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Could chiropractic help you?Research has proved that chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for many muscle and joint problems. Does it just keep the pain at bay, or can it cure the problem for good?
What is chiropractic?Chiropractic is a healing system that focuses on the structure of the body. The first chiropractic treatment is thought to have been given by Daniel David Palmer in 1895. He derived the name chiropractic from the Greek 'cheir', meaning hand, and 'praktikos' meaning practise or perform. Treatment focuses mainly on the spine and associated joints, but also muscles, ligaments and tendons. A chiropractor can often diagnose and treat disorders associated with the musculoskeletal system, such as: |
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Treatment is tailored to suit the age, build, pain levels and general health of the individual. However, chiropractic isn't suitable for everybody. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis can only be treated if the inflammation is in remission, and chiropractic is unsuitable for bone cancer sufferers, so always seek the advice of a doctor before making an appointment with a chiropractor.
The average cost of treatment is usually around £50 for an initial consultation, then around £20-£25 for subsequent treatments.
What happens in a session?
Initial consultations tend to last from 45-60 minutes. During this time you're likely to:
- be asked about your general health
- have a full examination of the affected area
- have your spine observed for tension, abnormalities or postural problems. The chiropractor will watch you sit, stand, walk, bend and lie down - and also palpate and search for any abnormally moving joints
- have your blood pressure and pulse taken
- have your muscle power assessed
You may also have an X-ray of the affected area. If X-rays are not needed, treatment can begin at once, otherwise it will start a day or two later. Subsequent treatments usually last for about 15 minutes.
What are the main techniques used?
Of the 150 chiropractic techniques used, the most common is the low amplitude, high velocity thrust. This involves a tiny calculated movement in the joint at high speed. Each adjustment takes only seconds to complete, and may be accompanied by a click or popping noise. This has nothing to do with bones cracking, but occurs when gases released from the joint fluid form a bubble and burst.
Other techniques include variations on the high velocity thrust, modalities (manipulation of joints) that use the body's neuro-muscular reflexes, massage and stretching techniques for muscles and ligaments.
Practitioners may also use cryotherapy (ice packs) to reduce local pain and inflammation.
How many treatments are needed?
Treatment schedules depend on whether a problem is acute (eg an injury) or chronic (eg asthma), and on your age and general health.
A young person with a sports injury may require two or three visits in one week and a check-up a week later. An older person with a disc problem may take 10-12 treatments over a period of six to eight weeks. With problems such as osteoarthritis, treatment may take longer still, although on average most problems can be cured after about eight visits.
Finding a practitioner
To ensure that your practitioner is fully qualified and insured, you can contact the General Chiropractic Council, 344-354 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8BP, Tel: 020 7713 5155, website: http://www.gcc-uk.org.
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