​We’ve all seen the easing of lockdown conditions in recent weeks - we can gather in slightly larger groups, travel a little further, exercise as much as we want - and even get a coffee from a drive-thru!

And we're now able to see patients, face-to-face!

As chiropractors, we’ve all been watching and waiting, and following the guidance as it is interpreted by our professional bodies and regulators. The main problem is that it’s really not possible to ‘socially distance’, maintaining the all-important >2metre spacing, when we do our hands-on job. Short of growing Mr Tickle arms!!!

However, we’re now able to see people face-to-face, who are in urgent need, in clinic.

But how urgent is urgent?

It’s really anyone who has been struggling, and continues to struggle, or who’s pain and disability is severely impacting their everyday lives. Or it’s the sort of problem that would lead you to seek out another healthcare professional. 

At the end of the day, the easiest thing is for you to simply give us a call as we can advise you of the best course of action, and whether an appointment might be suitable for you, or whether we can help ease things with some advice and recommendations. 01989 567222

We’ve done a thorough risk assessment in clinic and implemented a few changes to help to keep you, and us safe:

• DO NOT ATTEND YOUR APPOINTMENT if you, or people you have been in contact with, exhibit the symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, new or continuous cough, or loss of smell/taste). Stay at home and self-isolate. Call NHS 111.
• Arrive at your appointed time (not early or late) to avoid contact time in clinic.
• Maintain social distancing > 2m distance at all times.
• Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds on arrival in clinic and again when you leave. Use hand sanitizer provided.
• Please wear loose, comfortable clothing as you will not be changing into a gown.
• Please wear a face mask/face covering to protect the chiropractor and those around you.
• Do not bring friends or family to the clinic with you (unless you require a chaperone).
• Leave personal items (bag, watch etc) in the car.
• Avoid ‘touch points’ (doors, banisters, light switches). 
• Contactless card-payments preferable.
• The chiropractor will be wearing PPE.
• Appointments have been staggered to reduce footfall in clinic, minimise crossover between patients and to allow for cleaning, donning/doffing PPE.
• Patients who are at ‘higher risk’ (over 70 years, pregnant, underlying health condition, weakened immune system) are advised not to attend the clinic, but should telephone the clinic for appropriate advice. Should you require essential treatment for an URGENT condition, we will do our best to accommodate you and will arrange an appointment that minimises risk and exposure as much as is possible. 
• Telephone/video consultations may remain the treatment of choice for some. Much can be done remotely (history, assessment, a working diagnosis, prognosis, education, exercise and rehabilitative advice and self-management strategies). 
• Whilst every precaution is taken to limit your exposure to Coronavirus, we cannot guarantee that there is no risk as a result of attending our clinic for treatment. 
• Your consent will be requested and recorded in your treatment notes.​

Thank you for your ongoing support and consideration.

I hope that this message finds you all safe and well!

The past few weeks have been very challenging for us all as we’ve ‘stayed home, and stayed safe’. We’re now into the next phase, but must continue to follow the Government guidelines in order to control this pandemic.

Since closing our doors on 23rd March 2020, we’ve continued to provide care via online telehealth consultations, giving advice and reassurance to our patients. However, many of you have been asking when we might re-open our doors to face-to-face consultations, particularly in light of the recent updates from the Government regarding Covid-19.

Safety is paramount!
​
As always, your safety and wellbeing is paramount, together with the responsibility that we play to the wider community.

We are constantly reviewing and updating our protocols in order to make the clinic as safe as possible, to keep you safe and reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 to an absolute minimum. We are following the guidance from the Government, Public Health England, and our own regulatory and professional bodies - guidance that seems to change on a daily basis!

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience - we very much hope that we will be able to re-open in just a few weeks, hopefully in early June. In the meantime, we MAY be able to deliver hands-on care, but only in case of emergency, the most urgent and essential of cases, and only following telephone/video consultation with the chiropractor.

Please call us on 01989 567222 or email wyevalleychiropractic@gmail.com if you’d like advice or guidance.

We look forward to seeing you all back in clinic, hopefully sooner rather than later!

The health and wellbeing of our patients and local community is of paramount importance to us, but we also have a wider responsibility to public health and society in general.

So, at present, we are unable to see patients face-to-face in clinic due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but we are offering virtual 'telehealth' online consultations to ensure that we are still able to give you the advice, reassurance and self-management strategies that will help to get you back on track.

But how can you help me if you’re not there, in front of me, in clinic?
From our experience, there are several things that you want as a patient when you come to see us in clinic.
You want:

• an understanding of what the problem is
• to know what you have done, and what you can do about it
• how to ease the pain and discomfort
• advice on what you can and can’t do,  in order to make things better as quickly as possible
• reassurance that you’ll get back on track, and how soon you’ll be back to normal Specific exercises and activities that will help you to speed up the healing process, and get back to doing the things you love
• professional support and guidance to address any of your concerns

And none of this requires a face-to-face visit, or hands-on treatment!

Whilst chiropractors are perhaps best-known for the hands-on treatment we provide, much of the benefit actually comes from the advice, exercises and self-management strategies that we are able to work through with you.

And whilst we are in ‘lock-down’, unable to see patients in clinic, we have the skills and knowledge to deliver this online.

During a telehealth consultation* we can:

• talk to you face-to-face on a video-link
• listen to your story and find out what the problem is
• obtain a detailed history of your main complaint and your general medical health
• observe how you move, and see what movements you find difficult
• conduct tests to help us work out what is wrong
• discuss with you what we think is going on, and advise you on the best course of action, including onward referral (triage) to the another health care professional if you need emergency care or we are not able to help
• reassure you and advise you on what you can and can’t be doing to aid your recovery
• provide detailed, personalised exercises and rehabilitative advice
• improve your overall health and wellbeing with postural and lifestyle advice
• give you support and guidance during your recovery with follow-up sessions, if required.

*We use a secure online platform (doxy.me) that is specifically designed for telehealth consults. It’s easy to use, we simply send you a link that you just click. And we can always switch the camera off if you’re feeling shy! And it technology fails, we can always revert to a good, old-fashioned telephone!

So, not sure whether to make an appointment?
Give us a call! 01989 567222
We’re happy to chat things through, give advice and work out whether you need a more detailed assessment.

For our existing patients and for new enquiries, we are, as always, happy to give advice on the phone, free of charge. This might include an update on how you’re doing, a review of any exercises, or advice you might have been given, or whether you require more help from us.

Basically, if you would have made an appointment to come and see us in clinic, you should probably make an appointment to come and see us ‘online’!

How much does it cost?
We’re charging less than we would normally do in clinic, even though we give you as much (if not more!) time and expertise.
Initial consultation (45-60 mins)                         £44 (usually £54)
Follow-up appointment (20-30 mins)                £34 (usually £38)

Still not sure?
Just get in touch! Email, message on Facebook, or just call 01989 567222 - we’re happy to chat things through