accordingly.


This selectiveness is intentional and central to how we practise. If you’d like clarity on whether Chiropractic care is appropriate for you, the safest next step is a proper assessment with our doctors. Click below to get started.