FAQs

How does it work?

Osteopaths and Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints of your spine and extremities where signs of restriction in movement are found, improving mobility and relieving pain. Your body’s own healing processes (which we normally recognise in its ability to heal bruises, cuts and broken bones) will then be able to get on with the task of improving your health. This treatment is known as a ‘ spinal adjustment’ or ‘manipulation’. . As well as using manipulation, your practitioner may prescribe a course of massage and rehabilitation exercises as part of your treatment plan.

What is ‘subluxation’?

A subluxation (spinal joint problem) is a misalignment/imbalance of the bones (vertebrae) that house and protect the spinal cord. Any misalignment puts unnecessary pressure on the nervous system and damages the nerve supply to different parts of the body. Subluxations that are left undetected and untreated for many years can lead to symptoms of pain and diseases.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No. Registered Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Chiropractors are able to assess, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions without the need for a GP referral. How soon will I feel better? This will depend on the individual problem, how long you’ve had it, how bad it is and how many areas and tissues are affected. Whilst every patient reacts differently, your practitioner will be able to advise you on your likely recovery time. In most cases you will feel a definite change for the better early on in your treatment plan. Most patients do express feeling ‘better’ or ‘lighter’ after just one or two treatments, but in general, the longer you’ve had it, the longer it will take to get it resolved. Your commitment to the recommended treatment plan, home exercises and any diet or lifestyle adjustments will also determine how quickly you recover.

Is there scientific proof that Osteopathy and Chiropractic works?

Particularly for low back pain, yes. The Clinical Standards Advisory Group recommended in 1994 that there should be earlier access to the manipulative therapies. In September 1996 the Royal College of General Practitioners issued guidelines for GPs which recommend manipulative treatment within the first six weeks for patients with low back pain.

Does it hurt?

No, treatment is not painful, when performed by a qualified professional. If acute muscle spasm is present over the area to be treated, you may feel some short-term discomfort. If your problem has been untreated for a long time, you may experience some post-treatment soreness. This will soon pass as your body begins to heal. Your practitioner will be able to tell you if this is likely to happen and how to minimise any discomfort.

Are there any side effects?

Some people experience minor transient effects following treatment. These effects typically may include localised muscle stiffness or discomfort, mild headache or a feeling of fatigue. These feelings tend to be mild in nature and they quickly subside.

Are there any risks involved?

Generally speaking Osteopathy and Chiropractic treatment are very safe. Part of their training involves learning to recognise circumstances where manipulation would not be appropriate – for example, where there is an infection of the intervertebral disc.

Will I need x-rays?

Only if necessary. It depends on what the practitioner finds after your consultation and examination. At all times, your practitioner will weigh the risks against the benefits and advise you accordingly. Typical circumstances where an x-ray may be necessary are recent injuries, older patients whose bone structure may have altered over time, unusual examination findings or a history of serious diseases.

How often do I need to go?

The number of treatments you require depends on several factors: Your specific health problem, how long you’ve had it, how severe it is and how many areas and tissues are affected. Your individual treatment needs will be determined during your initial consultation. Many patients opt for maintenance care once they feel better. Again, the frequency of your maintenance visits will depend on several factors, but most patients come back once a month to once every few months. However long you decide to benefit from our care is always up to you.

How about painkillers?

Today’s lifestyle calls for an “instant fix” for every health problem. Too often we say we have no time to be ill or that we can’t let an ache stop us. It’s time to put your priorities right! Painkillers may help you feel less pain, but they do not address the underlying cause of the pain. If they did, they would probably be called “problemsolvers” rather than “painkillers”. In fact, excessive use of painkillers for common ailments, such as headaches, can actually make your headaches worse. Painkillers may also have serious side effects – Osteopathy and Chiropractic are a much safer way of managing your pain and overall health! Furthermore, if you continue to ignore the cause of your pain, irreversible premature degenerative changes may result. Our treatments are aimed at resolving the underlying cause of the pain and then keeping you in better health.

What is the cost?

