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| Q. | Could I benefit from chiropractic care? |
| A. | 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. A preventative approach. |
| Q. | Will my doctor approve? |
| A. | Increasing, GPs are recognising chiropractic as an effective complementary treatment, particularly for back pain. You do not need a GPs referral to visit a chiropractor. |
| Q. | How long does treatment take? |
| A. | The first consultation takes 45-60 minutes and a treatment session about 20 minutes, but this may vary according to your condition and your needs. |
| Q. | How long will it take to get better? |
| A. | Your recovery is dependent on many factors - the problem, the length of time you have had it and your own commitment to any rehabilitative exercises and maintenance visits which your chiropractor may recommend. |
| Q. | How often do I need to come for treatment? |
| A. | On average, you may need 4-6 visits over two or three weeks, but every case is assessed individually, and it is important to keep your appointments, and make regular visits. Discuss this with your chiropractor, who will explain your treatment programme to you. |
| Q. | Can a person who had Back Surgery see a Chiropractor? |
| A. | Yes. Chiropractic may help prevent further surgery and give relief to pain or discomfort felt following a year or more after surgery. |
| Q. | Will treatment hurt? |
| A. | Manipulation, when carried out correctly by a qualified practitioner, is not painful. If you have acute muscle spasm, when even the lightest touch hurts, there may be some discomfort. Sometimes, if you have had a problem for some time, you may feel sore whilst your body starts to adjust. Your chiropractor will tell you if this is likely to happen and help you to minimise on any discomfort. |
| Q. | What is the difference between chiropractic and osteopathy? |
| A. | There are differences in technique and approach, as well as some similarities. The important factor is that the practitioner is well-qualified. Both professions now have statutory regulation. |
| Q. | Is there scientific proof that chiropractic works? |
| A. | Yes, particularly for low back pain. 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. |
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