Conditions

Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession specialising in the diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions related to joints, bones, muscles and nerves (the neuro-musculoskeletal system). Chiropractors treat all areas of the body, concentrating particularly on back pain and spinal problems.

Chiropractors must complete ongoing training each year to make sure the sure they provide the best treatment available. Chiropractors provide a 'package of care' tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Treatment is based around 'hands on' manual therapy including precise, specific joint manipulation or 'adjustments', soft tissue techniques e.g. massage, Medical Acupuncture, and other interventions such as Focused Shockwave Therapy. Home exercise and lifestyle advice are also important to maintain improvement and prevent reoccurrence

Chiropractic treatment is suitable for all ages. Problems can be caused by trauma, posture, lifestyle, stress and every day wear and tear. Medical research supports the use of Chiropractic treatment for a wide variety of conditions including:

• Back Pain

Back pain will affect 80% of all of us at some point in our lives and often starts for no obvious reason, which makes it all the more frustrating. Chiropractic has been shown to speed recovery from both short-term and long-term back problems. The current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommends Chiropractic treatment for back pain and suggests that GPs should refer back pain patients for Chiropractic treatment. 

• Neck Pain and Headaches

Neck pain and associated headaches are a common problem in our society. These problems are often caused by postural strain due to poor sitting/sleep posture and prolonged desk/computer use.

The result is loss of movement in the joints in your neck/upper back and tightness in the associated muscles. This in turn can lead to pain. Pain can also arise from trauma such as road traffic accidents.

Chiropractic treatment can help neck pain and headaches by reducing the tightness in the joints and muscles in your neck, thus reducing the pain and increasing movement.

• Arthritic pain

'Arthritis' is a term used to basically mean general wear and tear on joints in the body that occurs over time. There are many forms of arthritis including osteoarthritis, which is due to wear and tear on the joint surfaces which can lead on to cause inflammation and stiffening of joints. Although you cannot reverse arthritis treatment concentrates on maintaining mobility and strengthen of the joints and surrounding muscles to maximise function and reduce pain.

• Shoulder and Elbow Pain

Shoulder and elbow are some of the most common problems seen in chiropractic practice. Often caused by overuse, accidents, and sporting injuries. Pain in the shoulder and elbow and wrist can also be referred from the neck such as in the case of cervical disc injuries. Common conditions treated include shoulder tendon injuries, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. Chiropractors treat shoulder pain using a package of care that may include manual therapy, home exercise, medical Acupuncture, focused shockwave therapy and advice.

• Sports injuries (minor)

A large variety of sports injuries respond well the Chiropractic treatment including sprains and strains, overuse, and traumatic injuries. Chiropractors use a range of techniques to help to speed up healing including soft tissue therapy, manual therapy, focused shockwave therapy and home exercises.

• Hip and knee pain

Hip and knee pain are often closely connected and have a variety of causes including strains and strains, arthritis, and overuse injuries. Common injuries seen include hip and knee Osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome and ligament/tendon injuries on the surrounding hip and knee joints. It is also very common to get referred pain from the back and pelvis into the hip and knee.

• Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis and other forms of foot pain have been successfully treated using Chiropractic treatment and responds especially well to Focused Shockwave Therapy. Pain is often caused by poor biomechanics and overuse.

Your first visit will last 45 minutes to an hour within this time the Chiropractor will take a detailed medical history and case history for your complaint. You may be required to remove some of your clothes and given a gown to wear. Privacy will be provided to do this.

The chiropractor will then do a full examination including vital signs if deemed necessary. When the examination is completed, the chiropractor will talk you through the findings and tell you what treatment they would recommend.  If appropriate then treatment will start at the first session.

Most patients see an improvement in 3-4 sessions. Speed of recovery depends on several factors:

• Your condition-some will problems respond to treatment quicker than others
• The severity
• How long you have had the condition
• Your lifestyle/occupation
• How closely you follow you Chiropractors’ advice

Yes, you are welcome to bring someone with you to your Chiropractic appointment if it makes you feel more comfortable. Many patients bring a friend, family member, or caregiver for support.

If you have any specific concerns about the treatment or would like someone to be present during your assessment or treatment, just let the Chiropractor know in advance. They will ensure your privacy and comfort while accommodating your needs.

In the UK, chiropractors must complete a recognised qualification to practice, which typically involves a four to five-year undergraduate degree in chiropractic. These degrees combine both academic study and clinical training, with students learning about anatomy, physiology, pathology, and diagnostic techniques, alongside practical skills in patient care and chiropractic techniques.

The education is designed to prepare students for the practical aspects of chiropractic care, focusing on musculoskeletal health, pain management, and patient communication. After completing their degree, chiropractors must register with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) to legally practice.

