澳大利亞的脊椎指壓療法

吳宇琛

SUM WU

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吳宇琛，澳大利亞政府注册中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，澳大利亞松軒中醫藥中心主任醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長。

擅長用傳統針灸理傷手法和中藥治療各種新舊損傷痛症，特別採用中醫中藥和現代心理學、營養學相結合調理治療各種慢性病和亞健康。

Chiropractic Care in Australia 

澳大利亞的脊椎指壓療法

Chiropractic care is a regulated health profession in Australia that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly those involving the spine. With its roots in the late 19th century, chiropractic has evolved into a mainstream form of complementary healthcare that emphasizes manual therapy, spinal adjustments, and a holistic understanding of health. In Australia, chiropractors are widely recognized for their role in managing conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and postural issues.

脊椎指壓療法（Chiropractic care）是澳大利亞一項受監管的健康專業，主要關注診斷、治療和預防肌肉骨骼系統（尤其是脊椎）出現的機械性障礙。這一療法起源於19世紀末，發展至今已成為主流的輔助醫療形式，強調手法治療、脊椎調整以及整體健康觀念。在澳大利亞，脊椎指壓師因其在治療背痛、頸痛、頭痛以及姿勢問題等方面的作用而廣受認可。

Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to restore mobility to joints, especially in the spine, that may be restricted due to injury, poor posture, repetitive stress, or age-related changes. The cornerstone of chiropractic treatment is the spinal adjustment—a specific manual manipulation intended to improve alignment, relieve pain, and enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Alongside manual therapy, many chiropractors offer guidance on posture, ergonomics, exercise, and lifestyle habits to support long-term musculoskeletal health.

脊椎指壓師通過徒手技術恢復關節活動度，特別是因受傷、不良姿勢、重複性勞損或年齡因素而活動受限的脊椎關節。脊椎治療的核心是脊椎調整——一種特定的手法操作，旨在改善脊柱對齊、緩解疼痛，並增强身體自然自愈能力。除了手法治療，許多脊椎指壓師還提供姿勢指導、人機工程建議、鍛煉計畫和生活方式調整建議，以支持長期的肌肉骨骼健康。

Australia has a robust regulatory framework for chiropractic care. Chiropractors must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and meet the national standards set by the Chiropractic Board of Australia. To qualify, practitioners typically complete a five-year university education, including a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science and a Master of Clinical Chiropractic. This ensures that chiropractic care provided in Australia meets high clinical and ethical standards.

澳大利亞擁有完善的脊椎指壓療法監管體系。從業人員必須在澳大利亞健康從業者管理局（AHPRA）注册，並滿足澳大利亞脊椎指壓委員會設定的國家標準。通常，脊椎指壓師需完成為期五年的大學教育，包括脊椎科學學士和臨床脊椎治療碩士課程，以確保其治療服務具備高水准的臨床和道德標準。

The popularity of chiropractic care is evident in both urban and regional areas across the country. According to the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), over one million Australians visit chiropractors each year, with many seeking help for spinal discomfort, headaches, sports injuries, and workplace-related postural problems. A typical chiropractic consultation includes a detailed history, physical examination, diagnosis, and a tailored treatment plan. Chiropractors often work collaboratively with general practitioners, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals to provide integrated care.

脊椎指壓療法在澳大利亞城鄉均頗受歡迎。根據澳大利亞脊椎指壓協會（ACA）統計，每年有超過一百萬澳大利亞人接受脊椎治療，主要治療脊椎不適、頭痛、運動損傷和與工作有關的姿勢問題。一次標準的就診過程通常包括詳盡的健康史、體格檢查、診斷與個性化治療方案。脊椎指壓師常與全科醫生、物理治療師及其他輔助醫療專業人員合作，提供綜合式治療服務。

Chiropractic care is accessible through both private and public channels. While it is not routinely covered by Medicare for standalone visits, Australians can receive Medicare rebates for chiropractic care when referred by a general practitioner under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. Additionally, most private health insurance policies with extras cover include chiropractic services, further enhancing accessibility.

