
Care Response - After you've made your first appointment with us, you'll receive short emails* asking you questions about your problem and rating your pain. This gives us some very useful background information about your complaint and allows us to plan the right course of action for you. You'll receive further emails after 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months which allow us to monitor your progress, map your improvement and modify your care. You'll also receive a short satisfaction questionnaire as we care about your experience and are always looking for ways in which to improve your care.
(*Don't have email? - don't worry! We've got paper forms in the clinic).
Your first visit - On arrival, you'll be asked to complete a short New Patient form with your name and contact information, the details of your GP and any medications that you might be taking. We'll then spend time to get down the details about your main problem and your general medical health and history - just to make sure that there is nothing else going on - before carrying out a physical examination.
Following this, we'll be able to discuss the probable diagnosis and can decide on an appropriate treatment plan that is right for your particular problem. We usually treat at this first visit as we realise that patients want to start easing their pain and get going on the road to recovery.
Case History - You will be asked a lot of questions about your main problem, how it affects you and what it prevents you from doing. We'll also go through the details about your general medical health and history, your lifestyle, exercise habits, occupational strains and stresses etc. Some of the questions we ask may seem irrelevant, but they are very important as they allow us to establish an overall picture of your health, and you as a person, and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition.
Physical Examination - After taking the history, we'll have a look at what's going on. The physical examination will include a postural assessment and a range of orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic tests. We will focus on your joints, muscles and nerves, how they move and function, but sometimes a thorough check-up of your heart, lungs and abdomen is performed to rule out any other causes of your problem. A gown is available for you to wear for the examination, and at each treatment visit.
Report of Findings – Before starting treatment we will explain what we have found, what is wrong with you and what we plan to do about it. You will be advised of any exercises, dietary or lifestyle changes that might help your recovery – if you follow these you’ll benefit! We’ll explain how long it is likely to take for you to recover, how many treatments you are likely to need, and the cost of this care.
We like to treat at this first visit if possible, as we recognise that patients want to start their road to recovery as quickly as possible. However, sometimes it is necessary to delay things for a few days whilst we obtain further information from your GP (e.g. blood test results, X-ray reports) or refer you for MRI scans or X-rays if needed.
(*Don't have email? - don't worry! We've got paper forms in the clinic).
Your first visit - On arrival, you'll be asked to complete a short New Patient form with your name and contact information, the details of your GP and any medications that you might be taking. We'll then spend time to get down the details about your main problem and your general medical health and history - just to make sure that there is nothing else going on - before carrying out a physical examination.
Following this, we'll be able to discuss the probable diagnosis and can decide on an appropriate treatment plan that is right for your particular problem. We usually treat at this first visit as we realise that patients want to start easing their pain and get going on the road to recovery.
Case History - You will be asked a lot of questions about your main problem, how it affects you and what it prevents you from doing. We'll also go through the details about your general medical health and history, your lifestyle, exercise habits, occupational strains and stresses etc. Some of the questions we ask may seem irrelevant, but they are very important as they allow us to establish an overall picture of your health, and you as a person, and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition.
Physical Examination - After taking the history, we'll have a look at what's going on. The physical examination will include a postural assessment and a range of orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic tests. We will focus on your joints, muscles and nerves, how they move and function, but sometimes a thorough check-up of your heart, lungs and abdomen is performed to rule out any other causes of your problem. A gown is available for you to wear for the examination, and at each treatment visit.
Report of Findings – Before starting treatment we will explain what we have found, what is wrong with you and what we plan to do about it. You will be advised of any exercises, dietary or lifestyle changes that might help your recovery – if you follow these you’ll benefit! We’ll explain how long it is likely to take for you to recover, how many treatments you are likely to need, and the cost of this care.
We like to treat at this first visit if possible, as we recognise that patients want to start their road to recovery as quickly as possible. However, sometimes it is necessary to delay things for a few days whilst we obtain further information from your GP (e.g. blood test results, X-ray reports) or refer you for MRI scans or X-rays if needed.
