Is chiropractic care covered by insurance?

Doctors of Chiropractic (registered chiropractors) have a statutory medical professional status in Hong Kong, providing spinal correction services to the public. Currently, most insurance companies in Hong Kong are able to reimburse chiropractic consultation and treatment fees.

General accident insurance, company medical insurance, personal medical insurance, workers insurance, travel insurance, and other insurances accept claims for chiropractic treatment fees. Of course, the conditions, amount, and details of reimbursement depend on the individual’s insurance policy. To avoid any confusion, we recommend patients to discuss their policy with their agent or issuing insurance company before making a claim.

Some insurance companies require patients to first consult a general practitioner, who will then refer them to a chiropractor. The referral letter from the general practitioner must be obtained on the day of consultation or before the consultation.

According to Hong Kong legislation Chapter 428 “Chiropractors Registration Ordinance,” patients do not need a referral letter to consult a chiropractor for medical and legal purposes. Unless required by insurance, patients can consult a chiropractor directly. (The above referral letter is applicable for insurance claims requirements only.)

Regarding accident insurance, patients should explain the details and experiences of the accident to the chiropractor during the initial consultation, which will assist in the diagnostic process. If necessary, the chiropractor will refer the patient to a radiology center for further diagnosis (such as X-rays or MRI etc.). We will also assist in providing relevant documentations for the patient for claim submission. For imaging diagnostic reimbursement, we also recommend patients to inquire with their insurance company or agent before making a claim.

Are chiropractic adjustments the same as just cracking joints?

The techniques used by Doctors of chiropractic (registered chiropractors) for treatment are based on professional training and comprehensive medical assessment. Chiropractic adjustments are provided according to the results and data of the diagnosis which is targeted and specific. This is different from the “cracking bones” techniques used by unrecognized and non-registered individuals. When patients decide to pursue such services, they must consider whether the treatment provided by such individuals are credible or safe to avoid any unwanted injuries and complications.

What is the difference between chiropractors and physiotherapists?

Doctors of Chiropractic (registered chiropractors) in Hong Kong belong to a healthcare system outside of traditional Chinese and Western medicine and are primary healthcare professionals (patients can seek treatment directly without a referral letter).

Chiropractors primarily focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the spine, spinal joints and the nervous system. Patients are evaluated through a comprehensive medical assessment with radiology imaging before receiving care. Treatment usually includes manual adjustments and other rehabilitative techniques, rather than relying on medication and invasive (surgical) treatment methods.

Physiotherapists in Hong Kong are healthcare professionals under the “Supplementary Medical Professions” who belong to traditional Western medicine (requiring a Doctor’s referral). They mainly assist orthopedic surgeons in treating patients and addressing issues such as musculoskeletal pain and mobility restrictions from a surgery or injury. The goal of physiotherapy is to restore muscular function and relieve pain through physical/exercise assessments and rehabilitation, manual therapy, various electrical therapies, hydrotherapy, and dry needling.

How many times do you need to see a chiropractor?

According to the Hong Kong Chiropractic Council’s “Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Chiropractors,” chiropractic services should not exceed 10 visits or last more than 12 months. To ensure the patient’s recovery, we will continue to update the progress throughout and modify to a more suitable treatment plan when necessary. During the initial consultation, the chiropractor will explain the treatment recommendations and the expected recovery time in the report.

Is chiropractic safe?

All Doctors of Chiropractic (registered chiropractors) in Hong Kong are regulated by Chiropractors Council under the Department of Health. The Council has established strict professional codes and ethics to ensure that registered chiropractors provide high quality services of recognized professional standards, with a certain guarantee of safety.

Chiropractic adjustments are commonly used to treat conditions in the spine and extremities, but some patients are concerned that it may cause side effects, particularly strokes. However, a study published in 2016 in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases indicated that there is no causal relationship between chiropractic adjustments and strokes. This study compared the conditions of stroke patients receiving chiropractic adjustments and those receiving general family doctor services, finding that amongst patients under 45, the association between strokes and chiropractic adjustment was synonymous of that with general family doctor services.

Additionally, a report published by the World Health Organization in 2005 stated that the techniques used by qualified chiropractors are safe, with a very low probability of stroke; the likelihood of stroke during chiropractic adjustment is only 1 in 2 million to 1 in 5.8 million.

In summary, chiropractic adjustments and strokes are only correlated, but there is likely no causal relationship between them.

If you are experiencing any spinal issues, it is recommended to consult a registered chiropractor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

Unregistered Therapists

According to the guidelines of the Department of Health, anyone practicing chiropractic in Hong Kong must apply for registration with the Chiropractic Council; otherwise, it is a criminal offense and may result in a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 1 year.

The educational background and qualifications of unregistered individuals are not certified, and their services and conduct are also not regulated. When patients seek medical advice from unregistered individuals, they must consider the risks and consequences involved.