Chiropractic care at C1 Chiropractic Health Centre
We successfully treat neck pain and back pain every day. And, for low-back pain, 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:
NICE Guidelines: In May 2009, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines to improve the early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. The guidelines recommend what care and advice the NHS should offer to people affected by low back pain. NICE assessed the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of available treatments and one recommendation is to offer a course of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, spinal mobilisation and massage. This treatment may be provided by a range of health professionals, including chiropractors as spinal manipulation is part of the package of care that chiropractors can offer.
Other major clinical studies comparing chiropractic care for 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
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
and the British Chiropractic Association have it as:
Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves, particularly those of the spine, and their effects on the nervous system.
At C1 we specialise in this ‘detection, treatment 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 problems developing in the spine and we are interested in addressing these as significant underlying factors. The 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 then keep you there.
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.