Like a telephone network, your spinal cord delivers messages to and from the brain and the body through the nervous system.
As everyday movement goes on, a loss of proper function (movement) in the vertebrae may interfere with the healthy working
of the spine and nervous system. As well as pain, this interference can slow down healing and impair performance.
Chiropractic aims to restore normal function in the joints, muscles and nerves, and helps with control, co-ordination and strength.
The chiropractor will carry out a detailed case history, asking you lots of questions both about your current problem and your medical history. Some questions may seem unrelated to your condition, but this information can be important to assess your suitability for chiropractic care. If you have a problem that requires medical attention, your chiropractor will promptly refer you to the appropriate person.
You will then be asked to put on a gown (keeping your underwear on) and the chiropractor will carry out a physical examination. This may include an assessment of your posture and your range and ability to move. Usually, orthopaedic and neurological tests will be carried out. Individual joints will be assessed. The chiropractor may find asymmetries and areas of dysfunction in your spine or other joints. X-rays may be ordered if clinically necessary.
After the examination, a diagnosis will be made. Your chiropractor will explain the findings, your condition and an estimate of the type and extent of treatment need to help you and what you should expect to feel. You will probably receive advice about your lifestyle, work and exercise, in order to help in managing your condition and help to prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Treatment consists of a wide range of manipulative techniques appropriate to you and your condition, known by Chiropractors as “adjustments”. Adjustments are designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm. Chiropractors treat patients from newborn to the elderly as the treatment is different for every single person, and will be tailored to you and your needs.
Take a full medical history and discuss the major problem(s)
Carry out a visual inspection, including assessing posture.
Assess the range of movement, the gait, the smoothness and co-ordination of the movement
Examine the spine, looking for symmetry, quality and quantity of movement, heat, spasm, imbalance and loss of muscle tone
Explain the findings to you
Carry out appropriate treatment
Advise on aftercare; what to expect after care, further treatment, stretches and exercises etc
Contact the referring clinician, if necessary.
Treatment consists of a wide range of manipulative techniques appropriate to the specific condition,
known by Chiropractors as “adjustments”. Adjustments are designed to improve the function of the joints,
relieving pain and muscle spasm. Chiropractic treatment consists of specific adjustments done by hand to
free stiff joints and reduce spinal nerve irritation.
In addition, the chiropractor may use other techniques
to aide the success of treatment; these may include dry needling (a form of acupuncture), massage,
ultrasound, exercises etc.
Why do you get your car serviced even when it’s running well?
To keep it running well and extend it’s working life!
The same applies to the spine.
Chiropractic doesn’t chase symptoms. Chiropractors specialise in finding and correcting loss of function, which, undetected, may lead to pain and reduced strength.
You don’t have to wait until your car breaks down to get it serviced. You don’t have to wait for pain to return to get a check-up.
Chiropractic can speed up the recovery from an injury, enhance performance and help to prevent future problems.
Unlike painkillers, chiropractic gets to the root of the problem.
