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The City Chiropractic Clinic
aim to maintain the highest standards of patient care. Treatment
is carried out by professionally qualified chiropractors who
will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Chiropractic
helps your
body
help itself
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is an independent
branch of medicine which specialises in the diagnosis of mechanical
disorders of the joints, particularly those of the spine and
the effects on the nervous system. X-rays are often used in diagnosis
and a chiropractor carries out treatment by careful specific
adjustments. Drugs and surgery are not used.
The word "Chiropractic"
is taken from two Greek words, and means "manual practice"
or treatment by manipulation.
What do Chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors are mainly involved
in the treatment of musculo-skeletal complaints. These problems
include the most common types of aches and pains such as backache,
neck pain and headache. About half of all patients who consult
a chiropractor, do so because of back pain.
What other common problems can chiropractors help?
As well as treating back and
neck pains, chiropractors heal pain originating from the spine
but felt in other parts of the body. This includes pain in the
legs, such as sciatica, and shoulder and arm pains. Many headaches
are caused by muscle contraction in the neck brought about by
a neck
disorder. Muscle tension in the neck is increased and pain is
referred from the neck area to the head giving a typical tension
headache. In many cases even the headache associated with migraine
can be traced to a disturbance affecting part of the nervous
system. This part of the nervous system functions automatically
and is called the autonomic nervous system and various problems
that do not appear to be related to the spine can develop, such
as dizziness or, in children and young adults, asthma. Sometimes
chiropractic treatment can also relieve a whole range of other
complaints including catarrh and sinus problems, digestive disorders,
constipation and
menstrual problems.
What complaints are most frequently
helped by chiropractors?
Low back pain (lumbago), disc lesions, sciatica and other leg
pains, hip and knee problems, headaches, neck pain, shoulder
and arm pains, pins and needles and numbness sensations. Muscular
aches and joint pains, for instance in elbows, feet and ankles,
can also be treated.
How do I know if a chiropractor
is properly qualified?
Since 1925 the British Chiropractors
Association has maintained a register of members, all of whom
have graduated from recognised chiropractic colleges. These members
must subscribe to the code of ethics and rules and bylaws laid
down by the Association to regulate relationships between a chiropractor
and his/her patients
.
 In
1984 the association became a company limited by guarantee and
its name was changed to The British Chiropractic Association.
I recommend that you consult
members of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) or Scottish
Chiropractic Association for treatment.
In 1994 The Chiropractic Act
was passed in parliament and duly received Royal Assent. A Register
of chiropractors is being compiled; further information is available
from the British
Chiropractic Association, Blagrave House, 17 Blagrave Street,
Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QB Tel. 0118 950 5950, Fax: 0118 958
8946.
Or by visiting their website
at http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk
What will happen when I visit a chiropractor?
During the first consultation
a full case history is taken. As well as asking details about
your principal disorder your chiropractor will probably want
to know something of your past medical history.
He/she will examine carefully
the area which is giving you trouble and any other areas which
are relevant. The examination will vary according to your particular
problem, and X-rays may be arranged if visual confirmation of
your condition is required. The Chiropractor will decide if there
is a good chance that chiropractic therapy will be of benefit
to you; in this case, treatment will
commence on your first visit. If he/she is not able to help you,
he will say so and advise you where to seek help.
How long will it take to get
better?
The number of treatments varies
considerably. The results of a survey show that the average patient
suffering from back pain attends a chiropractor for six to ten
treatments. Generally speaking, more treatment will be needed
for chronic long-standing cases, less for cases of short duration.
What sort of response will I
have to treatment?
The response also varies from
patient to patient. Some feel immediate improvement, others have
to be treated four or more times before they start to feel better.
Improvement at first is often temporary, but becomes longer lasting
with subsequent treatments. Sometimes it may be felt immediately
after treatment, more frequently not until the next day, and
often not for several
days. It is not unusual to have a reaction, especially following
the first treatment, usually later that day or the next day.
This may be soreness, stiffness or aching and sometime even increased
pain.
Some relaxation or tiredness due to the sudden release of muscular
tension. Patients seldom get better at a constant rate, so it
is not unusual for a patient who has been getting better to suffer
a temporary relapse before improvement continues again.
Some patients who improve slowly to begin with suddenly reach
a stage where they improve rapidly, others who improve quickly
to begin with may take longer to recover fully. following a course
of treatments some patients require an occasional check-up to
make sure they maintain their improvement. If the trouble should
recur it can often be cleared up in a relatively few treatments
if not left too long before the chiropractor is consulted again.
Some patients who do not benefit
are those who expect immediate improvement and, failing to respond
at once, discontinue treatment. The chances of improvement are
always improved by
following your Chiropractor's advice.
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