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Chiropractic is the third largest primary health care profession in the world after medicine and dentistry. Chiropractors specialise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the spine, joints and muscles. Chiropractic training - five years full time and one postgraduate year as an associate - is aimed at providing not only the precise manipulative skills for treatment but the diagnostic acumen necessary to differentiate those who may benefit from chiropractic, from those with conditions needing referral for other treatment. As your Chiropractor may be using x-ray examination as part of the diagnostic procedure they are all additionally trained in radiography / radiology. As such they are governed by strict rules, regulations and standards produced by the Radiological Protection Advisory Board. This includes regular inspection of procedures and equipment. We would like to see Chiropractors consulted as naturally for bodily aches and pains as a dentist is for toothache! About half the patients who consult us are suffering from low back pain with or without sciatica. Chiropractic is also used to treat neck, shoulder and arm pain, headaches, as well as muscular strains and joint sprains. If a spinal component is present, chiropractic can be effective in relieving migraine, dizziness, pins and needles and numbness. back to top As we are primary care practitioners, you can call our clinic and make an appointment direct - you do not need to be referred. However there are some GP practices that have been purchasing our services on the NHS for some years and they may refer you here. There are many others who have not taken this major step but who approve of and recommend our services. back to top The main purpose of the initial consultation is to arrive at a diagnosis of your problem, in order to determine whether chiropractic treatment is likely to help you. A full case history will be taken, and you will be asked questions not only about your particular problem but also about your medical history and any accidents which may have a bearing on your condition. Your Chiropractor will then give you a thorough examination of the spine and any other area related to the symptoms. This will include a number of orthopaedic and neurological tests aimed at confirming the source of the problem. Few other orthodox clinicians give as much importance to the feel of joints and tissues, nor the strength and function of your muscles, to arrive at a precise diagnosis. If necessary your Chiropractor will take x-rays of the area involved. The films are developed on the premises and will be ready for your second visit, at which time your Chiropractor will explain the x-rays to you and commence treatment. If underlying disease is suspected, a consultation with your own GP for further evaluation will be advised. back to top Chiropractic care mainly involves treatment by manipulation to the joints of the spine or other areas of the body. Most often, this involves a short impulse to the joint, often resulting in an audible 'pop' as the joint is released. Chiropractors call this an 'adjustment'. Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt - although there may be some minor short-term discomfort which passes quickly for most patients. Apart from the adjustment, your chiropractor may use a variety of techniques - including massage, stretching, ultrasound and exercises as well as lifestyle advice on ways to reduce stress on the body during everyday activities. When the 'hands on' side of the treatment is drawing to a conclusion, care is taken to ascertain whether an ongoing rehabilitation programme of exercises is needed - either at home or in our own rehab gym. The number of visits necessary varies considerably. Generally a longer period of treatment is needed for long standing problems than for more recent ones. The rate of improvement will also depend on your particular problem. Some patients feel immediate improvement whilst others will need several treatments before they start to feel better. As a clinic we are happy to provide periodic check ups to help maintain your health. back to top We all know there are risks when attending any healthcare professional, but generally these risks and reactions are much less than with many other options for your problem. Some patients may experience temporary soreness over the areas being treated - with redness or even bruising of the skin if deep massage has been administered. Spinal disc problems may appear to flare-up in the early stages of treatment and where an underlying inflammation is already present, your condition may initially seem to worsen. Treatment to the neck may give a distinct lightheadedness - infrequently a short-lived headache may appear. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon. Very rarely, manipulation of the neck has been linked with strokes - although research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment available, for a wide array of nerve, spine and muscle associated problems throughout the body. Your chiropractor will, of course, be more than happy to fully discuss all concerns you may have regarding your treatment, giving an honest appraisal of your particular case. back to top Randomised trials have shown chiropractic treatment to be far more effective for low back pain than hospital management. 1. Furthermore, long
term follow up (five years later) showed patients treated by Chiropractors
to be significantly better than patients seen by medical doctors and physiotherapists.
2. The chiropractic
principle of early intervention and active patient rehabilitation has
been endorsed by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group which advises the
NHS and government as to the way forward in spinal management. 3. The Chiropractors
unique skill makes them the ideal source of primary careš in the management
of back pain and many other human ailments caused by the musculo-skeletal
system. The clinic takes pride
in its service. It audits its procedures and outcomes so that continual
improvements in service to you can be made. This ensures the highest standards
of care are maintained at all times, since we principally rely on patient
satisfaction for future referrals. |
