What is the difference between Chiropractic and Physiotherapy?  Back to top

The main differences between chiropractic and physiotherapy are at the basic levels of diagnosis. Physiotherapy follows traditional medical approaches of compartmentalising illness and pain. Chiropractic follows a holistic medical model, treating each individual uniquely, and applying their own methods of diagnosis, and therefore treatment to each case. A chiropractor is highly trained in the detection of vertebral joint dysfunction and the art of spinal and extremity adjusting.

What is the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy?  Back to top

Chiropractic and Osteopathy both have their roots in the USA at the end of the 19th century. Although they initially developed from different schools of thought, in modern Britain, Chiropractic and Osteopathy have grown so that now the similarities in terms of concepts and techniques outweigh the differences. Chiropractics however, tend to use adjustments that are more specific to one joint and are trained to take and read X-rays. Each chiropractor and osteopath will develop their own unique style of practice with a varying degree of overlap in terms of approach and technique. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your practitioner and have confidence in their ability to diagnose and manage your condition. A referral from a family member or friend is a good place to start.

Can anyone call themselves a chiroprcator?  Back to top

No! It is illegal in the UK for anyone to use the title of 'Chiroprcator' or imply that they are a chiropractor unless they are registered with the General Chiroprcatic Council. The General Chiropractic Council is required by law to:- Undertake checks on those who apply for registration to make sure that the applicant has a chiropractic qualification, is of good character and is physically and mentally fit Set and monitor standards of chiropractic training Set standards of practice and conduct Deal with any complaints about the conduct of practice of chiropractors

What is the popping sound during an adjustment?  Back to top

'popping' sound (called cavitation) during a chiropractic adjustment is simply caused by gas within the joints. When the joint is adjusted, a pressure difference is created. Gas moves within the joint capsule and creates a ‘popping’ sound. Cavitation is only a side effect of an adjustment and actually has no therapeutic value.

Can Chiropractic help with my arthritis?  Back to top

Yes! Whilst Chiropractic does not directly treat the arthritis, treatment can be particularly helpful in helping joints with wear and tear (osteoarthritis) to achieve better function. A common misconception is that ‘I have arthritis in my spine and that nothing can be done' however chiropractic adjustments are helpful at reducing muscle spasm around joints, restoring the joint’s natural movement patterns and enhancing joint nutrition. This therefore increases the joint’s range of movement and reduces wear and tear. The most common effect after receiving chiropractic treatment is reduced stiffness and improved mobility.

Are Chiropractors medical doctors?  Back to top

No. Chiropractors are 'Doctors of Chiropractic'. All mention of 'Dr' when referring to Chiropractors at Nantwich and Castle Chiropractic Clinics implies 'Doctor of Chiropractic'.

