- Which problems can be helped by chiropractic?
- What are the benefits of massage therapy?
- What do I need to know before treatment starts?
- How will I feel after treatment?
- How many sessions will I need?
- Can I claim for chiropractic treatment through my private health insurance?
- Can I pay by debit or credit card?
- How can I be sure my chiropractor is suitably qualified?
- Further questions
Which problems can be helped by chiropractic?
Common problems which may be helped by chiropractic are:
- General acute and chronic back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
- Headaches arising from the neck
- Sciatica and leg pain
- Neck problems
- Upper back problems
- Shoulder complaints
- Joint pains
Many other problems may also be helped by chiropractic treatment. Please telephone me if you would like to discuss your situation. If you would like a consultation before deciding whether Chiropractic is for you, then please make an appointment to discuss any concerns you may have.
However, you don’t have to wait until your body is telling you that you have a problem. Pain is often the last sign that your body is not functioning correctly. You can use chiropractic treatment as a preventative measure. Good health involves a sense of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and is not simply to be without pain or disease. The more balanced your body is, the better it will cope with the stresses and strains of your daily life.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
- You should feel more relaxed or energised, depending on your requirements - the movements can be adapted to produce either outcome.
- You should feel a reduction in muscle tension, either locally, or generally.
- You should experience an improvement in circulation.
- Many clients report sleeping better after a massage.
- Massage can help with local fluid build-up (lymphatic drainage).
- Muscular trigger points (commonly called "knots") can be released.
What do I need to know before treatment starts?
As stated, treatment is a partnership between your practitioner and yourself. Before your treatment starts, your practitioner will explain:
- What they have found in their examination
- What the proposed treatment plan will be
- Any associated risks
You will then be asked to sign to illustrate your informed consent to commence treatment.
How will I feel after treatment?
There are many sensations that you could experience after treatment. The important thing to remember is that any change is a sign that your body is beginning to adapt to the adjustments it has received. Some of these signs:
- Feeling better - relief from pain as your body starts to heal will make you feel straighter, taller and altogether more balanced.
- Feeling worse before feeling better - while your body is adjusting to the new alignment you may experience stiffness and soreness as muscles change. These effects settle down a day or two after treatment.
- Tiredness - you may feel tired after treatment and may sleep more deeply after deep tensions in your body have begun to relax.
- Headache - the release of waste products as your body heals, such as acid from previously tense muscles, can occasionally cause headaches – drink plenty of water to help flush the toxins out of your system.
- Emotional changes - you may feel emotional for a few hours after your treatment.
- Menstrual cycle - changes may be noted in your period
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on:
- How long you have had the problem: generally a more recent problem will resolve faster than one of 20 years duration.
- Your age : we tend to heal more slowly as we get older
- The nature of the problem : a simple backache will often clear quicker than a sciatic problem or joint sprain for example.
- Your response to treatment
- How much of the practitioner's advice you follow
Once the problem has been resolved, we recommend regular treatment every three to six months (depending on your lifestyle) to help keep your joints functioning well and to help to prevent future problems.
Can I claim for chiropractic treatment through my private health insurance?
Most health insurance companies will reimburse for chiropractic treatment but it is advisable to check with your health insurer for more information however as insurance companies have differing policies with regard to chiropractic treatment.
Can I pay by debit or credit card?
Yes. We accept all major debit and credit cards as well as cash. We are no longer able to accept cheques.
How can I be sure my chiropractor is suitably qualified?
Chiropractic is one of the fastest growing independent health care professions in the UK and is now regulated by a Government appointment regulatory body – the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). Anyone calling themselves a chiropractor MUST be registered with the General Chiropractic Council and this is renewed annually. This means that members of the public can visit any chiropractor with the reassurance that he or she has met all the required standards set by the General Chiropractic Council to ensure the safety of the public.
All chiropractors are continually updating their skills through a mandatory programme of Continuous Professional Development.
Further questions:
If you would like an answer to a question not covered here, please contact me.