Yorke Clinic
Email: anne@yorkeclinic.co.uk
5th September 2010
Common questions
(Please scroll down for answers.)- 1. What is Chiropactic?
2. Which problems can be helped by chiropractic?
3. What is the difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractic?
4. Why do some Chiropractors call themselves 'Doctor'?
5. What is the difference between standard Chiropractic and McTimoney Chiropractic?
6. How can I train as a chiropractor?
7. What happens during a treatment session?
8. Will I need to get undressed?
9. How will I feel after treatment?
10. How many sessions will I need?
11. Is it safe for me to have chiropractic treatment while I'm pregnant?
12. Can I claim for chiropractic treatment through my private health insurance?
13. How can I be sure my chiropractor is suitably qualified?
14. What is Medical Acupuncture?
1. What is Chiropactic?
Chiropractic is a method of adjusting the joints of the body, with particular emphasis on the joints of the spine and pelvis. Making adjustments to the spine and other joints improves their function and can relieve pain and muscle spasm, as well as helping to maintain your general health and well-being.
Chiropractic has been proven with clinical trials to be effective in relieving low back pain, and can also relieve the pain of upper back and neck problems, as well as many other conditions (see below).
You can find out more about chiropractic and the McTimoney technique by visiting the McTimoney Chiropractic Association website: www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org
2. Which problems can be helped by chiropractic?
Some common problems helped by chiropractic are:
- Back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Sciatica
- Migraines
- Stiffness in muscles and joints
- Arthritic pain
- Sports injuries
Good health is not simply the absence of pain or disease. The more balanced your body is, the better it will cope with the stresses and strains of your daily life.
3. What is the difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractic?
Because of the expanded education and training programmes for both Osteopaths and Chiropractors, there are now very few differences between the two professions. In fact our similarities in terms of concepts and techniques now outweigh our differences and you may find more differences between individual practitioners than between the disciplines as a whole.
When choosing who to go to, it's probably just as useful to make a judgement based on your relationship with the practitioner as on the technique he or she is using. You should feel comfortable and relaxed with them in order to gain full benefit from the treatment. Try to talk to them before you book an appointment. A good practitioner will usually be prepared to give you advice and information over the phone, without obligation.
4. Why do some chiropractors call themselves 'Doctor'?
All Chiropractors are entitled to use the title Doctor if they so wish, but are obliged under the rules of the General Chiropractic Council to specify that they are not medical doctors. The use of the title 'Doctor' by a Chiropractor does not mean that he or she is any better qualified than other chiropractors.
5. What is the difference between standard Chiropractic and McTimoney Chiropractic?
The main difference that patients notice is that McTimoney Chiropractors are not aiming to cavitate (or 'pop') joints. Because McTimoney chiropractic is a low-force technique, the adjustments can feel lighter and more subtle.
Secondly, McTimoney Chiropractors don't routinely take x-rays and will generally refer patients back to their GP for x-rays when they are necessary.
6. How can I train as a chiropractor?
If you would like to train as a Chiropractor, you can contact the McTimoney College of Chiropractic for further information.
7. What happens during a treatment session?
At your first consultation session we will find out as much as possible about your current symptoms to help in analysing your specific problem. We will also take a full medical history, including a blood pressure check, to assess your general wellbeing.
Once we are happy that the treatment is right for you, we will explain more about chiropractic treatment and answer any questions you may have. When you are happy to go ahead the treatment session will begin with an assessment of such things as posture, range of joint motion, ability to detect certain types of touch, etc. The treatment session will continue with a hands-on check of your bones and joints for any misalignments. The treatment involves a whole body assessment and a series of light, re-balancing adjustments. Throughout the treatment we will explain what is happening and happily answer any questions you may have.
As well as providing treatment, we also help our patients to help themselves by giving them the necessary knowledge and understanding to prevent recurrence of their problems. (We're always happy to see you, but believe that the less we see of you, the better!)
8. Will I need to get undressed?
It is common for patients to undress to their underwear and change into a gown for a treatment session - a changing area is provided. However, some patients prefer to wear loose clothing (e.g. joggers and a t-shirt).
9. How will I feel after treatment?
There are many sensations that you could experience after treatment. The most important thing to remember is that any change is a sign that your body is beginning to adapt to the adjustments it has received. Some of these are:
- Feeling better - Relief from pain as your body becomes better aligned can make you feel straighter, taller and altogether more balanced.
