Therapies
Chiropractic
What is
chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a profession which specialises in the diagnosis and
treatment of conditions which are due to mechanical dysfunction of the
joints and their effects on the nervous system.
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How does it work?
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
'adjustment' or 'manipulation'.
Poor, inadequate or incorrect
function in the spine can cause irritation of the nerves that control our
posture and movement. This spinal nerve stress (which may be caused by
factors such as accident, poor diet, lack of exercise, poor posture and
anxiety) can lead to the symptoms of discomfort, pain and even disease which
are a warning that your body is not functioning properly.
By manipulating joints,
chiropractors stimulate the joint movement receptors - your body's position
sensors which provide feedback to the brain on where the joint is in space.
This stimulation can affect the way your nervous system works. Depending on
where the nerve irritation has occurred in your spine, your symptoms may
include the following:
- headache or migraine
- neck pain
- back pain
- chest or abdominal pain
- shoulder, arm, wrist and
hand problems
- leg, knee, ankle and foot
problems
This is because the
irritation of the nerve in one area can sometimes lead to pain (known as
'referred' pain) in other parts of the body. Painful symptoms are a warning
sign which should not be ignored; your chiropractor is trained to diagnose
the cause, and if indicated treat using manipulation. Chiropractors do not
prescribe drugs or use surgical procedures.
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What happens during
a consultation?
Your
chiropractor will begin your first consultation by taking a full case
history. Then you will be given standard orthopaedic and neurological tests
and the movement of your spine and joints will be checked.
If
X-rays are necessary to
assist the diagnosis, some practitioners will use their own, fully certified
and maintained equipment, while others will use the facilities of the local
hospital. All BCA chiropractors are trained and qualified to take and
interpret X-rays.
If your chiropractor
identifies an underlying condition for which other treatment is appropriate,
you will be referred to your GP or another specialist without delay.
Chiropractic can, however, be very helpful in providing additional relief
even for conditions such as these.
As well as using
manipulation, your chiropractor may use ice or heat treatment, as well as
other techniques, having explained exactly how they work.
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What is chiropractic
suitable for?
Chiropractic
treatment is suitable for everyone, including newborn babies, the elderly,
pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. Once you are better, your
chiropractor will help you to maintain your own health, and keep your body
working as it should, by offering exercise and lifestyle advice for you to
follow in the future.
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Is there scientific
proof that 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 and a
redistribution of resources within the NHS to make this happen. 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. They also state that the risks of manipulation
are very low in skilled hands.
Now research is beginning to
concentrate on how chiropractic affects other areas of the musculo-skeletal
system, including a trial at the University of Odense in Denmark (1) on the
effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of neck-related headache and
a Canadian patient satisfaction study (2) which shows chiropractic as an
effective means of resolving or improving back and/or neck pain.
For abstracts of research into chiropractic treatment,
click here
References:
- Nilsson N, Christensen HW,
Hartvigsen J, The Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of
Cervicogenic Headache, J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997; 20:326-330
- Verhoef MJ, Page SA,
Waddell SC, The Chiropractic Outcome Study: Pain, Functional Ability and
Satisfaction with Care, J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997, 20(4):235-240
Copyright ©
1999 British
Chiropractic Association
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