• First Consultation

 
• X-Rays

 
• Report of Findings

 
• Treatments

 
• Massage

FIRST CONSULTATION

A full medical history is taken, including full details of your chief complaint. A physical examination will follow. This will involve looking at your posture, how you move, and specific joint, ligament and muscle tests (orthopaedic assessment) to provide a picture of underlying factors and enable a diagnosis of the current problem. This examination will also assess your nervous system to see how well it is functioning.

Your diagnosis will be explained to you along with a proposed program of treatments designed to give best results in the fewest number of visits. If you are happy with this suggested package of care and give your consent, treatment is normally commenced on this first consultation visit.

If any problems are found that are not within the scope of chiropractic, referral to your GP or specialist will be made.

X-RAYS - These are always helpful to enable us to assess the condition of joints and bones as well as posture and silent threats i.e. osteoporosis (bone thinning). However xray examination is not always essential. Your chiropractor will advise his/her opinion.

REPORT OF FINDINGS

Your chiropractor will provide you with a written report on your next appointment. This will include a diagram of the spine with areas of dysfunction indicated, home advice, and any exercises/stretches to be performed.

TREATMENTS

Manipulation of the joints is performed by precise, gentle movements and pressure on the specific area. You may sometimes hear a small clicking or popping noise which is completely normal with this form of treatment. It is usually quite comfortable. Chiropractors are extensively trained to perform adjustments gently and to adapt these movements for each individual’s unique body type.

Muscles, ligaments, tendons may be treated by various methods such as stretching/massage/hot/cold therapy and sometimes the use of acupuncture needles.

Exercises are usually a necessary part of your treatment plan to enable the muscles to strengthen in a balanced way. These will be prescribed and demonstrated to you. A diagrammatic explanation of these exercises will be given to you to take home as a reminder.

SUPPORTING THERAPY

MASSAGE

We also have a Remedial Massage Therapist whose services may be prescribed by your chiropractor as part of your treatment or who you may wish to visit without any referral. Research has demonstrated that massage therapy has many beneficial effects on overall health and function. It is an effective method of alleviating pain due to overused or tight muscles, and of improving muscle flexibility. Additionally, it can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and increase local blood and lymphatic circulation. Massage therapy has also been shown to help decrease stress, depression and anxiety, and it contributes to increased feelings of well-being.