What is meant by the term ‘Evidence Based’?
“Evidence Based Medicine” seeks to utilize the current best available, scientifically validated evidence in healthcare decision-making. This will be the underlying principle of the care you will receive: safe and effective treatment strategies that have been shown to work.
What should I expect during the consultation?
The first step will be a comprehensive history-taking of your presenting complaint, including past injuries or illnesses. Although past history may seem irrelevant, it may alter the type of treatment given or shed light on the cause of your problem.
Following this, a thorough physical examination will be performed, utilizing a combination of orthopaedic, neurologic, and chiropractic tests as indicated by your history. All tests are relatively easy and comfortable to perform.
At this point your practitioner will explain your condition, answering any questions and proposing a treatment plan to address your complaint. Unless the prior examination indicates yours is not a chiropractic problem or requires further investigation, you will have your first treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Each patient is unique and responds differently, however various factors such as the nature of the problem, the severity of the problem, age, and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and stress levels have a large impact.
Optimal response is obtained by complying with your treatment plan, performing all exercises prescribed, addressing any lifestyle factors highlighted by your practitioner, and keeping a positive attitude.
It is helpful to consider treatment as composed of three stages:
1)Intensive Care
Initial treatment aims to relieve symptoms, which are generally the consequence of inflammation, muscle spasm or irritation of nerve fibres which sense pain in the joints, muscles and tendons. Chiropractic adjustments will help to reduce these symptoms, thereby providing symptomatic relief. Treatment is most frequent in this phase so as to get you out of pain faster and start the healing process. Your practitioner will also provide you with any advice to assist this process and make you more comfortable.
2)Rehabilitative Care
This stage is aimed at correcting the problem(s) that lead to your initial symptoms, such as incorrect patterns of movement, core muscle weakness, or chronic stiffness. Your chiropractor will continue to treat you with adjustments to improve your overall functioning, and a tailored exercise programme is often implemented to further speed your progress. Treatment frequency will usually decrease, however this stage generally takes longer than the initial intensive care. Much like going to the gym, this strength and stabilization takes time, especially in the case of chronic complaints.
3)Supportive Care
This stage corresponds to regular but much less frequent ‘tune-ups’ to maintain optimal function. Continued chiropractic care can help to identify and treat small stresses and patterns of tightness in the body before they progress to a painful state – just like your dental check up or car service.
Your chiropractor will make recommendations and discuss varying treatment options with you– however remember the decision of how far to take your care is always up to you!
What if mine is not a Chiropractic problem?
If our assessment indicates that Chiropractic is not going to provide the best treatment for you, you will be immediately referred to the appropriate specialist.
Is Chiropractic safe and effective for all age groups?
Simply – Yes! From a new-born baby to an elderly patient, Chiropractic has been proven to be both safe and effective. A Canadian Government study into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic management of low back pain concluded that “Chiropractic should be the treatment of choice for low back pain”, that it is more cost-effective than conventional medical treatment, and that “There is no clinical or case-control study that demonstrates or even implies that chiropractic spinal manipulation is unsafe”.
Will it hurt?
The adjustments themselves are usually painless, and a variety of techniques may be used depending on your individual complaint, age or preference. The primary method of treatment is manual adjustments, where a gentle, quick thrust is delivered by the chiropractor’s hands to restore joint movement.
Treatment of soft tissue tension may cause some discomfort, as trigger points are released and tight muscles stretched. If any post-treatment soreness is experienced, it is usually mild (akin to post-exercise soreness) and usually resolves within 12-48 hours.
Will I need x-rays?
In most cases, no. Although providing a visual aid to show you your individual spine and any genetic anomalies, x-rays are generally not necessary for your chiropractor to establish your problem. In the case where x-ray or other investigation is indicated however, you will be appropriately referred.