Where can I find research to support Chiropractic Treatment?  Back to top

There is plenty of research available through various public medical research papers. A list of articles and their conclusions/results are listed below however there are many more articles available through various online sites. Haneline MT. Symptomatic outcomes and perceived satisfaction levels of chiropractic patients with a primary diagnosis involving acute neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2006;29(4):288-296. Conclusion/Results: "Patients with acute neck pain involved in this study seemed to be satisfied with chiropractic treatment and reported reductions in associated pain levels and activity restrictions. Law A. Diversified chiropractic management in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A case report. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2001:45(4), pp. 232-240. Conclusion/Results: The patient demonstrated gradual improvements in pain, range of motion, and stiffness as measured by Lequesne index and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index scores. Haas M, Groupp E, Aickin M, et al. Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study. JMPT 2004;27(9):547-553 Conclusion/Results: Patients receiving chiropractic treatments had significantly reduced levels of pain. Leach RA. Differential compliance instrument in the treatment of infantile colic: A report of two cases. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2002:25(1), pp. 58-62 Conclusion/Results: uninterrupted daily sleep doubled for the infants and positive results persisted at 30-day follow-ups with regular, light impulse treatment. "Natural remission seems an unlikely explanation in these cases, given the young age of the infants at the onset of chiropractic (6 and 9 weeks, respectively; natural remissions occur at 3-9 months) and the speed with which the postadjustment remissions occurred. Blokland MP, Bolton JE, Gration J. Chiropractic treatment in workers with musculoskeletal complaints. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2000:8, pp17-23 Conclusion/Results: Data taken from the questionnaires provided evidence of decreases in all outcome measures, and evidence of patients' satisfaction with treatment and perceived self-improvement. All employees remained working or returned to work within eight chiropractic treatments. The authors conclude that their findings support the feasibility of: 1) a referral system for workers with musculoskeletal complaints; 2) documenting outcomes in the everyday practice setting; and 3) developing datasets on which to base clinical effectiveness studies in the treatment of workers with musculoskeletal complaints. Descarreaux M, Blouin JS, Drolet M, et al. Efficacy of preventive spinal manipulation for chronic low-back pain and related disabilities: a preliminary study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 2004;27(8):509-514 Conclusion/Results: This study appears to confirm previous reports showing that LBP and disability scores are reduced after spinal manipulation. It also shows the positive effects of preventive chiropractic treatment in maintaining functional capacities and reducing the number and intensity of pain episodes after an acute phase of treatment. Maintenance chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation combined with other treatment modalities (exercises, pain management program) should be investigated. Such combined interventions may have a critical influence on pain, disability, and return to work. Leboeuf-Yde C, Axen I, Ahlefeldt G, et al. The types and frequencies of improved nonmusculoskeletal symptoms reported after chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Nov./Dec. 1999:22(9) Conclusion/Results: Patients reported numerous positive improvements in nonmusculoskeletal symptoms, including: * easier to breathe (98 patients); * improved digestive function (92 patients); * clearer/better/sharper vision (49 patients); * improved circulation (34 patients); * less ringing in the ears (10 patients); * acne/eczema better (8 patients); * dysmenorrhoea better (7 patients); and * asthma/allergies better (6 patients). The number of spinal areas treated was also related to the number of reactions: 15% reported experiencing positive reactions having a single area adjusted, as compared to 35% of patients having four areas adjusted. Overall, 23% of chiropractic patients reported experiencing changes in symptoms that were not musculoskeletal in nature. Troyanovich SJ, Harrison DD, Harrison DE. Low back pain and the lumbar intervertebral disk: Clinical consideration for the doctor of chiropractic. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 1999;22(2) Conclusion/Results: Conservative treatment should be the first line of treatment in patients without absolute signs for surgical intervention (patients with a cauda equina syndrome, in the presence of severe motor deficits, and in patients with intractable pain. The authors also conclude: Of the available conservative treatments, chiropractic management has been shown through multiple studies to be safe, clinically effective, cost-effective, and to provide a high degree of patient satisfaction. As a result, in patients with discogenic or radicular pain syndromes for whom the surgical indications are not absolute, a minimum of 2 or 3 months of chiropractic management is indicated. Wight S, Osborne N, Breen AC. Incidence of ponticulus posterior of the atlas in migraine and cervicogenic headache.Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Jan. 1999;22(1) Conclusion/Results: There seems to be a significant association between ponticulus posticus and migraine without aura. The authors feel that beneficial results of chiropractic treatment for migraine and cervicogenic headache are probably related to atlanto-occipital segmental structures. Gleberzon BJ, Killinger LZ. Management considerations for patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis: A chiropractic perspective on what's working. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic 2002:9(1) Conclusion/Results: The authors encourage co-management when treating OA and OP, as evidence supports the value of both medical and chiropractic treatment. Health promotion and prevention are the best ways to ward off these conditions. Bisset L, Beller E, Jull G, et al. Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteroid injection, or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised trial. BMJ (online first), Sept. 29, 2006 Conclusion/Results: The combination of elbow manipulation and exercise had a superior advantage to wait and see in the first six weeks and to corticosteroid injections after six weeks. The researchers suggest this might be a reasonable alternative to injections, since the short-term benefits of corticosteroid injection were reversed after the initial six weeks. Couture CJ, Karlson KA. Tibial stress injuries: Decisive diagnosis and treatment of 'shin splints.' The Physician and Sportsmedicine 2002:30(6) Conclusion/Results: Relative rest and avoidance of the activity aggravating the injury (from a few days to six weeks, depending on severity), until pain has abated, are necessary. Aerobic fitness maintenance through pool exercises or cycling; self-administered ice massage; therapeutic massage; gradual return-to-training; and stretching also are effective. Stress fractures may require a cast, walker, or brace. Chiropractors are able to implement the above therapy and advise on the above activities. Kazemi M. Adhesive capsulitis: a case report. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2000:44(3) Conclusion/Results: This case report illustrates the clinical presentation, diagnosis, radiographic assessment and conservative chiropractic management of an unusual case of adhesive capsulitis. The patient's shoulder range of motion was full and pain-free after four months of conservative chiropractic care. From a clinical standpoint, idiopathic adhesive capsulitis symptoms can be divided into three phases: the painful phase, the stiffening phase and the thawing phase. Conservative management is usually provided for this condition. The author recommends chiropractic manipulation of the shoulder, therapeutic modalities, exercise, soft tissue therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is advocated when conservative treatment fails. Gimblett PA, Saville J, Ebrall P. A conservative management protocol for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, Nov/Dec 1999:22(9) Conclusion/Results: The authors suggest that the management of shoulder tendinitis falls within the scope of chiropractic practice, and that a trial period of conservative care should be instituted before consideration of surgical treatment. Taimela S, Takala E, Asklof T, et al. Active treatment of chronic neck pain: a prospective randomized intervention.Spine 2000:25(8) Conclusion/Results: Patients in the active group reported greater satisfaction, reduction in pain severity, and improvements in working ability at three and 12-month follow-ups compared to the home group and the control group. Home exercises were not as effective as active exercises, but both were more efficacious than simple recommendations for exercise (control group). Kruse R, Schliesser J, DeBono V. Klippel-Feil syndrome with radioculopathy. Chiropractic management utilizing flexion-distraction technique: a case report. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2000:8(4) Conclusion/Results: The authors suggest that due to the quick resolution of the patient's complaints, flexion-distraction may be a beneficial treatment option when managing patients with various types of cervical radiculopathy. Green BN. Chiropractic management of a case of combined osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Journal of Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, Sept. 2000:14(3) Conclusion/Results: After 12 weeks, the patient's intake of pain-relieving medication decreased from 4,000 mg per day to none, and he had full and painless range of motion. His activities of daily living, initially greatly impacted by his spinal pain, returned to normal. His pain severity rating (eight on a 1-10 scale at baseline) was reduced to zero at the conclusion of care. Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, et al. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, June 1998;21(5) Conclusion/Results: Both patient groups experienced significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, finger sensation, and overall nerve conduction. Chiropractic interventions may help relieve patients of discomfort and dysfunction while offering long-term, nonsurgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Andrew TL. Improvements in motion and pain scores after cervical manipulation in a professional acrobat with acute cervical zygapophyseal joint pain. Journal of Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation 2000: 14(4) Consclusion/Results: Chiropractic manipulation of the C5/C6 motor unit played a significant role in increasing the cervical range of motion and decreasing the cervical pain experienced by this athlete. This case helps to provide basic clinical evidence that supports existing hypotheses pertaining to cervical posterior joint pain. Walsh MJ, Polus BI. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of chiropractic therapy on premenstrual syndrome. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, Nov/Dec 1999:22(9) Consclusion/Results: Symptom scores (assessed by daily rating of symptom levels using a Moos PMS questionnaire) decreased after treatment compared with baseline scores, with a statistically significant decrease in scores for the treatment phase compared with the placebo phase. Tuchin PJ, Pollard H, Bonello R. A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine.Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 2000:23(2) Consclusion/Results: These results appear to support previous evidence suggesting significant improvements in specific subjects following chiropractic manipulation. The authors note that since "a high percentage (83%) of participants in this study reported stress as a major factor for their migraines... it appears probable that chiropractic care has an effect on the physical conditions related to stress and that in these people the effects of the migraine are reduced. Barnes T. Chiropractic management of the special-needs child.Topics in Clinical Chiropractic, Dec. 1997;4(4) Consclusion/Results: There is an extensive listing of essential data for treating these children. Adjustment techniques are offered for each situation. Although genetic disorders remain incurable, under certain circumstances children with these conditions may receive clinical benefit and/or palliative relief of concurrent problems from chiropractic interventions. Keller T, Colloca C. Mechanical force spinal manipulation increases trunk muscle strength assessed by electromyography: A clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2000:23, pp. 585-595. Consclusion/Results: Patients in the SMT group demonstrated a significant increase in post-SMT erector spinae EMG output; the sham and control groups did not. These findings indicate that altered muscle function may be a potential short-term therapeutic effect of mechanical force, manually assisted adjusting, and they form a basis for a randomized controlled clinical trial to further investigative acute and long-term changes in low back function.