LONDON CHIROPRACTIC

• What is Chiropractic?
• What should I expect during the consultation?
• How many treatments will I need?
• The Three Types of Stress and Their Affect on our Body.
• Phases Of Chiropractic Care
• What if mine is not a problem for Chiropractic?

What is Chiropractic?

A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft tissue manipulation (World Federation of Chiropractic).

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What should I expect during the consultation?

When you arrive, you will first fill out an intake form with your personal details (name, address, etc.) and few questions about your problem. Then you will go into the consulting room where Dr Carver will take a detailed history of your presenting complaint(s). He will also ask about past problems or illnesses. Even though past history might seem irrelevant to you, it is important as there may be something related you are unaware of or it may alter the type of treatment provided.

After the history, a thorough examination will be performed. This will include any orthopaedic, neurologic and chiropractic tests pertinent to your case. The tests are relatively easy and there is nothing to worry about. Every action is taken to ensure your comfort.

The history and examination will provide Dr Carver with the information to make a diagnosis and treatment plan. You will be given a detailed explanation of both before any treatment is given. Usually, your first treatment will take place on that day. Some reasons for not treating on the first visit are the need for further tests such as X-rays or if there is too much inflammation, in which case Dr Carver will make recommendations for you and to return in a few days.

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How many treatments will I need?

This is determined by taking the history and examination. Everyone is individual and responds differently. Some things to consider are the nature of the problem, what caused it, how long you've had it, your age, lifestyle and stress levels.

To receive optimal benefits from your chiropractic treatment it is important to follow the treatment plan provided, perform all exercises given, make any lifestyle changes recommended and keep a positive attitude.

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The Three Types of Stress and Their Affect on our Body.

Our bodies are placed under varying amounts of stress everyday of our life, which, overtime, can begin to affect its performance. If a body is no longer able to deal with stress in a proper manner it becomes susceptible to disease and injury. Stress can be broken down into three different types.

1. Physical Stress
   a) Microtrauma
   For example, improper posture when sitting, standing, walking or sleeping, repetitive strain injuries or wear and tear due to congenital anomalies.
   b) Macrotrauma
   This is caused by trauma such as falls, slips, fractured bones, car accidents, etc. The trauma doesn’t need to be large and its affects can contribute to problems not only at the time it occurred, but also many years down the road.
2. Emotional Stress
   This is your mental well being. It includes stress from all aspects of your life, e.g. work, relationships and your overall outlook on life. Emotional stress triggers responses in the autonomic nervous system, which influences the function of your body’s tissues; muscles, organs, etc. It can play just as much of a role as any physical stress towards your overall state of health.
   
3. Chemical Stress
   This is what you put into your body. Chemical stresses include pollution, poor diet, alcohol, smoking, drugs, medication and caffeine.

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Phases Of Chiropractic Care

There are three phases of chiropractic care. Whichever phase you decide to take your care to, is up to you.

The amount of treatment is individual to every patient. Your age, lifestyle, general health, genetics, stress levels, prior injuries, amount of degeneration, the severity, nature and length of time the problem has been there must all be taken into consideration.

The phases of care:

1. Initial Intensive Care
   This corresponds to relief from you symptoms. Symptoms are generally the result of inflammation, muscle spasm or irritation of pain fibres in joints, muscles and tendons. Chiropractic adjustments will help to decrease all of these, thereby providing symptomatic relief.
   
   Generally speaking, this occurs first in the phases of care. Treatment is often more frequent during this phase to help get you out of pain quicker and start the healing process. The chiropractor will often give you a set of ‘dos and don’ts’ to assist in making you as comfortable as possible.
   
   
2. Rehabilitative Care
   This corresponds to the healing process or bringing your body towards optimal health. Once the body has cleared what was causing the symptoms (inflammation, muscle spasm etc.) it can then focus on correcting what lead to the symptomatic state in the first place, i.e. neurologic and biomechanical dysfunction.
   
   The chiropractor will continue to give chiropractic adjustments to help bring your body to its best possible function. Treatment frequency will usually decrease, but this phase may take some time. Much like going to the gym, your body does not strengthen and stabilize overnight. As your body begins to function better, you will be given exercise to promote flexibility, strength and stabilization of you body in the proper functional state.
   
   
3. Wellness Care
   This corresponds to maintaining optimal function. Continued chiropractic care can help detect the build up of daily stress and correct it before it leads to a state of dysfunction. This can be thought of as a periodic check-up or ‘tune-up’, much like a dental check-up.
   The frequency of treatment in this phase is much reduced. Again, this is determined by the individual nature of every patient.

However far you decide to take your treatment is always up to you. The chiropractor is there to provide the treatment and guide you through your care.

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What if mine is not a problem for Chiropractic?

If the history and examination suggest yours is not a chiropractic case, Dr Carver will make recommendations or the necessary referral to get you the appropriate care. He may also suggest co-treatment with chiropractic and some other practitioner.

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