What is Chiropractic
Actually the Chiropractor does not cure anything! Only YOUR body can do that. The Chiropractic approach to any mechanical problem in your system is "to help restore" the optimal way your spine can work, thus reducing the nerve irritation and thereby helping your own healing ability.
Does treatment hurt?
Treatment is usually painless unless an area is inflamed, in which case the treatment will be modified. Most treatments are very gentle.
How does treatment work?
Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and on general health.
By restoring normal function to the musculoskeletal system, a Chiropractor can help to relieve pain or discomfort arising from accidents, stress, illness, poor posture, lack of exercise and the wear and tear that happens to all of us. I may also give you other advice about your activities, exercise and lifestyle which will help you prevent recurrence of your problem and also help you achieve a better quality of life.
What happens at the first Appointment?
A Chiropractor's first concern is to find out what is wrong and if Chiropractic treatment is appropriate for you.
Your first visit will last up to 30 minutes where I will take a full case history and give you a thorough physical examination. Your privacy and dignity are respected at all times.
Your follow-up visit is then arranged as quickly as circumstances allow. Your actual treatment will begin on your second appointment.
Common Ailments
BACK PAIN
On the outside of each spinal bone you have the facet joints. These joints are very nerve-rich and can be the cause of low back pain.
The discs between the spinal bones act as spacers/connectors/shock absorbers for the spine. Too much pressure on the disc can cause herniation or bulging, leading to pressure on the delicate nerves.
Specific Chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function thus reducing the pain.
HEADACHES
There are many different types and causes of headaches. Regardless of reason you want it gone now!
Most common cause of headaches is physical trauma e.g. whiplash, emotional stress, improper posture and repetitive work practice – the list is endless.
Chiropractic will locate the area of the spine that is not working properly. The posture is checked and the ability to turn the head is examined. All this information will help give you a tailor made treatment plan just for your type of headache.
WHIPLASH
The injury is often sustained while sitting stationary waiting for traffic to flow again. It is described as the quick "whip forwards and back wards by your head" after a sudden collision.
Do not be misled by minimal damage to your car. The human body reacts very differently to glass, metal and plastic in a collision.
Occasionally you can get pain in the hands and arms after a whiplash. This is because the nerve in the arm and hands exits through the area of the neck involved in a whiplash.
You may even experience headaches and pain days/weeks or even months/years after the event
SCIATICA
Often starts as an acute pain in the lower back and extends down the back of one or both legs. The pain often increases with long periods of standing or sitting due to the increase in pressure on the nerve root involved.
It is often a result of accumulative damage e.g. years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight or numerous other causes. Then finally a single episode of e.g. bending to tie a shoelace can trigger the episode.
Chiropractic can locate the exact cause of the sciatic pain and gently work on improving the joint movement with manipulation. This improvement of movement in the joint leads to a reduction in the swelling and inflammation of the area thus reducing the sciatic pain.