脊椎治療可通過公私渠道獲得。儘管單獨治療通常不包含在Medicare項目中，但在醫生開具慢性病管理計畫（CDM）後，患者可獲得部分Medicare補貼。此外，大多數帶有額外保障的私人健康保險也涵蓋脊椎治療，進一步提升了治療的可及性。

Despite its widespread use, chiropractic care has not been without controversy. Some criticisms have stemmed from earlier claims made by some practitioners about treating non-musculoskeletal conditions such as asthma or colic. Today, the profession is increasingly evidence-based, focusing on well-supported applications like musculoskeletal pain and injury management. The Chiropractic Board of Australia enforces strict advertising and professional conduct codes to ensure that claims are accurate and scientifically supported.

儘管廣泛使用，脊椎指壓療法也曾引發爭議。部分爭議來自個別從業人員曾聲稱可治療如哮喘或嬰兒腸絞痛等非肌肉骨骼疾病。如今，該專業正朝著循證方向發展，聚焦於有明確研究支持的肌肉骨骼疼痛與損傷管理。澳大利亞脊椎指壓委員會對廣告和專業行為實施嚴格監管，以確保所有聲明準確、科學可信。

Potential for risks

潛在風險

Chiropractic care is widely used throughout Australia for its hands-on approach to managing musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. While it is generally considered safe when performed by qualified professionals, it is important for patients to be aware of the potential risks and complications that can arise. Understanding these dangers helps individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare.

脊椎指壓療法在澳大利亞因其徒手處理肌肉骨骼問題（如背痛、頸痛和頭痛）而被廣泛採用。雖然由合格專業人員操作時通常被認為是安全的，但患者仍需瞭解可能存在的風險與併發症，以做出明智的醫療選擇。

Most chiropractic patients experience mild and temporary side effects following treatment. These may include soreness, stiffness, fatigue, or mild headaches, particularly after spinal adjustments. Such effects are common and typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours without the need for additional intervention.

大多數患者在治療後可能會經歷輕微且短暫的不適反應，如酸痛、僵硬、疲勞或輕度頭痛，尤其在接受脊椎調整後更為常見。這些症狀通常在24至48小時內自行消退，無需額外處理。

However, there are rare but more serious risks associated with chiropractic manipulation, particularly when high-velocity techniques are used on the neck. One of the most significant concerns is the possibility of a vertebral artery dissection, a tear in the artery that supplies blood to the brain. This can potentially lead to a stroke. Although the risk is extremely low, estimated at less than one in several million treatments, it is a widely discussed issue in both medical and chiropractic circles.

然而，某些高風險操作，特別是在頸部施以高速手法時，可能引發罕見但嚴重的問題。其中最受關注的是椎動脈夾層，一種供血腦部的動脈撕裂，它可能導致中風。儘管發生率極低，估計在數百萬次治療中才會出現一次，但這是醫學界和脊椎治療界反復討論的話題。

Other uncommon complications include nerve damage, herniated discs, or joint injuries. These can occur if improper force is applied, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions such as osteoporosis or severe arthritis. In such cases, spinal manipulation can do more harm than good if the practitioner does not thoroughly assess the patient’s condition beforehand.

其他罕見但潜在的併發症包括神經損傷、椎間盤突出或關節損傷。若在操作中使用不當力度，尤其是患者原本患有骨質疏鬆或嚴重關節炎等疾病時，這類傷害風險更高。 因此，治療前全面評估患者狀況至關重要。

The treatment of infants and young children with chiropractic care has also generated public concern in Australia. In 2019, the Victorian Government launched a review into spinal manipulation on infants after video footage of a treatment sparked a national debate. While some chiropractors continue to treat children, many healthcare professionals advise caution, as there is limited evidence to support spinal manipulation in very young patients, and the risks may outweigh the benefits.

對嬰幼兒進行脊椎指壓治療在澳大利亞也引發了公眾關注。2019年，維多利亞州政府曾因一段治療嬰兒的視頻引發全國爭議，而對該療法展開審查。儘管部分脊椎指壓師仍為兒童提供治療，但許多醫療專業人士建議謹慎使用，因為現有證據支持程度有限，而風險可能大於收益。

如有疑問想咨詢吳宇琛中醫師，可以在微信或whatsapp搜索0404836368，加吳宇琛中醫師微信或whatsapp，也可以發短信或致電0404836368作語音留言，吳宇琛中醫師有空就會回復。

（吳宇琛中醫師，澳大利亞政府注册中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，悉尼好思維松軒藥行主任中醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長，本文僅供參考，具體診療應諮詢專業人士。）