IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE?

Yes.  Chiropractic treatment has been proven to be remarkably safe; much safer in fact than taking painkillers or many other treatments for your problem. It is a holistic, non-invasive approach to health with no surgery or drugs involved.

Chiropractic is the world's third largest health care profession after medicine and dentistry and, over the past 100 years, millions of people have benefitted from chiropractic care, even after surgery.

Your chiropractor will explain the possible risks of treatment and discuss any concerns you may have prior to commencing with treatment.

 

DOES IT HURT?

No, chiropractic treatment is not painful when performed by a qualified professional. If an acute muscle spasm is present over the area to be treated, you may feel some short-term discomfort and 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 adjust. Your chiropractor will be able to tell you if this is likely to happen and how to minimise any discomfort.

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR FIRST VISIT?

Your first visit to Inspire Chiropractic starts with a consultation. The chiropractor will spend time discussing your past medical history with you, including questions about accidents, illnesses and family medical history. This information, together with a thorough physical examination, will help the chiropractor to arrive at a correct diagnosis for you and your condition.

 

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 chiropractor will be able to advise you on your likely recovery time.

In most cases you will feel a definite change for the better early 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 the problem, the longer it will take to ease.

Your commitment to the recommended treatment plan, home exercises and any diet or lifestyle adjustments will also determine your treatment outcome and your long term benefits from chiropractic care.

 

WILL X-RAYS BE TAKEN?

Not all patients are routinely x-rayed. In some cases x-rays are necessary depending on past medical history. Your treatment may need to be modified according to what can be seen on the x-rays. Such circumstances may include recent trauma, history of serious illness or unusual findings on physical examination.

Chiropractors are trained and qualified to take and to analyse x-rays. If you have had x-rays or other imaging recently, your chiropractor may ask for your written consent to access that information.

 

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, how many areas and tissues are affected. Your individual treatment needs will be determined during your initial consultation but 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 chiropractic care is always up to you.

 

HOW IS MY CHIROPRACTOR TRAINED?

Chiropractors are very well trained primary contact health care professionals. On average, five years full-time university degree studies are required at an internationally recognised institution. The studies include anatomy, neurology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, diagnosis and manipulative skills to mention but a few.  All chiropractors within the U.K. are required to register with the General Chiropractic Council.

 

CAN I HEAR THE ADJUSTMENT BEING MADE?

During chiropractic treatment you may experience 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 sound may seem 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 and is caused by the interaction of fluid and gas within the joint space and is not dissimilar to the sound of clicking your knuckles.