Chiropractic Treatments

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic care encompasses a range of manual therapy techniques aimed at reducing pain and restoring function in mainly musculoskeletal conditions such as neck, back and joint pain but also extends to things such as headaches, balance problems, Epley manoeuvre and more.

Chiropractors are highly trained regulated healthcare professionals who complete a minimum 4 year degree programme to enable them to register with the General Chiropractic Council to allow them to offer their services to the public. They then complete ongoing continuing professional development to ensure they refresh their knowledge and stay current with the latest guidelines and techniques.

You can be assured when visiting us you will receive a highly skilled and professional service aimed at restoring and maintaining your health as soon as possible.

From your initial consultation which includes a history of the condition, past medical history, information on your lifestyle and a physical examination the chiropractor will be able to give the most likely diagnosis for your problem. They will then advise on, and with you develop a treatment plan, give lifestyle advice and exercises to prevent your condition recuring, therefore addressing the cause and not just the symptoms.

The treatment plan may consist of selection of the methods below:-

MANIPULATION and MOBILISATION

This takes various forms. We can use diversified technique, which is the traditional chiropractic manipulation technique, but also use chiropractic methods such as an activator, sacrooccipital technique and flexion distraction. All are safe and effective ways to adjust the spinal or peripheral joints to put a reflex into the joint to encourage the joint to return to its normal function.

THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND

This uses ultrasound to cause changes in the soft tissue to increase the blood supply, to encourage injured tissue to heal more quickly and make the tissue more mobile. This works well on chronic injuries but is also great sprains and strains.

DRY NEEDLING

This uses acupuncture needles which are placed into the tissue, left for a minute or so and removed. It decreases pain activity in the brain and relaxes muscles locally via a spinal reflex. This is very useful for muscle spasm and trigger point release.

SOFT TISSUE WORK

This includes focussed massage and trigger point therapy, where pressure is applied to hard nodules within the muscles to encourage the fibres to release and return to their normal length.

Muscle stretching takes various forms depending on the problem. Slow stretching or resistance stretching can be applied and may be given as homecare

EXERCISE INSTRUCTION

This will include stretches to encourage joint mobility and lengthen tight muscles. Muscle strengthening exercises help to support and stabilise joints, decreasing pain.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Lifestyle advice will consider things like your workstation or driving position for example which may contribute to your presenting complaint, and sport, exercise, daily activities, levels of stress etc. all of which have an impact on your health.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

This is the latest soft tissue therapy helping to restore function of the fascia. The fascia is now known to have more receptors than the skin. Sue is a qualified myofascial release practitioner and integrates this as part of the chiropractic treatment but also offers this as a stand alone treatment.