What is Chiropractic? Does it hurt?
Chiropractic is a regulated natural, drug and surgery free alternative health profession. Highly qualified practitioners deal with often painful acute and chronic injuries to the musculoskeletal system and its nerve supply.
Central to the Chiropractic treatment is one or more manual adjustments to the joints of the body, in particular to the spine, to help restore normal movement, reduce pain and inflammation and release nerve endings. Often during the manipulation a click or popping sound is heard as the joint capsule is relaxing. This stems from gases and fluids in the joint and is usually not painful at all as only minimal force is used to move a joint.
Chiropractic manipulation is very effective in the treatment of many conditions such as back and neck pain, headaches, stiffness, trapped nerves and many more. It brings speedy relief when stuck and restricted joints cause pain. Some incorrectly think that Chiropractic is about "putting a bone back into place". This is not true. A dislocated vertebra is a life threatening condition and involves fracturing the bone and damage to the spinal cord. The Chiropractic adjustment treats a much more subtle lesion - think of a stretch rather than repositioning!
What risks are associated with your treatment?
Any treatment, whether medical or alternative, bears inherent risks.
Most of the known risks associated with Chiropractic treatments are benign and temporary and indicate commonly a desired reaction of the body to a particular treatment. These symptoms could include soreness, stiffness or fatigue after a treatment and may last for a day or two. Severe or permanent damage following a skilled treatment by a fully trained Chiropractor is extremely rare.
Much has been speculated whether chiropractic manipulation to the neck could potentially cause stroke. The current consensus amongst the world experts in neurology, neuropathology, epidemiology and biomechanics is that there is no causative link between skilled, expert neck manipulation and the occurrence of stroke (links and more information upon request). In fact for neck conditions commonly seen in Chiropractic practice, Chiropractic care is proven safer than best medical care .
What education does a Chiropractor have? Are you registered and insured?
To become a Chiropractor one must study five years full time at university level to obtain a masters degree. Chiropractors are taught all the basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, orthopaedics and diagnosis plus the specialist fields manipulation, radiography and radiology. This makes us distinct from Osteopaths.
Since 2001 it is a criminal offence for anyone calling themselves Chiropractor if they are not registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) - the profession's regulatory body established by Parliament in 1994. Individual Chiropractors have to belong to a Chiropractic association that represents them. Chiropractors are fully insured.
I am fully GCC registered and am an associate member of the Scottish Chiropractic Association.
What can I expect during a first consultation?
Following a detailed history of your current problem and your general health a thorough physical examination is undertaken.
I assess patients using neurological, orthopaedic, chiropractic and, possibly, muscle test assessments. The aim is to unearth and explain underlying reasons for your problem. If indicated an x-ray series of a problematic area will be obtained the same day without delay and a professional report will be given.
The results of history and examination will be discussed with you in depth and we will develop ideas and strategies to help you and speed your recovery. This is the report of findings, which will be followed by your first treatment - usually on the same day.
What's your success rate?
Back2Strength's health care and advice is safe, scientific, natural and effective. Usually most people get better by 80% during the first 6-10 visits. During those visits care is taken to improve symptoms, strength and function, and to assess dietary and other weaknesses and help you back to strength and recover good health.
For best results in the long term you must be willing to consider aspects of your lifestyle, try to commit to a healthy way of life and keep your appointments. Giving up or unwillingness to change will surely limit your chances of success.
The quest for good health and being pain free is ongoing and a "do it yourself duty". Ultimately everybody is responsible for their own health. Remember it is YOU that is doing the healing and not your practitioner. My task is to speed up this process and support you in form of a health consultation.
Good health includes a good state of general fitness, reasonable nutrition, emotional well-being and avoiding unnecessary or toxic strains. Lots of self-help and information how to stay healthy is contained in the members area.
