Chiropractors are qualified professionals who specialise in assessing, diagnosing and managing conditions of the spine. They are highly trained in finding the cause of pain in the spine. In the UK chiropractors undergo a minimum of four years’ full-time training and once qualified are regulated by law and must work within strict professional and ethical boundaries.

 

Before starting treatment, your chiropractor will undertake a full medical history and complete an assessment including various important tests and a physical examination to allow an accurate diagnosis and devise an individual package of care based on recent research and their years of clinical experience.

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Further to your initial assessment it may sometimes be necessary to refer you for other tests, such as X-rays, MRI scans or blood tests. The chiropractor where necessary may contact your GP to request such tests or refer to another health professional.

Chiropractors are best known for manual treatments such as spinal manipulation. There are different modalities and a large range of treatment approaches specific to you where they use their hands and some specialised tools such as an activator or drop piece to free stiff or restricted joints.

 

Often, at the beginning of your care you will require an intense schedule which will reduce as your injury improves. This is measured and strategised specifically for you and your injury.  During this initial stage, the chiropractor will work through the various stages of your treatment plan at a suitable clinically directed pace, advising you every step of the way.

Importantly, once your injury is stabilised your chiropractor will introduce a customised rehabilitation programme including stretching exercises and lifestyle advice to address imbalance and attributing factors and help to prevent repeated episodes. We will not introduce exercises until we feel your injury or condition is stable enough to retrain the muscles. Additionally, worry and stress can cause extra tension in the spine and delay the recovery of your existing painful symptoms and care plan.

 

Lastly, we believe and advise maintenance of a condition, this plan can be anywhere from every 4 weeks to every 6 months (like the dentist) to check the function, condition and progression of your joints and muscles and you will be advised on timing relative to your findings and response to care.

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Many people who suffer long-term pain benefit from regular, supportive chiropractic, commonly termed maintenance care, to reduce the risk of recurrent episodes.

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If your chiropractor does not think you can be helped by chiropractic treatment, you may be referred back to your GP or to another health professional.