Chiropractic Treatment
What types of Chiropractic treatment do we offer?
We offer both Traditional Chiropractic treatment and McTimoney Chiropractic method the McTimoney method is know for using quick and very gentle adjustments to realign and bring your body back in to balance, relieving pain and discomfort. This light technique focuses on the whole body and not just the area of pain you may present with. As well as adjustments to alleviate the pain, the chiropractic treatment also includes advice on how to tackle the cause of pain and help improve long term health and well being’ More information can be found at www.performancechiropractic.co.uk
What is Chiropractic?
We specialise in the diagnosis and drug-free treatment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. In particular we treat any problem caused by the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons or nerves of the body. We are well-known for treating back or neck problems, but we are qualified to treat many physical conditions in patients of all ages and abilities. If we can’t help you then we will refer you to a specialist who can.
The most common thing chiropractors are known for is ‘cracking backs’, but there is a lot more to us than that. Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession which means that you can walk in off the street and we are trained to diagnose you. You don’t need to be referred.
We believe that it is far better to treat the root causes of a problem rather than mask the symptoms with painkillers.
Are you are a regulated health professional?
All chiropractors are strictly regulated by The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and it is illegal to call yourself a chiropractor without being registered with them. Every year we re-register with the GCC who check that we are fit to practice, keep up with our continuous professional development (CPD) requirements, and are fully insured to treat members of the public.
Chiropractors are educated in anatomy, physiology and neurology to a high standard and must go through rigorous training before being accepted onto the register. All must have completed a four year full-time Masters of Chiropractic course at one of the accredited institutions, including one year within a training clinic. Once qualified, chiropractors must also complete post graduate training to continually keep up-to-date with current events and techniques in the healthcare profession.
What can Chiropractic help?
There is a large variety of joint and muscle conditions that we can help with and a report commissioned by the General Chiropractic Council in 2009 showed that there was moderate and high quality evidence that manual therapy (including manipulation, mobilisation and massage) could help with:
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In June 2009, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) released their guidelines for the early treatment and management of persistent or recurrent low back pain to healthcare professionals in the UK. The evidence was reviewed by a team comprising GPs, consultants and other personnel and included recommendations such as:
- Providing patients with advice and information to promote self-management of their low back pain
- Consider offering a course of manual therapy including spinal manipulation of up to 9 sessions over and up to 12 weeks
- Consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to 10 sessions over a period of 12 weeks
- Consider offering a structured exercise programme tailored to the individual.
Chiropractors not only specialise in spinal manipulation, but also offer many other ways to treat your pain, including: massage; exercise; and myofascial dry needling (a form of acupuncture). For more information on the NHS NICE guidelines click here .
What does the treatment involve?
Chiropractors use ‘manual therapy’, which consists of many different techniques but mainly ‘manipulation’ of the joints, typically the spine. Chiropractors train for many years to become experts in spinal manipulation where gentle, skilled and very quick impulses are applied to joints that are felt to be restricted in their movement. This helps the joint to move more freely, releases surrounding tension and at the same time can have beneficial physiological effects on the surrounding areas.
Sometimes you may feel a ‘click’ or ‘crack’. This is called ‘cavitation’ and occurs when a synovial joint expands rapidly to allow dissipation of the gases within. This is similar to when someone ‘clicks’ their knuckles and it is not the bones cracking!
Treatments are always tailored to your indivual needs and for more sensitive patients we willl often use more gentle techniques which are just as effective. We don’t always ‘crack backs’ and there are many different ways to get good results. These may include: dry needling (a form of acupuncture); mobilisation (repeated movements) of joints; traction; massage; stretching and specific exercises. We often treat children or adults up to 90 years old with fantastic benefits.
As well as the actual treatment to help get you out of pain and moving better, we are also trained to give general advice and support, whether it’s work, lifestyle or exercise. Usually as part of your long term management, specific exercises are given to help with flexibility and strength so that you can manage the problem yourself at home. We may suggest periodic check-ups or maintenance to help prevent a recurrence.
What happens at my first visit?
Your first visit will consist of:
Step 1: A Full Case History | Step 2: Examination, Report and Treatment |
You will be asked to fill out some information about your current problem and your past medical history. Your chiropractor will then spend some time going through this with you to help understand your complaint. | You may be asked to change into a gown. We will then carry out a physical examination testing your nerves, muscles and joints. It may be necessary to examine other areas such as your abdomen, lungs or heart depending on your complaint.You will be told in clear, simple language about your diagnosis, its possible causes, and what can be done about it. This will include your treatment plan, the prognosis and what you should expect from your first treatment. |
If necessary, we may refer you for further tests such as x-rays or MRIs.
If we feel that we cannot help you, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist.
Please note:
By regulation, all patients under the age of 16 must have a responsible adult present.
Gift Vouchers: Available to a value of your choice. Please contact the clinic for details.
Club/Team discounts: Treatment costs may be negotiated.
Businesses: Free back health talks are available. Staff treatment costs may be negotiable.
Please note:
In accordance with standard practice you may be charged for missed appointments unless 24 hours notice is given.