Chiropractic care at C1 Chiropractic Health Centre
We successfully treat neck pain and back pain every day. And, as a result of the considerable scientific evidence about chiropractic care, clinical guidelines in Europe and North America recommend spinal manipulation as a 'first line of defence’ in treating most spinal conditions, especially this back pain. Major clinical studies comparing chiropractic care of spinal problems, such as acute back pain and chronic low-back pain, with other commonly used treatments have been carried out. This is especially so in the UK and published in the UK's leading medical journal, the British Medical Journal (BMJ). These studies have proven that chiropractic care provides excellent results and is cost-effective.
"...chiropractic has been demonstrated to be more effective for the management of lower back pain than conventional hospital outpatient care"
British Medical Journal, 2004
"...spinal manipulation is a cost effective addition to "best care" for back pain"
British Medical Journal, 2004
"...patients receiving chiropractic care for lower back pain were more satisfied with their care than patients receiving hospital outpatient care"
British Medical Journal, 1995
So, if you are sufering from back pain of any sort then perhaps chiropractic is a wise first port of call.
What is Chiropractic?
Well, the World Health Organisation seems to have a good definition:
A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment and/or manipulation with a particular focus on subluxations.
The WHO definition, World Health Organization, Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.
The Association of Chiropractic Colleges, 1996
The central nervous system is the control system of the body and it coordinates and controls every organ, tissue, gland and cell in your body. The spinal cord and the nerve roots are very close in anatomical terms to the spinal bones and are easily irritated or in some rare cases damaged by physical or chemical stress. This makes the nerve behave in an aberrant manner and the associated target organs of the nerve function in a less than perfect manner.
At C1 our chiropractors specialise in this ‘detection, correction and prevention’ of spinal joint and muscle problems, in relieving pain and in improving health. Other factors such as an injury, repetitive strain, lack of exercise, poor posture or a poor diet can also lead to subluxations developing in the spine. This improper motion of the joints of the spine and limbs can also cause wear and tear which may later lead to osteoarthritis and subsequent nerve irritation as the nerve's structures are stretched, rubbed or pinched.
At C1 our chiropractors will use chiropractic spinal manipulation to 'adjust' the joints of your spine and in some cases your limbs where signs of restriction in movement are found. They will do this using their hands or sometimes other modalities such as a chiropractic adjusting tool to reduce pain, get you functioning well again and keep you there.
A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the functions of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.
WFC Dictionary Definition, World Federation of Chiropractic, 2001
What Chiropractic is not...
• Chiropractic is not a replacement for painkilling drugs (or a quick fix relief). It is a natural way to stimulate your body to heal itself and this will take time as healing is a process not an event.
• Chiropractic is not dangerous. At C1 your chiropractor has trained for over 5 years to use the safest and gentlest techniques available and will adapt these to suit you.
• Chiropractic is not unconventional. It is scientific and is now a mainstream part of healthcare around the world and is now the third largest healthcare profession in the USA. Thousands of people use chiropractors every day as a part of a good health regime.