FAQS

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

In ancient Greek the word 'chiropractic' translates into 'done by hand'. Modern day chiropractic includes several techniques but in essence it remains manual therapy centering on the neuro-skeletal system.

To qualify as a chiropractor, students complete a Masters degree of seven years at university. Skills in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neuromusculo-skeletal dysfunction in a minimally invasive way are at the heart of the degree.

Mainstream chiropractors use their hands to give small impulses (adjustments) to particular joints which have become stiff. This restores the natural movement of the joint which it may have lost due to injury or incorrect posture. This relative immobility will negatively impact on the nervous system which in turn causes pain and discomfort. When treating infants and small children very gentle 'touch-and-hold' techniques are used with highly successful results.

There is nobody too young or too old to benefit from the effects of chiropractic treatment.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC AND PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Chiropractors are Primary Healthcare Physicians by law and as such are expected to establish their own diagnosis and treatment protocol. As 'Primary Gate-keepers' the profession has the use of the title 'Dr'. Chiropractic generally takes a more more holistic and integrated view of the whole body. Where there has been surgery or injury that specific area will be strengthened on the backdrop of an aligned bony skeleton and then assessed in terms of how the various organs, muscle-groups and joints integrate and function in relation to each other. Ultimately working towards a more functional body rather than just a specific area.

Physiotherapy is a secondary healthcare and a 'post-operational rehab' field. It is within this niche that the treatment really comes into its own and specific muscle groups are strengthened under the diagnosis and guidance of the surgeon or referring doctor.

WILL IT HURT?

Skilled adjusting of joints does not hurt. Occasionally an adjustment is accompanied by a small ‘pop’ or ‘clicking’ noise where the pressure in the joint-capsule is altered. Much like when one opens a bottle of sparkling water and the bubbles move up to the surface. When these bubbles in the joint cavity are squashed, they 'pop' but this does not affect the joint or the quality of the adjustment. The primary aim of any joint adjustment is to restore motion and movement back to the unit as this will re-set the neural messages from nociceptive-pain to mechano-receptive movement messages. Thereby alleviating the patients pain.

Where the body already has inflammation or residual tension, due to faulty posture or injury, some temporary soreness may result. This will settle in the hours following treatment. Your chiropractor will be able to advise you how to manage your treatment and get the most from it.

WHICH CONDITIONS CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP?

Aspects such as the type of condition, patient age, severity of the condition and how long you have had it will all affect how quickly the body responds to treatment. Your chiropractor will discuss a multi-modal approach to treatment which will include passive care as well as advice on exercise, stretches and nutrition to encourage active involvement of the patient in their recovery. Since most injuries involve the muscles surrounding the joint, a course of treatment is usually required as muscles take time to remodel and adapt. Your chiropractor will be able to put together a treatment plan following the initial examination.

Below are some of the conditions treated by chiropractic:

Acute and chronic low back pain
Spinal radiculopathies / 'Slipped discs'.
Migraine and other headaches
Hip and knee osteo-arthritis
Whiplash
Muscle spasms and joint sprains
Pregnancy and post-natal back pain
Excessive crying in infants
Infant constipation and sleeping disorders
Cranio-sacral disorders
Rotator-cuff injuries
Elbow, wrist and hand pain
Sacro-iliac dysfunction / Pseudo sciatica
Shoulder-girdle pain
Posture Analysis
Improvement of Sports Performance

Where conditions are diagnosed which are best treated by a different medical professional, your chiropractor will be happy to advise and refer you.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT?

Chiropractors are the third largest group of Primary health care providers, after physicians and dentists, who treat patients directly.

Official guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) suggest early referral for manual treatment, such as that performed by a chiropractor, is one of the most effective ways of dealing with non-specific low back pain. And a wide range of scientific randomized clinical trials (RCT’s), collected in the Bronfort Report, provides evidence for successful and effective chiropractic treatment for a variety of conditions including lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, dizziness, leg pain, and arm pain.

Just like individual people will have a preference for certain foods or fashions, the body will have a preference for certain types of treatment. It will respond, to varying degrees, to the different treatment-modalities. With your chiropractor you can discuss which treatment modalities you feel most comfortable with.

WILL I NEED TO REMOVE CLOTHING?

In most cases your chiropractor will be able to assess and treat you through your clothes. However, in some cases it may be necessary to remove some clothing to allow the chiropractor to be more effective. In these cases you will be provided with a clinic towel to facilitate treatment. Patients are welcome to have a friend, parent or partner with them at all times.

CAN MY NEW-BORN AND CHILDREN RECEIVE CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT?

The older an injury is, the more ingrained it becomes in the body and the more the body has to compensate for it. Children and infants therefore benefit from having chiropractic treatment early on in their lives as even small bodies function better on a aligned skeleton and this preventative approach helps to avoid problems later in life.

In the UK the leading European chiropractic college and research institute, the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, has published several papers showing the beneficial effect chiropractic treatment has on children. The AECC clinic sees around 10 000 babies a year with a variety of conditions such as excessive crying and postural deviations.

Children are treated with very light ‘adjustments’ and soft-tissue work. Often school and sport commitments may cause aches and pains which respond well to treatment. Infants are treated with a very gentle ‘touch-and-hold’ therapy that stimulates their nervous systems and alleviates pain. A well-documented side-effect of this treatment is improved sleep-patterns in the infant. A bonus for any mother!

No one is too young or too old to benefit from chiropractic treatment.

WHAT IS THE COST?

Please ask your chiropractor / secretary what the current rates are.

HOW FAR APART ARE TREATMENT SESSIONS AND HOW MANY WILL I NEED?

Adults usually have a weekly session for the first few times until the body adopts and maintains the new alignment. Once this is achieved sessions are gradually spaced out to allow the body to take on more 'work / exercise' without relapsing into pain and dysfunction. Once a pain-free state is achieved the patient and chiropractor can discuss the benefits and options of maintenance-care going forward.