Chiropractor, Physio & Sports Massage in Stevenage

When you meet your chiropractor for the first time, he/she will start with a discussion about you, your health and your reasons for asking for chiropractic help.

You will be asked for a great deal of information, not just about the pain or complaint that you may have, but also about your past health history. Some of the questions may appear irrelevant, but they are extremely important to your chiropractor. To ensure that chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition he/she will establish an overall health picture. If chiropractic appears not to be suitable for you, you will be referred to your GP or relevant specialist.

Your details are confidential. No one else will be allowed to see your notes without your permission.

Once your case history is complete, your chiropractor will examine you to confirm any early ideas about your problem. The examination will concentrate on your neuro-musculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles and joints), but it may also be necessary to check other things such as your heart, lungs and abdomen to rule out other causes; this thorough check up is normal procedure in a chiropractor's clinic. However, it is not usual for a chiropractor to examine intimate areas; you will normally be referred to your GP if your chiropractor feels you would benefit from this.

After the initial consultation and examination, your chiropractor may offer you treatment almost immediately. However, it may be delayed for a day or two if he/she needs to view X-rays taken elsewhere or offsite, perform urine tests or obtain further information from your GP (for example blood test results) and where appropriate, refer you for an MRI/CT scan.

Before treatment starts, your chiropractor will tell you, in clear, simple language, what is wrong with you; what can be done about it and what you should expect when you receive your first adjustment. You will probably be told about any exercises or changes to your lifestyle or diet that may be beneficial, so that you can help yourself. A part of getting better is up to you, so please follow any instructions and advice carefully and completely.

You will also be advised of all costs that relate to your future care. It would be appropriate, at this point, for your chiropractor to tell you of any likelihood of a recurrence of your problem, and the possible need for any ongoing supportive care. This is not an unusual situation for patients who have had serious injuries, as well as those who have long-term problems due to wear and tear of the joints.

Chiropractic treatment mainly involves safe, mostly gentle, specific adjustments, done by hand, to free the joints in your spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly. Most often, this requires a short sharp thrust to a joint that can result in an audible 'crack' and may bring relief of symptoms as well as an increased feeling of well-being. The 'crack' is simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is released.

There is, however, no instant cure, and some patients may experience temporary symptoms such as pain or soreness around the areas being treated. Spinal disc problems may appear to flare up in the early stages of treatment, and where there is already inflammation, your condition may seem worse to start with. Treatment to the neck may give a distinct light-headedness and occasionally a short-lived headache. Apart from the adjustment, your chiropractor may use a wide variety of techniques, including ice, heat, ultrasound and exercise. If you have questions about any of these, just ask.

Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt – although there may be some minor short-term discomfort, which quickly passes for most patients. You will normally find that follow-up treatments are much more pleasant, as your symptoms improve and you feel more at ease with your chiropractor.

Chiropractic has fewer risks than many other treatments for your problem. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon. Very rarely, manipulation of the neck has been linked with strokes, although research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of the treatment available. Your chiropractor will, of course, be happy to discuss all your concerns regarding treatment.