What To Expect AT TAMWORTH CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

When you meet your chiropractor for the first time, he/she will start with a discussion about you, your health and your reasons for asking for chiropractic help.

You will be asked for a great deal of information, not just about the pain or complaint but about your past health history. Some of the questions may appear irrelevant, but they are extremely important to your chiropractor. To ensure chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition he/she will need to establish an overall health picture. If chiropractic appears not to be suitable for you, you will be referred to your GP or relevant specialist.

Your details are confidential. No one else will be allowed to see your notes without your permission.

Examination

Once your case history is complete, your chiropractor will examine you to confirm any early ideas about your problem. The examination will concentrate on your neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles and joints), but it may also be necessary to check other things such as your heart lungs and abdomen to rule out other causes; this thorough check up is normal procedure in a chiropractic clinic. However, it is not usual for a chiropractor to examine intimate areas; you will normally be referred to your GP if your chiropractor feels you would benefit from this.

Gowns are made available for you to wear for the examination, as well as any following treatments.

After the initial consultation and examination, your chiropractor may offer you treatment almost immediately. However, it may be delayed for a day or two if he/she needs to take or view X-rays, perform urine tests or obtain further information from your GP (for example blood test results) and where appropriate, refer you for an MRI/CT scan.

X-ray Examination

Chiropractors are fully trained in radiography and radiology. Tamworth Chiropractic Clinic benefits from on-site x-ray facilities meaning that x-ray examination if required can be completed on the first visit. If clinically indicated x-ray examination is an excellent way of diagnosing structural abnormalities of the skeleton. **

Report of Findings

Before any treatment starts, your chiropractor will tell you, in clear, simple language what is wrong with you, what can be done about it and what you should expect when you receive your first treatment. You will probably be told about any exercises or changes to your lifestyle or diet that may be beneficial, so that you can help yourself. A part of getting better is up to you, so please follow any instructions and advice carefully and completely.

You will also be advised of all costs that relate your future care. It would be appropriate, at this point, for your chiropractor to tell you of any likelihood of recurrence of your problem, and the possible need for any ongoing supportive care. This is not an unusual situation for patients who have long-term problems.

Treatment

Chiropractic treatment mainly involves safe, often gentle, specific manipulations, done by hand, to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly. Most often, this requires a short thrust to a joint that can result in an audible “crack”, and may bring relief of symptoms as well as an increased feeling of well being. The “crack” is simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is released.

There is, however, no instant cure, and some patients may experience temporary symptoms such as pain or soreness around the areas being treated, with redness or even bruising of the skin. Spinal disc problems may appear to flare up in the early stages of treatment, and where there is already inflammation, your condition may seem worse to start with. Treatment to the neck may give a distinct light-headedness, and occasionally a short-lived headache.

Apart from the manipulation, your chiropractor may use a wide variety of techniques including ice, heat, ultrasound and exercises. If you have any questions about any of these, just ask.

** Ownership of x-ray films

Patients are kindly asked to note that any x-rays taken or ordered by your chiropractor must be retained by the chiropractor as part of your health record for a period of 8 years after the date of your last visit. This is one of the requirements of the Code of Practice published by the General Chiropractic Council, which is the statutory regulator for chiropractors in the UK.

There may be occasions when you want another health professional to look at your x-rays. In these circumstances your chiropractor will be willing to release them to you or (with your consent) to your health professional of choice, on the clear understanding that the x-ray films will be returned to your chiropractor.

Under the Data Protection Act, you are entitled to a copy of your health record, including your x-rays, and your chiropractor may make a reasonable charge for the copy (the maximum charge that can be made is £50).