When it comes to chiropractic, we realised there are many misconceptions about what chiropractic care is about. Today, we will attempt to clarify:

• Which chiropractor is good in Singapore?
• What is a chiropractor?
• Are chiropractor doctors?
• Is chiropractic recognised in Singapore?
• How much does it cost to see a chiropractor in Singapore?
• How often should you go to a chiropractor?
• What are the types of chiropractic treatments available in Singapore?

In addressing these issues, I hope to share the secrets of the chiropractic industry with you. In doing so, helping you find your true freedom from pain.

What is chiropractic?

Depending on which country you are from, chiropractic can be defined differently. For example, chiropractic care is considered a form of alternative medicine in Singapore. In Australia and many other countries, chiropractors are considered allied health providers and are primary care providers for conditions such as low back pain.

At its core, chiropractic focuses on the treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Practitioners of chiropractic (i.e., chiropractors), can use a variety of techniques from manual adjustments to exercise to relieve pain, improve function, and promote overall health and well-being.

Traditional, old school chiropractors believe that proper alignment of the spine and other joints can help to restore and maintain the body’s natural balance and function, and that this can lead to improved health and well-being. These misalignments are sometimes referred to as vertebral subluxation. However, recent research is unable to demonstrate that subluxations do indeed exist. Furthermore, research also doesn’t support that correction of the said subluxations improved spinal health.

There is no evidence to support a subluxation-based approach to pain and injury.

Modern, evidence-based chiropractors work with patients who have back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Moving away from spinal adjustments, evidence-based chiropractors focus on exercise and education to help chronic pain sufferers find long-term pain solution.

Understanding the history of chiropractic

Chiropractic originated in the late 19th century. Over the last hundred years, it has evolved into a globally recognised and respected form of healthcare.

The origin of chiropractic can be traced back to 1895, when a Canadian named Daniel David Palmer founded the first chiropractic school in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer believed that many diseases were caused by misalignments in the spine, and that these misalignments could be corrected through the use of spinal adjustments. He developed a system of treatment that involved applying manual pressure to specific areas of the spine in order to realign the vertebrae and restore proper functioning to the nervous system.

Palmer’s ideas were met with skepticism and opposition from the mainstream medical community, and chiropractic was not initially recognised as a legitimate form of healthcare. However, over the years, chiropractic has gained wider acceptance and is now recognised by many insurance companies and mainstream medical organisations.

In the early 20th century, chiropractic began to spread beyond the United States and into other countries, particularly in Canada, Australia, and even Singapore. Today, chiropractic is a widely practiced form of healthcare, with chiropractors operating in many countries around the world.

Chiropractic has evolved over the years and now includes a range of techniques and approaches, including spinal adjustments, massage, nutrition, and exercise therapy. Evidence-based chiropractors also offer a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating elements of exercise and self-management into their recovery programme.

Despite its widespread acceptance, chiropractic continues to be a controversial field. Some critics argued that the effectiveness of chiropractic has not been sufficiently proven through scientific research. This is evident in recent randomised controlled trials where chiropractic adjustments were found to be no better than placebo.

Spinal adjustments is not unique to chiropractic

The origins of chiropractic can be traced back to ancient Greece and the writings of Hippocrates, who is considered the “father of medicine.” In his writings, Hippocrates described the importance of proper spinal alignment and the role of spinal manipulation in the treatment of various health conditions.

The use of spinal manipulation for therapeutic purposes has a long history in China, dating back thousands of years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive system of healthcare that includes a range of therapies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and exercise, as well as spinal manipulation. In TCM, the spine is believed to be an important part of the body’s overall health and well-being, and spinal manipulation is used to restore balance and harmony to the body.

Besides chiropractors and TCM physicians, spinal adjustments are also practiced by other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, osteopathic doctors, and even thai masseuse.

Exercise is part of chiropractic since its founding days

Modern chiropractors apply the latest research in their treatments, follow an evidence-based framework and utilise the research-proven treatments to help you achieve faster recovery.

When it comes to managing lower back pain, advice, education, and exercise the #1 treatment (The Lancet, 2018).

