FAQ
Do you have questions about Chiropractic in general or about the practice? Well here is a selection of the most frequently asked ones. Cannot see your question here? No problem, I'm happy to answer any questions you have when we meet.
Frequently asked questions
How many visits will I need?
This varies from person to person and depends on a number of factors such as type and chronicity of problem, general health and fitness level, responsiveness to treatment and adherence to any recomended self care advice. NICE* guidelines recommend 9 sessions over a 12 week period in a case of simple uncomplicated lower back pain.
Will it hurt?
Chiropractic adjustments are generally painless and any discomfort is momentary as it is such a quick procedure.
Are chiropractors regulated?
The General Chiropractic council (GCC), is the regulatory body of Chiropractic and in order to use the title you have an MChiro or Msc degree in Chiropractic.
How long is your training?
In the UK the minimum number of study years is 4 and graduates either obtain an MChiro or Msc Chiropractic degree. Learning is life long as you can imagine and Chiropractors like other health professions have to complete number of hours training each year in order to stay of the register.
What is Chiropractic?
The World Health Organisation (WHO), defines Chiropractic as " A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Do you just treat the spine?
It is a common misconception that Chiropractic is only concerned with the spine. We deal with the entire musculoskeletal system, arms, legs and pelvis included. Basically if there is a joint we deal with it.
I'm in pain now, what can I do?
Stay Calm. In the majority of cases even severe back pain is due to simple mechanical fault causing protective muscle spasm. Only rarely does a quick onset severe pain indicate severe injury or disease. Chiropractors are trained to assess and diagnose the cause of your pain and will be able to advise you on your treatment options.
Should I use ice or heat to ease my pain?
This actually depends on the type of injury, tissues involved and how long you have had the problem. For a recent injury involving the joints of the spine such as that which causes back or neck pain (especially if the pain radiates down the leg or arm) there is likely to be an inflamatory process occuring within the joint involved and this will create heat. In such cases ice is the best option because applied at the correct site it will numb the area reducing the pain you feel and if done repeatedly it will reduce the inflamation as efficiently as medication and without any of the unwanted side effects. Chiropractors are trained to assess and diagnose the exact site of injury and therefore able to tell you exactly where and when to apply ice, how often and for how long.