Chiropractic is the Science, Art and Philosophy that concerns itself with the restoration of
good health by restoring and maintaining a properly functioning neuromusculoskeletal system, without the use of drugs or surgery.
Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession, so you do not need to be referred by your doctor.
A chiropractor is trained to diagnose your problem and will refer you to another health-care practitioner if necessary.
Chiropractors deal primarily with the spine. The spine is a series of bones called vertebrae that fit together to allow movement,
provide support for the body and protect the spinal cord. Think of your spine; it allows you to bend, twist, look either side and arch
backwards. The vertebrae join together to form a bony canal called the spinal column. Like a telephone network, from here the nerves
go to every part of your body, carrying information to and from the brain and spinal cord.
People of all ages and from all walks of life may benefit from chiropractic care, from babies and children, through adulthood and into later years and including pregnant women. Chiropractors treat problems with joints, bones and muscles, and the effects they have on the nervous system. Working on all the joints of the body, concentrating particularly on the spine, Chiropractors use their hands to make often gentle, specific adjustments (the chiropractic word for manipulation) that aim to improve the efficiency of the nervous system and release the body's natural healing ability.
Specifically, Chiropractic may help:
- Acute, sub-acute and chronic low back pain
- Migraine
- Cervicogenic headache
- Cervicogenic dizziness
- Extremity joint conditions
- Acute/sub-acute neck pain
- Chronic neck pain
- Acute whiplash-associated disorders
- Shoulder girdle pain/dysfunction
- Adhesive Capsulitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis symptoms
- Patellofemoral Pain syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Chiropractors support the treatment they offer with individual advice about the patient's lifestyle, work and exercise, in order to help in managing the condition and preventing a recurrence of the problem.
The number and frequency of sessions varies considerable according to factors such as age, seriousness and duration of the problem, general health etc. This will be discussed during the first consultation.
The spine is a series of bones called vertebrae that fit together to allow movement, provide support for the body and
protect the spinal cord. Think of your spine; it allows you to bend, twist, look either side and arch backwards. An animal's
spine functions in a similar way. The vertebrae join together to form a bony canal called the spinal column.
The spinal cord runs through the spinal column with nerves that emerge at intervals along its length. These nerves divide
into various branches and go to the joints, muscles, internal organs and skin. Nerve impulses travel from the brain and spinal cord, out of the spinal nerves to all parts of the body. Similarly, sensory information (sound, sight, touch, body position etc) travels back to the brain via the sensory nerves. Every single part of your body relies on the nervous system to tell it what to do…what would happen if the nervous system didn't work 100%?
Sometimes a joint between two vertebrae may become fixed, restricting the normal range of motion and decreasing flexibility.
Both humans and animals can suffer from joint restrictions which may cause nerve irritation and subsequent dysfunction. Muscles
may become sore and spasm, or reduce in size through disuse. Pain is often the first sign, but the restrictions may develop some time before they are the cause of obvious symptoms.
Chiropractic adjustments can restore movement and allow the nervous system to function properly again.
In common with medical practitioners, osteopaths and dentists, all chiropractors are registered by law under the Chiropractors Act 1994. The title ‘Chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation and registration is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council. This ensures that all chiropractors have reached a high standard of competence. All Chiropractors also carry indemnity insurance.
The GCC has set the standards of education in chiropractic and all chiropractors must have graduated from an accredited institution before being accepted onto the Register. In 2004, continuing professional development (CPD) became a requirement for chiropractors to re-register with the statutory body, the GCC. Chiropractors are required to undertake a minimum of 30 hours of self directed learning per annum.