What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists and chiropractors are both health care professionals who work to improve the movement and function of the human body. One key similarity between physiotherapists and chiropractors is that both professionals are trained to assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions. This includes conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and injuries to the joints and muscles. Both professions use a variety of techniques to help alleviate pain and improve mobility, such as massage, stretching, and exercises.

Modern chiropractors and physiotherapists place a strong emphasis on patient education. Both professions believe that educating patients about their condition and how to manage it is an important part of the treatment process. This may include teaching patients about what is pain, body mechanics, as well as providing guidance on how to perform exercises safely and effectively.

One key difference is the approach to treatment. Chiropractors focus primarily on the spine and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Physiotherapists, on the other hand, do not focus on the spine or musculoskeletal disorders, and also work with neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions.

Is chiropractic accepted by medical doctors?

Medical doctors have historically had a strained relationship with chiropractic care. In the past, doctors and surgeons have been critical of chiropractic and has questioned the scientific basis of chiropractic techniques and the validity of chiropractic as a healthcare profession.

Overtime, chiropractic has become more accepted in mainstream healthcare. For example, The American Medical Association (AMA), the largest and most influential medical organization in the United States, now recognizes chiropractic as a legitimate form of healthcare.

In 1987, the AMA adopted a policy stating that it is “open to the possibility that chiropractic may be a valid health care option,” and in 2010, the AMA issued a report acknowledging that chiropractic care is “effective for certain conditions.”

Is chiropractic covered by insurance in Singapore?

In Singapore, chiropractic care is covered by some private insurance plans, but it may not be covered by all plans. It is important to check with your insurance provider to see if chiropractic care is covered under your specific plan. The cost of treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and the length of your treatment plan.

You can claim insurance for your chiropractic treatments as long as it is covered by your insurer and you have met the conditions required for a successful claim.

Some local insurance companies require a referral from a licensed medical practitioner. This means that you will need to see a doctor or other medical professional who can assess your condition and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you. Your medical practitioner may then refer you to a chiropractor for treatment.

Here are a few examples of insurance companies in Singapore that offer chiropractic coverage:

• AIA
• AXA
• Great Eastern
• NTUC Income
• Prudential

This is not an exhaustive list, and it is worth noting that the specific terms and conditions of chiropractic coverage may vary even within the same insurance company. It is always a good idea to review your insurance policy and speak with your insurance provider to understand what is covered under your specific plan.

Is chiropractor a doctor in Singapore?

Contrary to popular belief, chiropractors do not work with bones.

A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, is a health care provider who is trained to diagnose and treat joint and muscles disorders. Chiropractors are trained to treat patients of different ages from children to adults to seniors.

Chiropractors are NOT medical doctors or orthopaedic doctors.

While chiropractic patients often address their chiropractors as “doctor”, this is strictly a professional courtesy in the United States.

The Ministry of Health had also previously emphasised that chiropractors “cannot practise medicine as doctors”.

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, had brought up the issues surrounding the practice of chiropractic in Singapore. It was revealed that misleading use of titles (e.g. the doctor salutation) is one of the common complaints received by MOH.

The confusion around the usage of the doctor title is not limited to Singapore or the chiropractic profession. Read more at Who is entitled to the title of “doctor”?

Are chiropractors recognised in Singapore?

Chiropractic is not recognised in Singapore as an allied health profession and is considered a complementary and alternative medicine.

This means that chiropractors in Singapore are not regulated under the Private Hospital and Medical Clinic Act (PHMCA) or the Allied Health Professions Act. As such, chiropractors are free to do as they wish with little to no consequence.

Can GP refer to chiropractor Singapore?

Medical doctors can refer to chiropractors in Singapore. However, due to the lack of regulation, general practitioners do tend to avoid referring their patients to a chiropractor.

Choosing the best chiropractor in Singapore

There are many chiropractors in Singapore. To help you decide who is best chiropractor in Singapore, I have put together a list of what to look out for:

• Good values: ethical and community-first
• Good tribe: testimonials, good word-of-mouth
• Good content: data driven, no broscience and no marketing fluff
• Good clinical process: evidence-based practice
• Good business practice: no hard selling, no packages
• Good results: over 80% achieve their recovery goals in 4 to 7 visits

When it comes to the top performers in chiropractic, we have one thing in common: we prioritise our clients over our profitability.