In some cases, your chiropractor may ask you to remove items of clothing to better assess and treat certain parts of your body. This will always explain why this is necessary and take steps to ensure your privacy and comfort, such as wearing a gown.

In most situations, wearing loose or stretchy clothing is recommended to ensure easy movement and access to areas being treated.

In some cases, e.g. after an accident, an x-ray or MRI scans may be required before your treatment begins. This can be arranged for you by your Chiropractor.

Before treatment starts, the Chiropractor will explain:

• the examination findings and diagnosis i.e. what is wrong?
• the proposed treatment
• the benefits and possible side effects

A quick, specific comfortable stretch is applied to the involved joint. This loosens the stiffness in the joint restoring proper function and mobility. This in turn settles the pain. A joint 'crack' is sometimes heard but do not be alarmed, as this is a gas bubble being released from within the joint. 

Treatment also involves other techniques such as massage, soft tissue therapy, ultrasound, dry needling, Focused Shockwave therapy and home exercise.

Back pain is a very complex issue. Back pain often comes on for no apparent reason, performing a movement we have done thousands of times before e.g. doing up your shoe lace, bending to pick a pen off the floor or even just sneezing!

Obviously, these actions themselves do not cause the problem or pain would occur every time we performed that activity. Back pain is usually an accumulation of stresses over a long period of time rather than one specific event.

There are many factors that influence back pain. Many of these problems are down to our modern lifestyles, which involve too much sitting, not enough exercise, high levels of stress and poor diets.

Risk factors for developing back pain include poor posture, prolonged sitting, poor fitness levels, overuse - too much of one particular activity e.g. athletes and manual workers, being overweight, congenital problems e.g. scoliosis and accidents e.g. road traffic accidents.

Patients can feel discomfort if the area is inflamed but often feel an immediate benefit afterwards. Some patients experience temporary achiness after treatment but this tends to ease quickly. Ice packing the treated area after treatment minimises any soreness.

With your consent, your Chiropractor will send a report to your GP, with details of your diagnosis and treatment.

Yes, you will need to pay for treatment unless:

• you are covered by private medical insurance or health cash plan
• live in an NHS funded area

Yes, you may be able to claim chiropractic care through your health insurance including Bupa and AXA, but it depends on your specific plan. Many private health insurance providers offer coverage for Chiropractic treatments, especially if your plan includes alternative therapies.

It’s important to check with your insurance company to confirm if chiropractic care is included in your policy and whether there are any restrictions, such as limits on the number of sessions or the types of treatment covered.

No, not all patients are adjusted the same way. Chiropractic care is individualised and the approach varies depending on the patient’s specific condition, health history, age and comfort level.  Chiropractors use different techniques to address various musculoskeletal issues. The manipulation method can include manual manipulation (where the chiropractor applies controlled force to the spine), instrument-assisted manipulation, or gentle mobilisation techniques, among others. 

Chiropractors typically assess the patient’s needs during the initial consultation and adjust their treatment plan accordingly.

In the UK, they use the courtesy title "Doctor of Chiropractic" (DC). While they are not medical doctors, they undergo a minimum of 4 years training and are specialists in the treatment of joint, muscle and nerve complaints.

Yes, but the chiropractor must be informed so they can use low force techniques suited to lower bone density. 

Yes, chiropractic care can be safe and beneficial during pregnancy.

Chiropractors are trained to provide care for expectant mothers, using techniques that are gentle and tailored to accommodate the changes your body goes through during pregnancy.

Treatment may help alleviate common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica. Chiropractors may also provide advice on posture and movement to support your body during pregnancy.

Before starting treatment, it’s important to inform your chiropractor about your pregnancy, and they will take extra precautions to ensure your comfort and safety.

Yes, but Chiropractors will typically avoid the surgically modified area and focus on surrounding joints to address overcompensation.

While all three professions treat musculoskeletal pain and are highly regulated, they differ slightly in their core philosophy, origins and primary treatment methods. 

In saying that there is a big overlap between all 3 and it tends to depend on the individual therapist preferred treatment methods.

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, through the hips and down each leg. The condition is typically caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, often due to issues like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes in the spine. Symptoms can include sharp pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg, and the pain is usually more severe on one side of the body.

Other risk factors include age, obesity, certain occupations, and a history of lower back pain. While sciatica may resolve on its own, it takes time to do so, treatments such as physical therapy, pain medication, dry needling and chiropractic care can help manage symptoms.

If you’re dealing with sciatica, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your situation.

At the start of your care, the chiropractor will explain what improvements they hope to achieve and when these might occur. The chiropractor will monitor your progress at each visit. 

Some conditions may only improve after a few treatments. If not, the chiropractor will reassess you and decide whether to change their treatment approach or refer you for further investigation or treatment to a different healthcare professional. If your chiropractor decides to refer you to another healthcare professional, they will ask for your consent to communicate with that professional regarding your treatment.