Holistic healing

Complementary Therapies: the lowdown on chiropractic

Realign the spine to beat pain and enjoy better health with chiropractic

AT A GLANCE

Chiropractors use gentle adjustment of the spine to cure pain in joint-related conditions. Its aim is to correct,strengthen and rehabilitate the spine and muscles, and is most commonly used for back and neck pain. In theory though, any joint pain can be tackled by a chiropractor.

Chiropractic

Many people have heard of chiropractic, though less will know its founder fought such opposition to his therapy that he almost declared it a religion to gain legal rights to practise it inAmerica. Daniel David Palmer, who had no conventional medical training, argued in 1895 that most disease is due to misalignments of the spine, which he called subluxations, that cause pressure on the surrounding nerves. These block the flow of life force around the body, he said.Correcting the subluxations would restore the proper flow of energy, and therefore health.

These days, the General ChiropracticCouncil (GCC) promotes a more scientific view of the therapy, concentrating on the framework of the muscles and bones that support the body.“Almost any joint-related condition might be helped,” says Jo Davison, chiropractor and director of The Spinal Health Centre (thespinalhealthcentre.com). “Most commonly though, we treat back pain, neck pain, migraines and headaches, arm pain and pins and needles,and pinched nerves. In fact, most non-pathological musculoskeletal conditions respond well,” she explains.

What happens?

A typical consultation will last 45 minutes to an hour, and because it is a holistic therapy, you wil lneed to give an idea of your lifestyle to the therapist. “You’ll be asked lots of questions about your health complaint, as well as you rpast medical history, general health, exercise and diet choices,” explains Jo. “Then the chiropractor will examine your spine, and all the joints and muscles connected to it. They will test your nerve function, specifically your reflexes and light touch sensation, they’ll take your blood pressure and they may also take x-rays –all chiropractors are trained to take and read these. X-rays are useful in determining a whole host of spinal conditions including wear and tear (osteoarthritis), structural changes and pathological conditions.

“Chiropractic care has three main goals,”explains Jo. “To get you out of pain, to correct,strengthen and rehabilitate your spine and muscles, and to keep you that way and enhance your wellbeing.”

How do I find out more?

If you think chiropractic could be for you, find a therapist through the GCC by visiting gcc-uk.org. It is illegal for anyone to use the title of chiropractor, or imply that they are one, unless they are registered with the organisation. You can also try the British Chiropractic Association, as it too registers only fully-qualified therapists: chiropractic-uk.co.uk. All must complete a four or five-year degree, and will register with the Council on graduation.

Case study

“Chiropractic gave me my life back”

Louise Baylis found chiropractic helpful after a bad fall

Ten years ago I had a fall where I twisted awkwardly to avoid hitting a cabinet as I fell. This caused severe pain in my lower back and sharp nerve pain down both legs. After a number of unsuccessful return-to-work programmes, my employer terminated my contract and I’ve been on a disability pension ever since.

Apart from prescription painkillers, my chiropractic sessions are the only treatments that deliver any easing of the pain in both my back and legs. I now visit my British Chiropractic Association-registered chiropractor around three times a month and gradually my back has become stronger and more stable. Relapses have been fewer and further between with faster recovery.

Last year I started seeing a personal trainer recommended by my chiropractor who specialises in lower-spine rehabilitation. Previously exercise would have been out of the question, but following chiropractic care I could exercise again which I had missed terribly.