Square One Active Recovery started as a passion project to transform the Singapore chiropractic industry. I wanted to offer evidence-based chiropractic care that is focused at the wellbeing of my clients.

The best chiropractors don’t just look at your “misalignment”. We look at at your whole person and come up with working solutions to help you achieve true freedom from pain.

Read more: Here’s how you choose a good chiropractor or physiotherapist in Singapore

How much does chiropractic cost in Singapore?

Chiropractic fees can start from as little as $9!

The average cost of seeing a chiropractor in Singapore ranges from $80 to $120 per chiropractic adjustment. The actual fee you pay depends on the package you signed, which pay include other chiropractic services such as functional wellness or spinal decompression.

The average price of one package may sometimes seem affordable at $600 to $850. However, most patients will need renew their packages a couple of times to achieve full symptom relief. This quickly gallons up to a few thousand dollars. Some chiropractic clinics offer packages upwards of 40 sessions that can cost as much as $4,320.

* Consultation only
^We were unable to find the fee structure for the bigger chiropractic chains such as Chiropractic First, Natural Healings, or True Chiropractic.

Cheap is not always cheaper!

A quick search of the Internet will bring up multiple horror stories of chiropractors using fear-mongering tactics (The Straits Times) to sign clueless patients up for chiropractic packages.

These encounters usually start with a cheap chiropractic promotion and end up a often expensive and unnecessary package. Some clinics even offer 90-session packages!

Read more: The Chiropractic Adjustment – Seven Hard Truths You Want To Know

Square One Active Recovery does indeed charge a higher fee compared to our competitors because we do zero upselling.

We also don’t compete on price. While some clinics charge upwards of $5,000 for a chiropractic package that will require you to keep coming back for years, most of our clients will only work with us for 4 to 7 sessions!

This why despite our high fees, our clients would still save money by choosing us.

The dirty secrets of the chiropractic industry.

Cheap chiropractors in Singapore offer steep promotion (up to 94% on Fave, believe it or not) for an opportunity to sell you a package that will easily cost you thousands of dollars.

Most chiropractors in Singapore are also remunerated on a sales-based commission model – not results! There is no incentive to help you get better, faster.

Their relationship with you ends the moment you commit, on pen and paper, to their package. From that moment on, you become one of the many bodies that pass through their clinic each day.

You have been warned. Make sure you ask those questions before moving ahead. Based on their responses, you should be able to gauge if they are indeed the right place for you.

Believe it or not, we have a money-back guarantee at Square One. Because you come first. Always.

Read more: Four Things Your Chiropractor Doesn’t Want You To Know

How many chiropractic sessions do I need?

Do you know over 80% of our clients leave our care within 4 to 7 visits? Doesn’t matter if it’s neck pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain. I am about helping you achieve pain-free living and with full function.

Why do I get such results?

It’s because research says exercise with coaching works. This is exactly what I offer.

Exercise-based therapy and pain education are recommended by all international clinical guidelines as the solution to long-term pain relief.

If you are asking me how often you should get adjusted, I’d say you should see a chiropractor for four to seven sessions across a two to three-month period. It is true and fair for complex cases to need extra sessions. However, you shouldn’t be getting adjusted thrice a week for 12 weeks.

It’s simply too much.

The truth is you will likely pay more per visit at Square One. (The most expensive by far charges $120 for two minutes). I understand our approach to care is different (long treatment sessions, prescribed home exercises, and more expensive fees) and does not suit everyone.

I charge more per session because I spend more time with our clients to make sure I correctly understand your needs. The end result? My patients get better faster.

Each and every one of our patients is unique and I want to ensure I customise their care to their specific needs. I believe in giving you more value for your dollar. Because that’s what builds a stronger, healthier community.

I consistently deliver results our competitors cannot match! Square One Active Recovery one of the most successful clinics in Singapore with a stellar track record of 100% 5-star reviews on Google (as of publication time).

Chiropractors are effective musculoskeletal health experts trained to diagnose and treat your daily aches and pain.

There are many good reasons to see a chiropractor but only you can decide who is best for you. Finding an affordable chiropractor Singapore is hard work and I welcome you to talk to us should you need more help in determining who is best for you. I promise you will be in good hands!