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| What is chiropractic? Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who undergo a rigorous training enabling them to diagnose and treat specific disorders of the spine, muscles and joints and the effects they have on the nervous system. If they feel that chiropractic treatment is not suitable for you they will refer you to your GP or other health care professional. |
| Who needs chiropractic care? Chiropractic care is for everyone and all ages. Some of the most common complaints referred to chiropractors are: • Back pain • Neck pain • Headache or migraine • Shoulder, arm, wrist or hand pain • Hip, knee and foot pain • “Slipped disc” and “sciatica” • Repetitive strain injuries (RSI’s) • Trapped nerves • Sports injuries |
| Our goals for you Whoever you are, whatever your age, condition or previous history, we want to help you to be as fit and well as you possibly can be. |
| So, if you are a competitive sportsperson and have come in with a sports injury, we want to help you get quickly back to your sport, and fit and strong enough to minimise the chance of further injury. On the other hand, you may be elderly, less active and less steady on your feet than you used to be. Our goal is to help you to be as painfree, active and agile as you can possibly be, helping to reduce the chance of injury from falls and enabling you to enjoy life more. |
| What to expect We understand that your first visit might be quite daunting; we want to make the whole experience as pleasant as possible for you. When you first arrive at the clinic one of our reception team will greet you and ask you to fill out a short form. All information is kept strictly confidential from this first meeting throughout the course of your treatment. |
| Case history and consultation A detailed case history will be taken first, so your chiropractor can build up a picture of the events that may have caused your symptoms. You will be asked questions about the pains and complaints you are having and also about your medical history. |
| Physical examination Your chiropractor will next perform a thorough examination. This includes postural analysis, orthopaedic and neurological testing, and individual joint examination. Your blood pressure and pulses may also be assessed. If it is clinically necessary x-rays and other tests will be arranged. |
| Report of findings A treatment plan will be designed to suit your specific condition. Your chiropractor will discuss your individual plan with you, including the mechanics behind your symptoms, and the specific treatment, timescale and costs. Any questions you may have will be discussed before asking you for your consent to treatment. |
| Treatment In Chiropractic treatment the emphasis is on prevention and “adjustment” (the chiropractic word for manipulation). Chiropractors use their hands to make specific, safe adjustments to free joints that are not moving properly, and improve nerve and muscle function. Your body’s own healing processes will then be able to continue the task of restoring health. These adjustments concentrate particularly on the spinal joints but can be performed on all the joints of the body. Your chiropractor will also use soft tissue therapies to complement your treatment including deep massage and stretching, ultrasound and acupuncture. “Rehabilitation” exercises are prescribed to restore muscle and joint condition. The treatment is tailored to suit your individual needs, taking into consideration your age, health, and specific condition. |