What is Chiropractic?

The word chiropractic means “done by hand”

Chiropractic is a primary contact healthcare discipline that places its emphasis on the examination, diagnosis and management of problems and/or conditions that can affect the spine, muscles or extremity joints of the body.

Most people associate chiropractic care with just the treatment of back pain, neck pain and headaches. We go further than that by taking into consideration your overall health status before embarking on a treatment programme, in co-operation with you, the patient.

We commonly see patients with:

• Back or neck pain

• Migraine headaches

• Sporting & accidental injuries

• Whiplash related problems

• Work related aches and pains

• Limb pain, numbness and tingling

• Arthritic and other joint problems

Although specialising in the mechanical disorders of joints and muscles, particularly those of the spine, chiropractors have to take into consideration, for example, the patient’s home and work environments, sporting activities, hobbies and anything else that could have an effect on an individual’s physical and mental health.

If your condition is considered to be managed more appropriately by another health-care practitioner or your GP, we will gladly and promptly make the necessary referral.

Chiropractic is a profession that is best known for manipulation of joints.  However, it is just one of many skills chiropractors utilise in the care of patients.  

What is Chiropractic adjustment or joint manipulation?

A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction, to a discrete joint, by hand, in order to restore its normal motion, reduce muscle spasm and alleviate associated pain. At times mobilisation may be more appropriate than manipulation.

Are there any risks?

The therapies employed by chiropractors have far fewer risks than other possible treatment options. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon. Very rarely, manipulation of the neck has been linked with strokes, although research has not definitively proven this and has shown that chiropractic can be one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment available for certain conditions. At the clinic any of the interns or tutors will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have.

Will treatment hurt?

Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt – although there may be some minor discomfort which quickly passes. You will normally find that follow-up treatments are much more pleasant, as your symptoms improve and you feel more at ease with your chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care and Your Child

Our clinic and chiropractic in general have experienced an increasing number of referrals from midwives, health visitors and parents seeking care for their new born children. We see a multifaceted role for chiropractors in healthcare that primarily affects the musculoskeletal system. We also provide a careful health assessment of babies and offer gentle treatment. This does not take the place of regular health checks for babies and we endorse and recommend the NHS vaccination programme. We recognise that more research needs to be done to support effective care for babies so this is an ongoing research project at the college.

Chiropractors have a strong history in providing care for older children. This primarily involves back pain and headache, where there has been some suggestion in the scientific literature that it is under-reported, and injuries arising out of sports and recreational activities. Our approach with all patients, no matter how young or old, involves taking a complete health history, performing a careful and full physical examination to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis and treatment method that is best for the condition and consistent with the patient's age.