Do I Need a Referral for a Chiropractor?

No, you do not need a referral from your GP to visit a chiropractor. In the Netherlands, you can book an appointment with a chiropractor directly as a patient, without the involvement of a doctor or specialist. This applies to virtually all complaints for which chiropractic care is suitable. Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the first visit, reimbursements, and when chiropractic care is the right choice.

Can I book an appointment with a chiropractor directly?

Yes, you can book an appointment with a chiropractor directly without a referral from your GP. Chiropractic care is freely accessible in the Netherlands, which means you can take the initiative yourself as soon as you experience complaints. You do not need to visit your GP first, sit in a waiting room, or arrange a referral letter.

This direct access model is a major advantage, especially for acute complaints such as a stiff neck, sudden back pain, or tension headaches. While you may wait weeks for an appointment with some conventional healthcare providers, a chiropractor is often available quickly. For urgent cases, many practices even offer the possibility of a short-notice appointment.

Would you like to schedule an appointment right away? You can easily do so online via our booking system.

Will my health insurance cover a chiropractor without a referral?

Whether your health insurance covers chiropractic care depends on the type of supplementary insurance you have taken out. In the Netherlands, chiropractic care does not fall under basic insurance, but many supplementary packages do offer reimbursement, even without a referral from a GP.

Since insurance policies vary considerably, it is wise to check this in advance. Pay attention to the following points:

• Supplementary package: Check whether your supplementary insurance covers alternative or complementary care.
• Maximum amount: Many policies apply an annual maximum for chiropractic care, often between €200 and €600.
• Recognised practitioner: Some insurers only reimburse treatments by chiropractors who are affiliated with a recognised professional association.
• Referral required: Although the chiropractor themselves does not require a referral, your insurer may set this as a condition for reimbursement. Always check this in your policy terms.

If in doubt, contact your health insurer before making an appointment. This way you will not be caught off guard.

When is it still advisable to consult your GP first?

Although in most cases you can go directly to a chiropractor, there are situations where it is wiser to consult your GP first. This is particularly the case when your complaints are accompanied by signs that may indicate an underlying medical condition.

Consult your GP first if you experience one or more of the following complaints:

• Back pain following a fall, accident, or trauma
• Pain accompanied by fever, weight loss, or general malaise
• Radiating pain with numbness or loss of strength in the arms or legs
• Problems with bladder or bowel function in combination with back complaints
• Pain that worsens at night or does not respond to rest

These symptoms may indicate conditions for which chiropractic care is not the primary recommended treatment. A good chiropractor will always ask follow-up questions about such signs during the intake consultation and, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider.

What happens during the first visit to the chiropractor?

During the first visit to a chiropractor, there is always an extensive intake consultation first, followed by a physical examination. Based on this, the chiropractor draws up a treatment plan tailored to your specific complaints and situation.

The first consultation typically consists of the following components:

1. Intake and anamnesis: The chiropractor asks questions about your complaints, their duration, your medical history, and lifestyle.
2. Physical examination: Posture, mobility of the spine, and neurological reflexes are assessed.
3. Diagnosis and explanation: The chiropractor explains what is going on and which treatment is most appropriate.
4. First treatment: Depending on the findings, a treatment may already take place during the first visit.

A chiropractor works with various techniques, depending on the nature of the complaint and the condition of the spine. These include slow, flowing stretching movements aimed at decompression and relaxation, as well as faster techniques such as the HVLA method (High Velocity Low Amplitude). The latter is used when an actual adjustment is needed, for example in the case of a blocked vertebra.

For which complaints can you visit a chiropractor?

A chiropractor treats a wide range of complaints related to the spine, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system. The most common complaints for which people visit a chiropractor are back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint complaints.

Chiropractic care can be effective for, among other things:

• Lower back pain and herniated disc
• Neck pain and whiplash
• Tension headaches and migraines
• Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder
• Pelvic complaints during pregnancy
• Sports injuries and overuse complaints
• Complaints in babies and children, such as positional preference or restlessness

Chiropractic care focuses not only on relieving symptoms, but on restoring balance in the spine and improving communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body. This holistic approach also makes chiropractic care suitable for prevention and maintaining a healthy physical balance in the long term.

How we at Ruggensteun help with your complaints

At Ruggensteun, we believe that everyone has the right to accessible, personal, and cause-oriented care, without long waiting times or unnecessary barriers. Whether you are suffering from acute back pain, chronic neck complaints, or want to work preventively on your health, we are here for you.

What we offer:

• No referral needed: You can come to us directly, even for acute complaints.
• Specialised techniques: We are one of the few chiropractors in the Netherlands certified for the Y-Strap treatment, in addition to CFR and dry needling.
• Care for all ages: From babies and children to pregnant women and the elderly.
• Quick availability: For urgent complaints, we ensure a prompt appointment.
• Free parking: At both locations in Eindhoven and Valkenswaard.

Would you like to know what we can do for you? Feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information about our treatments and specialisations.