About Chiro

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic is the third largest primary health care profession, (a primary health care professional being one who carries out both diagnosis and treatment) after medicine and dentistry.

Chiropractic has brought relief to thousands of people who would otherwise suffer back pain, trapped nerve or prolonged illness.

The main focus of chiropractic is the relationship between the function of joints, muscles and the nervous system (neuromusculoskeletal disorders) and the effects of these disorders on health. The spine is of central importance.

Chiropractic is a natural and conservative form of health care, offering an alternative to medication and surgery. Accordingly it makes no use of drugs or surgery and has no aspirations to do so. Apart from high levels of general diagnostic skills, chiropractors are also trained how to take and read X-rays, when appropriate for use in establishing a diagnosis.

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC WORK?

The principal treatment is joint manipulation or adjustment to improve joint function.  Most often, this requires a short thrust that can result in an audible 'pop' which may bring relief of symptoms; some patients report an increased feeling of well-being post adjustment.  The 'pop' is simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is released.

Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints of your spine and limbs where signs of restriction in movement are found, improving mobility and relieving pain.  Your body's own healing processes (which we normally recognise in its ability to heal bruising, cuts and broken bones) will then be able to get on with the task of improving yor health. 

Management also includes rehablitative exercises, patient education and lifestyle modification.  There is also an emphasis on health promotion and early return to activities for injured patients.  The focus on education and patient empowerment is an important factor in the success of chiropractic management and the high levels of patient satisfaction.

PHASES OF CARE:

Initial -Intensive care

This is usually where most patients begin their chiropractic care. Visits can be frequent, depending upon the severity of your condition.  The primary focus is to reduce or eliminate your most obvious symptoms.

Rehabilitative Care

With your ache or pain diminished, the objective is to stabilise spinal function and promote a more complete healing.  Muscles and soft tissues of the spine are strengthened during this stage of care, helping to avoid a relapse. So we reduce the tretment frequency and pass responsibility to you to strengthen your back with exercises we provide you.

Maintenance Care

With the maximum restoration of spinal function many patients enjoy regular chiropractic "check ups".  This type of preventive, wellness care, can save time and money by helping prevent little problems from becoming serious.  We get you as good as we can and we keep you there enjoying optimum health.

HISTORY OF CHIROPRACTIC

The word 'Chiropractic' comes from the Greek words ‘ chiro' meaning 'hand' and ‘ praktos' meaning 'done' i.e. Done by Hand Chiropractic was invented by Daniel David Palmer.

DD Palmer was born in Ontario, Canada in 1845 and moved south to Iowa in the USA.

DD performed the initial chiropractic adjustment in September 1895. A prolific reader of all things scientific, DD realised that although various forms of manipulation had been used for hundreds if not thousands of years, no-one had developed a philosophical or scientific rationale to explain their effects. DD Palmer's major contribution to the health field was the philosophy, art and science of chiropractic.