How does it work?	What is Chiropractic suitable for?
Are there different styles of Chiropractic?	What is Applied Kinesiology?
What is Dry Needling?	What happens during a consultation?
Is there scientific proof that Chiropractic works?	Can I have treatment now that I am pregnant?

Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints of your spine and extremities where signs of restriction in movement are found, improving mobility and relieving pain. Your body's own healing processes (which we normally recognize in its ability to heal bruises, cuts and broken bones) will then be able to get on with the task of improving your health. This treatment is known as 'adjustment' or 'manipulation'. As well as using manipulation, your chiropractor may use ice or heat treatment, as well as other techniques, having explained exactly how they work.

Poor, inadequate or incorrect function in the spine can cause irritation of the nerves that control our posture and movement. This spinal nerve stress (which may be caused by factors such as accident, poor diet, lack of exercise, poor posture and anxiety) can lead to the symptoms of discomfort, pain and even disease which are a warning that your body is not functioning properly.

Chiropractic treatment is suitable for everyone, including newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. Once you are better, your chiropractor can help you to maintain your own health, and keep your body working as it should, by offering exercise and lifestyle advice for you to follow in the future.

Although the basic tenets of Chiropractic are universal, there are many different approaches to treatment. Different treatment techniques suit different people and so we tend to use a mixture of techniques, tailoring treatment to the individual. In terms of analysis, we use principles developed in Sacro-Occipital Technique, Applied Kinesiology, Dry Needling (similar to acupuncture) and Motion Palpation. Overall there is an emphasis on gentle effective techniques used to facilitate the body's own healing processes.

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a diagnostic system which uses muscle testing as a tool for the evaluation of the functioning of the body’s regulatory systems. This includes the physical, biochemical (including nutrition) and emotional status. Treatment includes manipulation, cranial therapy, acupressure and fascial release techniques, dietary advice and nutritional supplementation.

This is a non-painful, effective, soft tissue technique that can be used in conjunction with the Chiropractic treatment to release tension from tight tissues and to promote the healing process.

Your chiropractor will begin your first consultation by taking a full case history. Then you will undergo standard Orthopaedic and Neurological Tests and you will have a Chiropractic Assessment. Following the consultation, you will have a Report of Findings where you shall be advised if your condition is suitable to receive Chiropractic care. If so, then the treatment types shall be explained to you and, an appropriate treatment plan for you condition will be detailed. After which you, the patient, will have a good idea of the time scale and cost for treatment.

If X-rays are necessary to assist the diagnosis, then the patient will be immediately referred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as a private Patient. All BCA chiropractors are trained and qualified to take and interpret X-rays.

If your chiropractor identifies an underlying condition for which other treatment is appropriate, you will be referred to your GP or another specialist without delay.

As well as using manipulation, your chiropractor may use ice or heat treatment, as well as other techniques, having explained exactly how they work.

Particularly for low back pain, yes. The Clinical Standards Advisory Group recommended in 1994 that there should be earlier access to the manipulative therapies and a redistribution of resources within the NHS to make this happen.

In September 1996 the Royal College of General Practitioners issued guidelines for GPs which recommend manipulative treatment within the first six weeks for patients with low back pain. They also state that the risks of manipulation are very low in skilled hands.

Now research is beginning to concentrate on how Chiropractic affects other areas of the musculo-skeletal system, including a trial at the University of Odense in Denmark¹ on the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of neck-related headache and a Canadian patient satisfaction study² which shows Chiropractic as an effective means of resolving or improving back and/or neck pain.

References:
1) Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J, The Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache, J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997; 20:326-330
2)Verhoef MJ, Page SA, Waddell SC, The Chiropractic Outcome Study: Pain, Functional Ability and Satisfaction with Care, J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997, 20(4):235-240

Chiropractic can be of great benefit to pregnant mums. Back Pain, Groin Pains and many more conditions can be helped with Chiropractic care.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes the most radical changes that will occur during her adult life. Joint problems can be particularly difficult to cope with since using most painkillers is not advisable during pregnancy. The first priority is always the safety of the mother and baby, and all Chiropractic techniques used are safe for both the pregnant woman and the baby.

Chiropractic treatment in pregnancy can not only optimise the baby’s position and help with the rigours of pregnancy and labour it can also effectively treat pregnancy related problems such as: