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Our Approach

1. Understanding You

Patients in Hurstville turn to Evergreen Spine & Wellness for chiropractic care built on trust, thorough assessment, and evidence-informed treatment. Using the Gonstead method, we focus on identifying the true cause of pain rather than simply managing symptoms. From back and neck pain to headaches and sports injuries, we treat a wide range of conditions, with every treatment plan personalised to the individual to support lasting health and wellness. It's this careful, patient-first approach that has made our clinic a trusted name in Hurstville chiropractic care.

We Listen First

Listening is the first step in understanding the whole person. At Evergreen Spine & Wellness, we take the time to listen to your story and understand what matters most to you before beginning any assessment.

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What you're experiencing

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How it affects your daily life

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What concerns you most

What you hope to achieve

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Person-centred Care

Every person experiences pain differently. By listening to and understanding your experiences, concerns, goals, and how your symptoms affect your daily life, we gain a broader picture of the factors that may be influencing your health, symptoms, and recovery.

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2. Putting The Pieces Together

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We Look Beyond The Symptoms

Pain and recovery are rarely influenced by a single factor. At Evergreen Spine & Wellness, we identify the biological, psychological, and social factors that may be contributing to your condition to build a clearer picture of what may be driving your symptoms and influencing your recovery.

Clinical Reasoning

Like putting together a puzzle, every piece of information tells part of your story. Clinical reasoning helps us connect those pieces to identify the factors most likely contributing to your condition and guide the most appropriate management for your individual needs.

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3. Making Sense Of Your Pain

We Help You Make Sense Of Your Pain

Every person experiences pain differently. By listening to and understanding your experiences, concerns, goals, and how your symptoms affect your daily life, we gain a broader picture of the factors that may be influencing your health, symptoms, and recovery.

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The Modern Understanding Of Pain

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Pain is a protective response—not simply a measure of tissue damage.

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Pain intensity does not always reflect tissue damage. Imaging finding do not always explain your pain

"Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage."

- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) - 

4. Making Decisions Together

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We Set Goals Together

Meaningful goals guide meaningful recovery. Your goals help shape your care. By working together, we build a strong therapeutic alliance and focus on what matters most to you.

Evidence-informed Care

The best decisions are made together. We combine the best available scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and your goals, values and preferences to guide personalised care.

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Reference

Arrigoni, A., Rossettini, G., Palese, A., Thacker, M. and Esteves, J.E. (2024) Exploring the role of therapeutic alliance and biobehavioural synchrony in musculoskeletal care: Insights from a qualitative study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 73, 103164.

 

Belton, J., Birkinshaw, H. and Pincus, T. (2022) Patient-centred consultations for persons with musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 30, 53.

 

Carmona, C., Crutwell, J., Burnham, M. and Polak, L. (2021) Shared decision-making: Summary of NICE guidance. BMJ, 373, n1430.

 

Cholewicki, J., Breen, A., Popovich, J.M., Reeves, N.P., Sahrmann, S.A., Van Dillen, L.R., Vleeming, A. and Hodges, P.W. (2019) Can biomechanics research lead to more effective treatment of low back pain? A point–counterpoint debate. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 49(6), pp.425–436.

 

Cook, C.E. and Keter, D.L. (2026) Musculoskeletal Treatment Mechanisms: A Puzzle That May Never Be Fully Solved. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.

 

Fanuscu, A., Meuwissen, I. and Meeus, M. (2025) The Past, Present, and Future of the Biopsychosocial Approach to Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain in Research and Clinical Practice Based on a Bibliometric Analysis. Pain Physician, 28, pp.397–416.

Gliedt, J.A., Schneider, M.J., Evans, M.W., King, J. and Eubanks, J.E. (2017) The biopsychosocial model and chiropractic: A commentary with recommendations for the chiropractic profession. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 25, 16.

 

Hutting, N., Caneiro, J.P., Ong’wen, O.M., Miciak, M. and Roberts, L. (2022) Patient-centered care in musculoskeletal practice: Key elements to support clinicians to focus on the person. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 57, 102434.

