Health Wise Chiropractic – Terms & Conditions and Patient Consent

Effective Date: February 2026
ABN: 16 691 733 612

By booking or attending an appointment with Health Wise Chiropractic, you agree to these Terms & Conditions and acknowledge your informed consent to chiropractic treatment.

1. Definitions

• Health Wise Chiropractic: Julian Simpson ABN 16 691733612 trading as Health Wise Chiropractic.

• Practitioner: Any chiropractor, massage therapist, or clinician associated with Health Wise Chiropractic.

• Booking: Any scheduled consultation, treatment, or appointment.

• Prepaid Booking: Booking paid in advance.

• Standard Booking: Booking without prepayment.

• Patient / You / Your: Person receiving treatment or making the booking.

• Gift Voucher / Card: Prepaid credit for services.

• Child / Adolescent / Infant / Adult: Infant (<2 years), Child (2–12 years), Adolescent (13–18 years), Adult (>18 years).

2. Booking and Payment

• Bookings may be made online, via email, phone, or in-person.

• Confirmed when payment is received (if required).

• Prepaid bookings require full payment at the time of booking.

• Payments accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, PayPal, Medicare, Health Insurance, EFT.

• Surcharges may apply to certain card types and are displayed at checkout.

3. Cancellation and No-Shows

• Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to appointment; otherwise:

  • Prepaid vouchers or bookings may be forfeited.

  • Late cancellations incur a 50% cancellation fee.

• No-shows or early terminations will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

• Any remaining balance may be held as Booking Credit, valid for 6 months.

4. Vouchers and Promotions

• No expiry for vouchers unless specified.

• Vouchers cannot be combined with other offers unless permitted.

• Must be redeemed in a single visit unless a multi-session deal is specified.

• Additional customers without a voucher pay full price.

• Lost, defaced, or stolen vouchers are not replaced or refunded.

5. Wellness Membership

• Booking times: Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–5:30 pm.

• Family appointments: max 2 adults + 2 children.

• Prepayment required at the start of each month.

• Weekly care = once per week; fortnightly care = once every 14 days.

• Appointments must be pre-booked for the month; missed sessions <24 hours notice are void.

• Not available on public holidays.

• Additional sessions may be discounted for members.

• Membership start date can be anytime; recurring payments align with start date.

6. Bulk Billing / Gap-Free Care

• DVA: Bring gold/white card; details recorded by staff.

• Medicare: EPC/CDM form required; gap may apply for sessions other than New Patient or Standard Consultation.

• TAC / Workcover: Provide claim number, liaison contact, and approved session details. Gap-free applies to New Patient / Standard Consultations only.

• Missed or late cancellations still incur fees.

7. Rewards Program

• Points do not expire.

• Accumulate points on chiropractic adjustments or chiropractic + massage sessions.

• Not applicable to wellness membership, bulk-billed, pro bono, or promotional sessions.

• Once sufficient points are earned, a voucher is emailed, valid for 30 days.

8. Risk to Patients and Informed Consent

Chiropractic care involves assessment and treatment of the spine, muscles, and joints, which may include:

• Spinal adjustments (manual or instrument-assisted)

• Soft tissue therapies (massage, cupping, hot stones)

• Dry needling, shockwave therapy, ultrasound

• Y-strap techniques and other clinically approved modalities

Potential Risks:

• Common: temporary muscle soreness, stiffness, or fatigue.

• Rare: cervical (neck) adjustments may damage a blood vessel, potentially causing stroke or stroke-like symptoms (~1 in 5.85 million) (Halderman et al., Spine, 1998).

• Serious complications from prescription anti-inflammatory drugs are ~3,300 times more likely than from spinal manipulation.

Post-Treatment Recommendations:

• 20–30 minutes light cardio (walking/swimming)

• Gentle stretches and range-of-motion exercises

• Adequate hydration (~2L/day)

• Relaxation or meditation (10 min/day) to stimulate the vagus nerve

• Further guidance: STAND CORRECTED online program

Consent Statement:

I consent to receive chiropractic treatment recommended by my clinician, including joint adjustments, mobilisation, and soft tissue therapies to my spine, pelvis, and extremities. This consent applies to all current and future treatments at Health Wise Chiropractic. I acknowledge the risks and have had the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns.

Reference: Paanalahti et al., BMC Musculoskelet Disord., 2014;15:77.

9. Privacy and Use of Information

• All personal and health information is held in confidence under the Privacy Act 1988.

• Information may be shared with:

  • Other chiropractors within the clinic

  • Medical professionals, insurers, or lawyers as required for case management

• Patients may access or correct their information upon request.

10. Child/Adolescent Policy

• Children (<13) must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Adolescents (13–18) must be accompanied for initial consultation and diagnostic appointments.

• No childcare services provided.

11. Practitioner Allocation

• If your chosen practitioner is unavailable, an equivalent practitioner will be provided.

• If no suitable alternative is available, a booking credit or refund will be issued.

• Patient-requested alternative practitioners may incur price differences.

12. Third-Party Products and Services

• Health Wise Chiropractic acts only as an agent; liability for third-party products or services rests with the provider.

• Third-party coupons, vouchers, or tickets are subject to the third-party’s terms.

13. Release, Indemnity & Limitation of Liability

• To the extent permitted by law, you release and indemnify Health Wise Chiropractic, its officers, staff, contractors, and agents against claims arising from your booking or treatment, except where caused by negligence or breach of terms.

• Aggregate liability is limited to the amount paid for the booking.

• Indemnities survive termination of these Terms.

14. Consumer Law Rights

• Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

• Services must be supplied with due care and skill, fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable time.

• Remedies under ACL include service re-supply or refund.

15. Events Beyond Control

• Health Wise Chiropractic is not responsible for events beyond its control, including acts of God, terrorism, strikes, delays, or government action.

16. General

• Terms are governed by laws of Victoria, Australia.

• If any clause is invalid, unenforceable, or illegal, the remainder remains in effect.

• Acceptance of Terms occurs upon booking or attending treatment.