WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

What Chiropractic is not...

• Chiropractic is not a replacement for painkilling drugs (or a quick fix relief). It is a natural way to stimulate your body to heal itself: This may take time and relies on you participating in your care to achieve optimum results.
• Chiropractic is not dangerous. Your chiropractor has trained at an accredited University and in clinic for several years to use the safest and gentlest techniques available: Techniques are chosen to avoid discomfort during and after care whenever possible.
• Chiropractic is not unconventional. It is scientific and now a mainstream part of healthcare around the world. Thousands of people use chiropractors every day as a part of a good health regime.
• Chiropractic is not just for when you're in pain: Care can help to improve your overall body posture, function and performance (see Chiropractic and Sports).
• Chiropractic is not really “Alternative” or even “Complementary”. It stands alone as the third largest health profession in the world.

How can it help you?

Chiropractic aims to help you achieve optimal health through a natural, gentle, safe approach, without the need for surgery or drugs.

Chiropractic care aligns and balances the spine, allowing the body to heal effectively and fully. Alignment is made through gentle, specific adjustments made by a qualified chiropractic doctor. Manipulation of the spine, as performed by a chiropractor, has been found to be more effective than any similar techniques performed by other (non chiropractic) therapists.

Most adjustments are to the spine because in this way we can realign the spine, relieving mechanical spinal pain, through allowing the nerves to function correctly. However, the effect of releasing irritation and balancing the spine also allows the body to function more efficiently. In this way, problems not directly associated with the spine can be helped through the chiropractic approach.

These problems include:

• Migraine Headaches
• Joint pains
• Sciatica
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis/golfer’s elbow
• So-called “frozen shoulder”
• Impingement syndromes
• Trapped nerves
• Postural and balance problems

Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to recognise when chiropractic is not the best approach for your problems, just as much as to recognise when they can help you.

For more detail, and evidence-based research, please visit our "Chiropractic Research and Links" page.

Healthcare choices: how we help you to stay well

Several factors are considered when determining your treatment plan, including the results of your examination, when your symptoms began, your age, your daily activities (including work), and your level of stress. Every case is different, but most patients begin to respond favorably within the initial weeks of care. Once some relief and correction to the spine is obtained, many patients choose to continue with periodic visits, to maintain the results they've achieved. By emphasizing patient education, you become as self-reliant as possible. How long you decide to continue to benefit from chiropractic care is ultimately up to you.

IN PAIN, OR WANT TO STAY CLEAR OF LOW BACK PAIN? TRY OUR "FIVE PILLARS OF HEALTH":

1. Drink plenty of water (up to 3 litres a day for adults) and adopt simple, healthy food habits.
2. Get plenty of sleep - research suggests that making sure you're asleep between 10pm and 1am ensures quicker healing from injury.
3. Take regular exercise: Walking, swimming and cycling are best - but if in doubt seek advice from a properly qualified health professional.
4. Stay positive: Visualisation helps top performers get to the top; it can also improve your chances of success and health.
5. Get your posture and nervous system function checked by a qualified chiropractor.