Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment (World Federation of Chiropractic, 1999).
By restoring normal function to the musculoskeletal system chiropractors can play a major part in relieving disorders and any accompanying pain or discomfort arising from accidents, stress, lack of exercise, poor posture, illness and the every day wear and tear that happens to all of us.
Benefits
Chiropractic has been established for over 100 years, and nowadays, throughout the western world, chiropractors are consulted almost as often as conventional doctors and dentists. This means that you are about to benefit from a tried and tested, highly effective form of treatment.
You can be confident in the knowledge that, in recent clinical trials by the Medical Research Council, chiropractic has been found to be more effective than hospital outpatient treatment for low back pain.
Chiropractic is a holistic form of treatment, which means that your state of health, and your lifestyle, will be taken into account - not just the area that is causing you pain. Advice, and perhaps exercises, will be given to help prevent your problem recurring. Your chiropractor will look at the cause of your problem, not just the symptoms, and so reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.
It takes six years to become a fully qualified member of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), so you can be fully confident in your practitioner’s skill, expertise and dedication. You will be treated efficiently, or referred appropriately.
In chiropractic, there is no such thing as a standard treatment. You will benefit from individual, personal treatment, tailored specifically to your needs. One of the primary aims of chiropractic is prevention. Early treatment, particularly after injury, and for young children, can prevent future pain.
Treatment
At your first consultation, which will take between 45 and 60 minutes, your chiropractor will ask you questions about your case history, personal circumstances, health and lifestyle to establish the precise treatment appropriate for you. You will be asked to undress to your underwear and offered a robe to wear during a thorough examination, and sometimes X-rays. If your chiropractor diagnoses a problem that will not benefit from chiropractic treatment, you will be referred elsewhere without delay.
While explaining exactly what is wrong and how it is to be treated, your chiropractor will make the necessary adjustments to your spine and joints. This process may make a popping sound, due to gas bubbles released when a stiff joint is freed up, but it is rarely painful and often brings considerable relief.
If the original problem was caused by poor posture, your working environment or some other circumstance which is harder to change permanently, it may be necessary to continue maintenance visits at regular intervals once the problem has been treated. The follow up visits will last approx 15 minutes and your chiropractor may also suggest exercises and possible changes in your lifestyle that can help you to keep fit, healthy and pain-free.
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© February, 2008
- Back2Health Group