General Questions

How often do I need to come in?

The average is 6 weekly sessions followed by some fortnightly sessions then 4 weekly. While you are in pain sessions may be more frequent. Some patients need to stay at that frequency other can be extended to 8 or 12 weekly or even 6 monthly. Ideally chiropractic should be used as a preventative, just like going to the dentist every 6 months for a check-up. Teeth are important, but then so is the rest of your body!

What can I expect?

Everyone reacts differently. The thing to remember is that if the pain goes after the first or second session this doesn’t mean you have recovered. The reverse is also true if the pain stays for the first, say four sessions, it doesn’t mean you are not recovering! Your chiropractor will explain what is happening to you after each examination. There is usually a pre and post session check to find out and also show you the difference in your movement ability. You will nearly always find that something has eased. However, if part of you starts to move that hasn’t moved for some time, you may experience discomfort and some pain at first. In some cases, the examination and subsequent session, although gentle, can feel like it is aggravating your condition and you may feel worse for a couple of days. This should quickly clear and you should start to heal. This can easily happen if an old injury has “healed in the wrong place”.

Many feel immediate relief but remember you can feel worse at first as you go through a healing crisis. The sessions do not heal you. Only you can heal you. The sessions just “get your joints and nervous system balanced” and “summon up” your own healing forces. For example keeping the inflammation at the correct level, for optimum healing; not too much, which gives painful swelling; and not too little, which means you won’t heal.

What happens at the first appointment?

This is normally one hour long. Your full medical history is taken, followed by an examination and treatment. Although it is a full body assessment, the focus will be on your presenting complaint.

Do I get a report?

Your management plan, and any changes to it, will be discussed with you and there will be a report summary of findings. If you would like a detailed written report there is an extra charge. With insurances cases, this is normally paid by your insurance.

What is a typical plan?

If you have a single injury, then your plan may be straightforward and just consist of, say, six weekly, chiropractic sessions with a regular reviews including rehabilitation exercises.

If you have scar tissue that has built up or soft tissue injury, you may benefit from electrotherapy and/or ultrasound. This is likely to ease pain and speed up healing.

If you have a skin problem, such as eczema, low level laser therapy plus the addition of supplements and possible diet changes may be added to your plan.

If you have a re-occurring injury, the focus may be on rehabilitation, and help setting up your own low-cost ‘gym’ at home. The most cost-effective components have been researched by this clinic and can be supplied through this clinic. We are talking 10s rather than 100s of pounds!

If you are an athlete with a sports injury, such as Achilles tendon problems, Graston Technique might be for you, which affects the fascia (the tissue covering every muscle and organ) to provide easy gliding of muscles and other tissues as you move.

If you have frequent headaches or migraines, you may benefit from cranial work, and in some cases, holistic dentistry.

What happens if I have six weekly sessions and feel the same?

If you have had a problem for a number of years, your body has made some serious permanent or semi-permanent changes to compensate for the damage. This will take time to start to correct, and move again. Although you may still have pain, your chiropractor should be able to show you some positive results at the examination in terms of movement of joints, such as the amount your head and neck moves.

What happens if the pain is getting me down?

Sessions can include pain control using interferential electrotherapy. You will also be provided (at a small cost) with a home unit and trained how to use it for pain relief. If you already have a TENS unit you can be shown how to use it optimally in line with the best medical evidence available.