Feeling worse before feeling better - While your body is adjusting to its new alignment you may experience stiffness and soreness as muscle tensions change. These effects settle down a day or two after treatment.
Tiredness - You may feel tired after treatment, and may sleep well following the relaxation of deep tensions in your body.
Headache - The release of waste products as your body heals, such as lactic acid from previously tense muscles, can occasionally cause headaches. Drink plenty of water to help flush them out.
Emotional changes - You may feel emotional for a few hours after a treament.
Menstrual cycle - Periods may become heavier or lighter, less painful or shorter.
Medication - Anyone on medication (e.g. diabetics) will need to monitor their medication before and after treatment, as the levels of medication necessary to treat their condition could change as the body begins to naturally heal itself.
10. How many sessions will I need?
Most patients need between two and six sessions to resolve their presenting problem, with the average number of visits being three or four. The number of sessions varies depending on:
- How long you have had the problem: generally, a more recent problem will resolve faster than one of 20 years duration.
- Your age: we tend to heal more slowly as we get older.
- The nature of the problem: a simple backache will often clear more quickly than a sciatic problem or a joint sprain for example.
11. Is it safe for me to have chiropractic treatment while I'm pregnant?
Absolutely! The gentle nature of McTimoney chiropractic makes it especially suitable for pregnant women. Anne has undergone additional training in the treatment of pregnant women specifically, and her treatment involves using chiropractic techniques to adjust the spine and pelvis, along with soft tissue release techniques to reduce tensions in the fascia and musculature surrounding the uterus.
During your pregnancy your body will undergo many changes, both physical and emotional, as your baby develops and your body prepares for giving birth. You will probably already be aware of many of the more obvious changes, which can result in heartburn and indigestion, morning sickness, sciatica, backache, and tiredness. The softening of ligaments which occurs naturally in pregnancy due to the presence of the hormone relaxin is perfect for giving birth, but it does mean that your joints can come under additional stress. Through regular chiropractic treatment these symptoms can be kept to a minimum, and your pelvic girdle can be maintained in its optimum position, in readiness for the delivery of your baby.
12. Can I claim for chiropractic treatment through my private health insurance?
Most health insurance companies will reimburse for chiropractic treatment and the clinic is registered with AXA PPP, HSA and Aviva. You may have an excess to pay on your policy and your insurance company may only reimburse you up to the limit of your policy, so it is advisable to check your paperwork for details of your specific policy agreement.
13. How can I be sure my chiropractor is suitably qualified?
The Chiropractic profession is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), which was set up to ensure that all chiropractors meet certain standards of training, behaviour and professional skills. Anyone practising as a chiropractor MUST be registered with the GCC. This means that members of the public can visit any chiropractor with the reassurance that he or she has met all the regulations and standards set by the GCC to ensure the safety of the public.
All chiropractors continually update their skills through a programme of Continuing Professional Development, which is overseen by the GCC.
14. What is Medical Acupuncture?
Acupuncture in this country can be subdivided into two categories - Traditional (or Chinese) Acupuncture and Medical (or Western) Acupuncture.
Acupuncture was originally part of traditional Chinese and Eastern medicine, and has been practised for thousands of years. Practitioners of Chinese Acupuncture use the theory of Qi (pronounced 'chee'), meaning energy or life force, which flows through meridians (vertical channels) throughout the body. The theory behind Chinese Acupuncture is that illness arises from an imbalance in the 'life forces' within us known as yin and yang. Practitioners insert needles at specific points in the body to redress this imbalance. Acupuncture was brought to Europe in the 17th century and has now become a common and widely accepted form of complementary medicine.
In the Western, Medical form of Acupuncture, practitioners tend not to use the theory of Qi. They are working with the physical and chemical effects that the insertion of fine needles can have on 'trigger' points in muscles. Trigger points are specific areas of muscles, often where nerves leave or enter the muscle fibres. Inserting a needle at these points stimulates the muscle fibres to relax and the nervous system to release chemicals which stimulate the body's natural healing abilities.
Medical Acupuncture is a helpful adjunct to chiropractic treatment and is an effective means of alleviating tension in the muscles and relieving pain. It is now used by many GPs, Pysiotherapists and Osteopaths.
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