Chiropractic
What is 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 poster, illness and the everyday wear and tear that happens to all of us”. (GCC) Chiropractic can also be used to prevent musculoskeletal dysfunction which may lead to many disorders and pain.
What can Chiropractic treat?
- Low back pain, including sciatica and disc problems
- Mid back, rib and chest pain
- Neck and Arm pain
- Whiplash injuries
- Headaches, including migraine
- Upper extremity pain, e.g. tennis elbow, shoulder problems,
- Lower extremity pain, e.g. hip pain, knee problems and foot pain
- Sports injuries
The treatment includes joint manipulation, soft tissue massage and home exercises/rehabilitation. You may hear a popping noise during manipulation, don’t worry this is normal and does not hurt. If an area is painful and inflamed or you do not wish to have manipulation the treatment is modified.
What happens on the first visit?
The first visit lasts approximately an hour and you will need to arrive 5 minutes before your appointment time to fill out a registration form given to you by the receptionist. I will then take you through to a private treatment room where I will take a history of your current condition, full medical history and then ask you to change into a gown, you may wish to bring shorts. A full physical examination is then completed and I will then discuss your condition, including diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis. At this stage it may also be appropriate to discuss lifestyle, occupational ergonomics and how you can generally help yourself.
If at this stage an x-ray is needed you will be referred to a local x-ray facility, this is needed in a small number of cases to confirm, stage and give prognosis of the diagnosis.
Most first visits are straight forward and include your first treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends upon the condition, how long you have had the condition as well as your own overall health and wellbeing and response to treatment. For simple mechanical acute pain fewer treatments are often needed than long term or complex conditions.
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