Chiropractic is a statutorily regulated healthcare profession and not just a treatment. Chiropractors use a wide range of interventions including manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, exercise rehabilitation and self management advice. Our practitioners have also undertaken courses and qualifications in other areas of health care and are, therefore, able to offer a wide variety of evidence based treatments for the benefit of patients.
Chiropractors treat the causes of pain associated with many of the problems of modern living. They use their hands to adjust the joints of the spine and other parts of the body where signs of restriction in movement are found. This adjustment improves mobility of the joints and relieves pain by restoring normal function. The body’s own healing processes are then able to get on with the task of improving health.
Chiropractors today treat many thousands of patients every week for a wide variety of ailments affecting all parts of the body. Common problems that can be helped include:
- headache arising from the neck
- mechanical neck pain
- migraine prevention
- shoulder, arm, wrist and hand problems
- lumbago
- sciatica
- general acute and chronic backache and back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
- joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis
- minor sports injuries and tensions
- muscle spasms
- generalised aches and pains
Chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for a number of reasons: relieving symptoms of pain and discomfort, reducing disability associated with muscle and joint problems and improving mobility.
Chiropractors will also support the treatment they offer with counselling and advice about the patient’s lifestyle, work, diet and exercise.
Chiropractic can be suitable for people of all ages and all walks of life, including new born babies, the elderly, pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. Before starting treatment your symptoms will be assessed to determine if you and your condition is suitable for chiropractic treatment and what techniques are most likely to help. Chiropractors are trained to recognise when chiropractic treatment will not help a medical condition and will make a referral to your General Practitioner or other suitable health care professional if it is appropriate.
Top Tips for Acute Pain
- DON’T PANIC
The severity of the pain is not usually an indicator of how serious the injury is. Most people who are in extremely acute pain have simple protective muscle spasm which can usually be relieved quite quickly. - USE ICE
Inflammation is always present in an acute condition. This causes the joints to swell and to be very painful. Use ice to minimise the inflammatory response and help to reduce the secondary effects of an injury. Place a cold gel pack (if you have one) or a packet of frozen peas, wrapped in a thin tea towel, over the painful area. Apply it for 15 minutes at a time with at least 1 hour between. Do not use, without proper medical advice, if you are diabetic or if you have poor circulation. The use of heat will increase the inflammation and can make things worse, this includes wallowing in a hot bath. - KEEP MOBILE
At least, as mobile as you can. If you can you should get up and move around at regular intervals. If you remain still for too long you will seize up and prolong the agony. - REST AS COMFORTABLY AS YOU CAN
Find the position that is most comfortable for you. There is no right or wrong – just do whatever feels best. For most people lying on your back with your knees bent up and supported is fairly comfortable. Lying on a hard surface with your legs out straight will tend to increase the loads at the base of your back. - ACCEPT HELP
Don’t be proud. Let family or friends look after you – you can always return the compliment later. - LISTEN TO YOUR BACK
Pain is a warning sign. Your body is telling you that you have already or are about to cause damage. If what you are doing hurts then STOP. Do not try to push through the pain. - USE MEDICATION WISELY
All drugs have side effects so they should be used wisely. The use of pain killers (paracetamol, cocodomol etc.) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nurofen, brufen, diclofenac etc.) only helps to mask the symptoms and not to sort out the problem. Do not take medication to take you through the pain so that you can do something, you will only make matters worse. - CONSULT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR
The earlier you are seen the better. That way any underlying mechanical problem can be sorted out, the injury can be treated and the healing processes started. An acute injury is usually the result of a chronic underlying condition that you may not have been aware of. The acute pain comes on when you overload the system that one time too many. This needs to be identified and corrected to help prevent any future recurrences.
Top 10 Tips for Preventing Back Pain
- LISTEN TO YOUR BACK
Pain is a warning sign. Your body is telling you that you have already or are about to cause damage. If what you are doing hurts then STOP. Do not try to push through the pain. - EXERCISE
Regular exercise is important to help maintain mobility and strength. It should be done without pain and it should be done regularly. Brisk walking, swimming and cycling are all excellent exercises, but you should do what is suitable for you and what you enjoy. - WARM UP
You should warm up your body before any form of physical activity, whether it is sports, gardening or DIY’ing. This prepares the body for action and helps to prevent injuries. - COOL DOWN
Cooling down and stretching after exercise or physical activity is just as important as a warm up. Never “bounce” your stretches and do it gently without pain. - LIFT CORRECTLY
You don’t have to lift something heavy in order to hurt your back. Picking up something light incorrectly is far more likely to hurt your back than picking up heavy objects correctly. Lifting things away from your body is also likely to cause damage. When you pick up anything, no matter how heavy, get it as close to your body as you can and keep your back as straight as you can and don’t twist with it. - MOVE NOW AND THEN
Whether you are at home, at work or in the car, prolonged sitting causes load on the discs and weakness of the muscles. Get up and move every now and then, even if it is only for a minute. The body is designed for movement not for slouching in front of the TV or driving for hours on end. - GET THE RIGHT FURNITURE
So called “comfortable chairs” do not do your back any good. They are usually too low, too soft and the seat is too long with a rounded back. They force you to slouch and sit awkwardly which puts stress on your back. Choose a chair that is supportive, allows you to sit up correctly with your feet flat on the floor. The right bed is also important. Beds can be too hard. The base of the bed should be firm and the mattress should be soft enough to mould to the contours of your body but be firm enough to give you support in the right places. Futons are not good for most backs and the word “Orthopaedic” when applied to beds means absolutely nothing. - SLEEP PROPERLY
Sleep in a comfortable position. On your side in the “foetal” position is usually the least stressful on your back. Sleeping on your front puts most stress on your back and neck and can lead to trouble. Using a pillow of the right height which supports the neck is also important. - USE MEDICATION WISELY
All drugs have side effects so they should be used wisely. The use of pain killers (paracetamol, cocodomol etc.) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nurofen, brufen, diclofenac etc.) only helps to mask the symptoms and not to sort out the problem. - CONSULT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR
If you have a long term problem, whether it is just “niggly” or disabling, or if you have a recurring problem, then chiropractic treatment can probably help. Chiropractors can usually give you marked relief from pain and discomfort and improved quality of life as well as decreasing the likelihood of a recurrence.