 

Keter, D., Hutting, N., Vogsland, R. and Cook, C.E. (2024) Integrating Person-Centered Concepts and Modern Manual Therapy. JOSPT Open, 2(1), pp.60–70.

 

Kinney, M., Seider, J., Beaty, A.F., Coughlin, K., Dyal, M. and Clewley, D. (2018) The impact of therapeutic alliance in physical therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of the literature. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.

 

Leake, H.B., Moseley, G.L., Murphy, L.K., Murray, C.B., Palermo, T.M. and Heathcote, L.C. (2023) How does pain work? A qualitative analysis of how young adults with chronic pain conceptualize the biology of pain. European Journal of Pain, 27(3), pp.424–437.

 

Leininger, B., Evans, R., Greco, C.M., Hanson, L., Schulz, C., Schneider, M., Connett, J., Keefe, F., Glick, R.M. and Bronfort, G. (2025) Supported biopsychosocial self-management for back-related leg pain: A randomized feasibility study integrating a whole-person perspective. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 33, 6.

 

Linton, S.J., O'Sullivan, P.B., Zetterberg, H.E. and Vlaeyen, J.W.S. (2024) The "Future" Pain Clinician: Competencies Needed to Provide Psychologically Informed Care. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 24.

 

Moore, B.E., Schleidgen, L., Hang, C.P., Rabey, M., Ng, L., Chai, K.E.K., Melton, P., Cowen, G., Beales, D. and Moloney, N. (2026) Protection from Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Scoping Review. European Journal of Pain, 30, e70273.

 

Moseley, G.L., Leake, H.B., Beetsma, A.J., Watson, J.A., Butler, D.S., van der Mee, A., Stinson, J.N., Harvie, D., Palermo, T.M., Meeus, M. and Ryan, C.G. (2024) Teaching Patients About Pain: The Emergence of Pain Science Education, its Learning Frameworks and Delivery Strategies. The Journal of Pain, 25(5), 104425.

 

Nijs, J., Lahousse, A. and Malfliet, A. (2023) A Paradigm Shift from a Tissue- and Disease-Based Approach Towards Multimodal Lifestyle Interventions for Chronic Pain: 5 Steps to Guide Clinical Reasoning. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 27, 100556.

 

Shepherd, M.H., McDevitt, A., Keter, D., Albers, N., Clewley, D. and Cook, C.E. (2025) The Person-Centered Hypothesis Framework: Advancing Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Pain Management. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 80, 103395.

 

Slater, H., Jordan, J.E., O’Sullivan, P.B., Schütze, R., Goucke, R., Chua, J., Browne, A., Horgan, B., De Morgan, S. and Briggs, A.M. (2022) "Listen to me, learn from me": A priority setting partnership for shaping interdisciplinary pain training to strengthen chronic pain care. PAIN, 163(11), e1145–e1163.

 

Stilwell, P. and Harman, K. (2019) An Enactive Approach to Pain: Beyond the Biopsychosocial Model. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences.

 

Swann, C., Buchan, J., Calleja, E.A., Goddard, S.G., Clarke, M.M., Hawkins, R.M., Jackman,P.C., Schweickle, M.J., Vella, S.A. and Rosenbaum, S. (2026) Goal Setting in Exercise and Physical Activity: An Expert Statement on Behalf of Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Sports Medicine.

 

Unsgaard-Tøndel, M. and Søderstrøm, S. (2021) Therapeutic Alliance: Patients’ Expectations Before and Experiences After Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain—A Qualitative Study With 6-Month Follow-Up. Physical Therapy, 101, pzab187.

 

Wand, B.M., Cashin, A.G., McAuley, J.H., Bagg, M.K., Orange, G.M. and Moseley, G.L. (2023) The Fit-for-Purpose Model: Conceptualizing and Managing Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain as an Information Problem. Physical Therapy, 103(2).

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Looking for a more personalised approach to pain care?

If you're experiencing pain, stiffness, movement limitations, or recurring symptoms, we're here to help you

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