FAQ

The Chiropractic profession has statutory regulation and is controlled by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), who are responsible for ensuring that all practising Chiropractors are properly qualified, undergo continual professional development, and abide by the Code of Conduct. It is a legal requirement for all practising Chiropractors to be registered with the GCC.

Treatment carried out by a properly qualified chiropractor or osteopath, is generally painless. Occasionally if you have an acute condition with a lot of muscle spasm there may be some discomfort, however your practitioner will always use the most appropriate technique to minimise any discomfort, and give advice on how to help yourself at home.

Chiropractic treatment carried out by a properly qualified doctor of chiropractic, is generally painless. Occasionally if you have an acute condition with a lot of muscle spasm there may be some discomfort, however your chiropractor will always use the most appropriate technique to minimise any discomfort, and give advice on how to help yourself at home.

Every body that walks through our doors is unique, therefore every body will respond at different rates to our care. As experienced practitioners we can make an educated guess as to how many sessions you can expect to have before you are feeling better. As a general rule the longer you have had a problem the longer it takes to get better. There are other factors to take into consideration, such as age, mobility, fitness, and general physical and mental health.

Almost everyone will feel some level of improvement after 6 sessions, and at this stage we will perform a full review to assess your progress. If we didn’t see any improvement after this time we would be seeking a second opinion from our colleagues or externally from your GP or other relevant health professional. Some people may require a longer course of care to ensure a longer lasting resolution to their problem. The recovery time is also very dependant on your commitment to the treatment program, including following any advice regarding lifestyle changes or exercise programs deemed necessary by your chiropractor or osteopath. Once you have felt the fantastic benefits of our care, we will discuss how to keep things that way!

For your first session with a chiropractor or osteopath you will be in the clinic for up to an hour. Your initial consultation, report of findings and first treatment is all included in the New Patient Consultation fee, although you should expect this to be divided into two appointments. After that most treatments will be done in around 15 minutes. It is important to remember that all conditions are different and your chiropractor or osteopath will take the time necessary to ensure that you get maximum improvement as fast as possible

You do not need to see your GP prior to seeing a chiropractor or osteopath. Chiropractors and osteopaths are primary contact practitioners and are fully trained to diagnose whether yours is a case they can help treat or not.

If not then you will referred on to your GP or other healthcare practitioner.

Most insurance companies will cover Chiropractic and Osteopathic treatment. Generally you get a claim form from your insurance company, some require you GP’s signature, and when your treatment program is over you return the form, filled out by your chiropractor or osteopath, with an itemised receipt of costs incurred to get a refund. The best course of action if you wish to claim treatment from an insurance provider is to call the provider directly and they will advise you.

In a chiropractic or osteopathic adjustment the working surfaces of a joint are moved apart a very small distance in order to restore normal joint function. When this occurs there is a reduction of pressure within the joint resulting in a popping sound as the joint separates. This is painless and harmless, but if you find the noise alarming your practitioner can utilise different techniques that do not result in this sound.

Chiropractic/osteopathic treatment is suitable for all ages from the newborn to the very elderly. Chiropractors and Osteopaths are trained to adapt their techniques........Parents often choose to bring their children for chiropractic/osteopathic check-ups as many childhood conditions respond well to chiropractic/osteopathic care.

Chiropractors and osteopaths are trained to treat pregnant patients and can frequently help with many back and pelvic conditions during pregnancy. Many women choose to have regular chiropractic/osteopathic checkups during their pregnancy so that their spine and pelvis is supple and well balance, possibly helping to reduce problems during labour. After childbirth chiropractic and osteopathy can help restore the normal mechanics of the pelvis, and the practitioner can give advice as to effective rehabilitation exercises to counteract the loss of spinal function due to the pregnancy.

Chiropractic and osteopathic treatment is suitable after surgery, chiropractors and osteopaths are trained to understand the implications of surgery and therefore know when it is safe to treat a particular condition or not. Many people get effective relief from their post surgical pain and in fact many also choose to opt for safe chiropractic treatment to avoid unnecessary back surgery.

The Anglo European College of Chiropractic and the University of Glamorgan offer Chiropractic degree’s which involve a minimum of four years full time study, followed by one year postgraduate training with the British Chiropractic Associations Vocational Training Scheme. Upon successful completion of this a Diploma in Chiropractic is awarded and the Chiropractor is eligible for membership of the British Chiropractic Association and Scottish Chiropractic Association.

Osteopaths must attend university to study a degree in Osteopathy, usually for 4 years, and then register with the General Osteopathic Council before being allowed to practice. The course covers a wide range of topics including anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics and pharmacology plus many, many hours of clinical training. Our Osteopaths hold a Masters in Osteopathy from their universities.