A patient case from today. A 52 year old man, Department of Veterans Affairs White Card holder, two weeks into a care plan for ongoing lower back pain alongside knee and shoulder issues.
Presenting complaint
Ongoing lower back pain for years, worse in the last five after a drop in activity. Intermittent leg pain. Associated knee and shoulder issues. He started with us on 15 September.
What the assessment showed
Reduced straight leg raise on both sides (a hamstring-style stretch we use to check nerve tension in the back of the legs). Intermittent rather than constant leg pain, which fits with mild nerve pressure rather than a frank nerve impingement. Restricted range of motion through the neck in all directions. Mid back joints also tight.
The clinical thinking
Reduced straight leg raise plus intermittent leg pain is typical of a stiff lower back putting mild pressure on the exiting nerves. The treatment goal is to free up the lumbar joints to take pressure off those nerves. Separately, his neck shows the restriction pattern we see with osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint change. That matters because osteoarthritis is an indication for chiropractic care, not a contraindication. Keeping degenerative joints moving is one of the best things you can do to slow the progression and settle the symptoms. We never promise reversal. We promise honest management.
Care plan today
Twice a week for the first four weeks. Manual spinal adjustments through the lower back, mid back and neck. Separately, knee stretching work and shoulder adjustments to address the extra-spinal joints.
How he is now
Early days. He is moving better each visit and feels better on the way out than on the way in.
Rebates at the counter
DVA White Card. Treatment is covered in full after a GP referral. The clinic bulk-bills DVA at $77.05 per visit directly to the Department. There is no gap and no out-of-pocket cost for the patient. Payment typically clears within a couple of days.
If you are still deciding
If you hold a DVA White or Gold Card and your GP has mentioned chiropractic, we work with DVA directly. Nothing out-of-pocket, nothing to claim yourself. Book an initial consultation.
Patient name has been changed. Individual results vary. This case study is shared for educational purposes and does not constitute a clinical recommendation for anyone else.
Frequently asked questions
Does Veterans Affairs cover chiropractic?
Yes. DVA covers chiropractic for both White Card and Gold Card holders when referred by a GP. The clinic bulk-bills DVA directly at $77.05 per visit. There is no gap payment and nothing for the veteran to claim themselves.
Is chiropractic suitable for osteoarthritis?
Yes. Osteoarthritis is an indication for chiropractic care, not a contraindication. Keeping degenerative joints moving helps slow the progression and manage symptoms. We cannot reverse degenerative change, but regular care typically helps patients maintain function and ease pain.
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