We offer a free Initial Evaluation which is designed to determine if you are likely to benefit from the treatments we offer. If it is felt that there is a strong likelihood that we can help, you can have a full consultation which costs £40, subsequent treatments sessions cost £30. Should you require a number of treatments, there are payment options available to bring down the cost of treatment. Your treatment plan and the cost will be explained to you before you start your course of treatment and it is always up to you, how long you decide to benefit from our care.

Can I adjust myself?

An Osteopathic and Chiropractic spinal adjustment involves a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a particular joint in order to improve the movement and function of that joint. It is therefore virtually impossible to adjust yourself correctly. It is possible to hear a pop or click on movement of the spine, this type pf joint manipulation does not address the restricted area and often makes a joint that is already moving correctly unstable.

Isn’t good diet and exercise enough?

No, a good diet and regular exercise are definitely good for you, but they usually can’t correct an existing problem. A good diet is especially important when your body is trying to heal. Ensure your body is getting all the vital nutrients by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Try to drink eight glasses of water a day. This will help all your body systems to function at their full potential and will also help flush out waste products released from tissues during the healing process. Exercise is equally important. Most people do not take any regular exercise. If you are not currently exercising, maybe now is a good time to start. Start very slowly and gently, doing little but often. If you feel pain – stop! If you are in any doubt, check with a qualified health care provider.

Is it ok to see an Osteopath or Chiropractor if I’m pregnant?

A woman’s body changes dramatically during pregnancy and this can be a time of stress for the body. Additional pressure is place on all the soft tissues including the muscles, ligaments, joints and discs leading to a possible increase in tension, discomfort and pain. By correcting biomechanical imbalances, Osteopathy and Chiropractic can help assist the body to adapt to these changes by improving flexibility and movement within the spine. Our practitioners adapt their technique to accommodate the changes in the mother’s body shape and range of movement throughout the pregnancy.

Can babies and children be treated?

Yes, people of all ages can benefit from our care, although treatment techniques of the newborns obviously differ dramatically from those of adults. It is a good idea to have babies checked soon after birth. Any spinal or joint problems can then be dealt with early on before they cause further health problems. Our practitioners have also treated babies and children successfully for problems such as colic, feeding problems, sleep and feeding problems, hyperactivity, bedwetting, asthma and breathing difficulties. Talk to your practitioner to find out more.

Is Osteopathy and Chiropractic suitable after surgery?

Yes, treatment is suitable after surgery in most cases. Your practitioner will be able to advise according to your specific case. Post-surgical treatment is aimed at balancing the weight bearing of the joints and to minimise premature spinal decay. Many patients who find they suffer with pain after surgery have found help from our treatment. Furthermore many patients have avoided unnecessary surgery and are enjoying life pain-free, thanks to osteopathic and chiropractic care. Talk to your practitioner to find out more.

Can I be too old for treatment?

More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural osteopathic and chiropractic care is growing in popularity. Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance and appetite. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process. The techniques used by your practitioner will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic and osteopathic care becomes more and more obvious

Can sporting performance be improved?

Yes, our treatment programmes work by improving the mechanics of joints, muscles and ligaments as well as normalising the integrity of the nervous system. When the nerves are working without interference, the body’s functional potential is maximised. Many amateur and professional athletes have found significant improvement in their sports performance through our treatments. If you’ve had a sports injury, your practitioner can help you recover quicker, with less pain and with minimal resultant dysfunction. More importantly a trained practitioner can uncover underlying dysfunction, and by correcting it, stop your problem from recurring. Many sportsmen simply wish to maintain their good health and prevent any future problems with regular treatments.

What is the popping sound?

During your treatment you may experience a clicking or popping sound coming from the joints. In the lower back, you may not be able to hear them, but you may be able to feel them. If you are having your neck treated, the clicking may sound much louder, simply because the area being treated is closer to the ears and the sound travels along the bones. The sound itself is insignificant. It is caused by the interaction of fluid and gas within the joint space and is not dissimilar to the sound of clicking ones knuckles.

I am not in pain now, but my pain comes and goes. Should I be checked?

In order to minimise the risk of your problem returning we recommend a ‘Spinal MOT’ every one to four months depending on your original complaint and your lifestyle.