What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions related to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves, with particular attention to the spine.
For centuries, patients with a variety of conditions have been been treated with such a ‘hands-on’, natural approach. Since 1895 Chiropractic has developed as a formal system for such diagnosis and treatment. Nowadays, Chiropractic is an established primary-care health profession taught as a 5-year university degree and regulated by governing bodies and/or professional associations.
The Chiropractic Adjustment
The main type of chiropractic treatment is the adjustment. After locating the regions of fixation in the patient’s spine, the chiropractor will usually place his hands on the patient’s neck or back. He or she will make a low-force manual manoeuvre in the direction of the joint restoring proper motion.Typically there is a characteristic click or pop as the joint comes loose. This noise is caused by gas bubbles being released in the fluid inside the joint itself.
Effects of the chiropractic adjustment include:
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Increased Joint Mobility
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Decreased Local Tenderness
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Decreased Muscle Tension
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Improved Muscle Co-ordination
This treatment is one of the safest and most efficient manners of treating pain of musculoskeletal origin.
This said, there are certain conditions for which the chiropractic adjustment is not the best method of treatment.
Also, some patients are nervous about having the chiropractic adjustment performed. In this case there are alternative ways to provide pain relief and improve function.
Additional Therapeutic Methods
Dry-needling with Acupuncture needles
Dry-needling is based on the system of Eastern Acupuncture.
At our clinic we use the acupuncture needles primarily for muscle relaxation and pain relief. This is a great help for tight muscles in the shoulders and elsewhere.
It is generally not painful, except in some areas such as the feet or knees.
All the needles are only used once and immediately stored for recycling after use.
Kinesiotaping
Kinesio Tape is the colourful tape that you may have seen athletes on television wearing.This elasticated tape is not only capable of stimulating enhanced athletic performance but has a variety of other uses.
We often use the tape to stimulate general postural improvement , to relax over-worked muscles, and also we have a special technique to reduce swelling.
Impulser and Activator
These mechanical tools work by applying a short fast impulse at a precise point. Most commonly they are used to facilitate an adjustment of a particular joint. The head of the tool is places against the patient’s skin directly a bone of the restricted joint. The impulse is applied through the skin against the bone, restoring motion to the bone and allowing a reflex muscle relaxation.
This treatment is a gentle alternative to the manual chiropractic adjustment
Muscle Release Therapy
Muscle Release Technique, Active Release Technique or Myofascial Release, is aimed at reducing tension and breaking down scar tissue in the muscles and the surrounding tissue called fascia. During the treatment the patient will make movements to stretch the muscle are the therapist performs a form of deep tissue therapy.
This is an uncomfortable but effective means of restoring movement.
Exercise Therapy
Specific exercises are oftenan important part of treatment. Exercises are commonly included in a patient’s treatment for pain relief, irritation avoidance, and injury prevention.
If patients are new to exercising then we need to begin with basic stabilisation and then move on to move specific exercise.
For patients with a lot of sports and movement experience we can review current practices and refine techniques if needed.
Fascial Manipulation
Fascial manipulation is a manual therapy technique that applies deep friction to specific areas of the body to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. It resembles traditional asian Gua Sha techniques where a tool made from metal or bone is used to create friction on the muscle and fascia below the skin, a sort of specific massage. This technique is particularly good for addressing tendon injuries, chronic muscle tightness and even plantar fasciitis.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Points are tight areas of muscles that are painful and, when provoked, cause referred pain to be felt in other parts of the body.
Trigger Points can be a very common cause pain, including headache and radiating arm or leg pain.
The most common form of therapy is known as Ischemic compression. This is a deep form of massage involving direct compression of the affected area.
Individualised Treatment Plan
At our clinic we will consider your particular condition and your personal goals to develop a plan of treatment most suitable for you.