Who might benefit from seeing a chiropractor?
Chiropractic treatment can benefit patients of all ages for whom treatment is appropriate.

Why might I go to a chiropractor?
The first thing that may spring to mind is that chiropractors treat backs. But chiropractors do much more than this: they are concerned with the framework of bones, joints and muscles that support the body (the musculoskeletal system) and any condition or symptoms that result from poor function of any of these elements. A common public misconception is that a patient has (for example) a muscle problem or a joint problem in isolation. This is rarely the case as the function of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons are all related. Chiropractors therefore think in terms of the whole body and its inter relations, rather than particular elements in isolation.

So, even though they do treat backs – and very successfully – today’s chiropractors also diagnose and treat many other musculoskeletal problems as well as a number of other conditions.

By helping the musculoskeletal system work properly, chiropractors can play a major part in relieving disorders, and the pain or discomfort that goes with them. These can be the result of accidents, stress, lack of exercise, poor posture, illness and the everyday wear and tear that happens to all of us.

Chiropractors take a “holistic” approach to your health and well being. This means that they consider your symptoms in the context of your full medical history, your lifestyle and your personal circumstances.

Chiropractors can provide a “package” of care that is based on the best available evidence. Guidelines (see www.nice.org.uk/CG88) for the management of NHS patients in England and Wales with persistent low back pain were published in May 2009 by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Broader European Guidelines were published in 2004 (see www.backpaineurope.org).
 

What conditions do chiropractors mainly treat?

  • Back, neck and shoulder problems

  • Joint, posture and muscle problems

  • Leg pain

  • Sports injuries

  • Headaches that arise from musculoskeletal causes, usually related to the neck which refers pain to the back of the head and behind the eyes. These account for a vast proportion of the headaches that patients suffer and the World Headache organization recognizes that a vast proportion of headaches that were previously classed as tension headaches are in fact cervicogenic (i.e. generated by the neck).

Your first visit
Normally your first visit will last approximately one hour. Should you wish to bring a friend or member of your family you are very welcome to do so. A chiropractor’s first concern is to find out what is wrong and to check for indications for which you would need to go to your GP or to hospital. Chiropractors are trained to investigate each patient’s condition before considering treatment. They will usually spend considerably more time than a GP is normally able to allocate, in order to thoroughly understand your condition. During this time the chiropractor will:

  • Take a full case history

  • Seek your permission for, and if granted, perform a thorough physical examination that will include neurological and orthopaedic tests

  • May take (Reading clinic) or send you (Southampton clinic) for X-Rays if they are needed.

  • Effect treatment if appropriate or refer onwards.

Before your treatment starts
Treatment is very much a partnership between you and your chiropractor. Before your treatment starts, your chiropractor should explain to you clearly:

  • What was found in the examination

  • The treatment plan proposed

  • The benefits and risks associated with your condition and proposed treatment

You should ask your chiropractor as many questions as you need to, in order that you are sure you understand what you have been told. Your chiropractor will then ask you to give your permission for treatment (this is called “consent”).


 The type of treatment offered
There are many varied techniques used in chiropractic and the type of treatment offered in chiropractic clinics around the UK can vary. It is the policy of 1st Chiropractic Clinics to work as far as possible in conjunction with mainstream medicine and to encourage the use of drugs (mainly non steroidal anti inflammatories, opioid and non opioid analgesics) where appropriate in conjunction with the various forms of treatment chiropractic offers. Treatments used by 1st Chiropractic Clinics in the main may include manipulations, trigger point therapies, massage, myofascial dry needling (which is nearly always painless), the use of blocks, spinal traction, ultrasound and the use of the Interferential modality.
 

How many visits will I need
This will depend on:

  • Your condition

  • How severe it is

  • How long you have had the condition

  • How quickly you respond to treatment

  • How much of your chiropractor’s advice you follow

After your first examination and diagnosis, how long any further visits last will depend on you condition and the treatment you need.

The chiropractor will probably give you advice on self help, diet and lifestyle. He will review your progress regularly and you will be asked to give your consent to any changes to your treatment plan. At any appropriate time your chiropractor will discuss carrying out any further investigations or referring you to your GP if your condition does not improve.
 

Will the treatment hurt?
Treatment is usually painless (although there can be an element of discomfort), unless the area treated is inflamed (swollen). This is only usually in the initial stages.
 

Do I need to tell my GP?
You do not need to let your GP know unless you want to. Many GPs and orthopaedic specialists recommend chiropractic care to their patients. With your permission, your chiropractor may wish to send a report to your GP, with details of your condition and the treatment you are receiving. This is because your GP holds all your medical records and it is in your interests for them to be complete and up to date.