Treatment - Chiropractors use their hands to perform safe, specific adjustments to free up joints in the spine, or elsewhere in the body that are not moving properly – a bit like a door that has got stuck on its hinges! In the spine, these restricted joints can irritate the delicate nerve tissue, affecting its ability to function efficiently, and monitor and maintain the body’s health. The adjustment, a short, gentle thrust that often results in an audible “crack”; (the sound of gas bubbles popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is eased) frees the restricted joint and relieves the irritation of the surrounding nerve tissue. Soft tissue work, massage, stretching and rehabilitative advice may also be given. We are also trained in Myofascial Dry Needling, a type of medical acupuncture that is used to ease muscle spasms and soft tissue soreness.
Often the treatment will relieve your symptoms and improve your feeling of well-being straight-away. However, there is no “instant cure”, particularly with long-term problems. Some patients may experience a little soreness around the area that has been treated, and if there is already a lot of inflammation it may appear to worsen in the short term. If you have any questions about the treatment you are receiving, just ask!
Does it hurt? - The chiropractic adjustment usually doesn’t hurt, although you may have a little short-term discomfort that will soon pass. This is usually nothing more than the stiffness and soreness you might experience after a period of exercise, or after a deep tissue massage. Subsequent treatment visits are usually more pleasant as your symptoms improve and you feel more at ease.
What are the risks? – There are very few risks with chiropractic, far fewer than with other types of treatment for your condition. Apart from a little localised tenderness, serious side effects are very uncommon. Very rarely, neck manipulation has been linked with strokes, although research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment there is. If you have any worries, please ask.
Ongoing Care - Initially, the aim is to decrease pain, improve joint movement, relieve tension, restore nerve function and help you to feel better as quickly as possible. The treatment visits may be frequent. Once the acute stage of your condition has eased the aim is to maximise the level of function in your spine and joints, and ensure that the nervous system is working properly. Full healing can take up to 4-8 weeks - long after your symptoms have gone – particularly if your complaint is the result of a serious injury, or has been there for a long time. It is important to follow through with treatment and exercises to ensure the best results.
Once your symptoms have eased, you may be recommended to attend for periodic check-ups – like an MOT for your body! These visits will help to prevent a relapse of your condition as we are often unable to eliminate the stresses and strains of everyday life. By maintaining a healthy, mobile spine you will also be ensuring that the nervous system is functioning properly, allowing the body to work in equilibrium and thus maintaining your general health and well-being. These check-ups are usually 1-3 months apart.
We aim for a professional, yet personal approach. You will always be seen by the same chiropractor, so will have consistency of care. Records of your visits are treated with the strictest of confidence and will not be passed to any external medical agency without your express permission and signed consent.
Often the treatment will relieve your symptoms and improve your feeling of well-being straight-away. However, there is no “instant cure”, particularly with long-term problems. Some patients may experience a little soreness around the area that has been treated, and if there is already a lot of inflammation it may appear to worsen in the short term. If you have any questions about the treatment you are receiving, just ask!
Does it hurt? - The chiropractic adjustment usually doesn’t hurt, although you may have a little short-term discomfort that will soon pass. This is usually nothing more than the stiffness and soreness you might experience after a period of exercise, or after a deep tissue massage. Subsequent treatment visits are usually more pleasant as your symptoms improve and you feel more at ease.
What are the risks? – There are very few risks with chiropractic, far fewer than with other types of treatment for your condition. Apart from a little localised tenderness, serious side effects are very uncommon. Very rarely, neck manipulation has been linked with strokes, although research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment there is. If you have any worries, please ask.
Ongoing Care - Initially, the aim is to decrease pain, improve joint movement, relieve tension, restore nerve function and help you to feel better as quickly as possible. The treatment visits may be frequent. Once the acute stage of your condition has eased the aim is to maximise the level of function in your spine and joints, and ensure that the nervous system is working properly. Full healing can take up to 4-8 weeks - long after your symptoms have gone – particularly if your complaint is the result of a serious injury, or has been there for a long time. It is important to follow through with treatment and exercises to ensure the best results.
Once your symptoms have eased, you may be recommended to attend for periodic check-ups – like an MOT for your body! These visits will help to prevent a relapse of your condition as we are often unable to eliminate the stresses and strains of everyday life. By maintaining a healthy, mobile spine you will also be ensuring that the nervous system is functioning properly, allowing the body to work in equilibrium and thus maintaining your general health and well-being. These check-ups are usually 1-3 months apart.
We aim for a professional, yet personal approach. You will always be seen by the same chiropractor, so will have consistency of care. Records of your visits are treated with the strictest of confidence and will not be passed to any external medical agency without your express permission and signed consent.