Wye Valley Chiropractic
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I'm Registered!

10/10/2023

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All chiropractors practising in the UK, MUST be registered with the General Chiropractic Council – an independent statutory body established by Parliament to regulate the chiropractic profession. The GCC is there to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring high standards of education and practice in the chiropractic profession.

Why see a registered chiropractor?
 
It’s illegal to practise in the UK, or to call yourself a ‘chiropractor’ unless you are properly qualified and registered with the GCC. As chiropractors, we MUST adhere to The Code which sets out the required standards of conduct, performance and ethics. We MUST retain our GCC registration on an annual basis, ensuring that we have completed a mandated number of hours of ‘continuing professional development’ – ongoing learning and education with our peers and colleagues.
 
Patients have reported that they are reassured when they see the GCC’s ‘I’m registered’ mark, commenting that it demonstrates the chiropractor works to specific standards and is well trained.

I have been registered with the GCC since I graduated many years ago, but the GCC has recently updated things with this 'I'm registered' mark - so I'm proudly displaying it on the website! 
 
 
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World Menopause day 2021

18/10/2021

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Today is World Menopause Day – an annual event that aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the effects of the menopause on our health and wellbeing.

Menopause is a natural part of ageing, but it can be difficult to deal with.

Many women go through menopause and experience symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats, mood swings, anxiety or depression. One of the often common, but overlooked, symptoms are generalised aches and pains – something that we see every day in clinic.

Not all women will have the same symptoms – some might not even notice them at all – whereas others find them crippling and hugely impactful. This makes it hard for many women to know if their symptoms are down to menopause.

Why does menopause occur?
Oestrogen is a hormone mainly produced in the ovaries and is responsible for controlling many functions in the body including the production of an egg each month (ovulation). As a woman gets older, their store of eggs in the ovaries naturally declines. Menopause occurs when your ovaries stop producing eggs and your body’s oestrogen levels fall. As a result, there are many changes that can occur to the body including no longer having periods and the symptoms we associate with the menopause.
 
There are many symptoms associated with the menopause, usually the result of hormone imbalance and lack of oestrogen. These include: hot flushes, joint aches and muscle pains, weight gain, depression and anxiety, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, night sweats, low mood, low libido, headaches, low energy, disrupted periods, painful sex, brain fog – but there are many more!
 
The focus for World Menopause Day 2021 is bone health. Raising awareness of the menopause and its associated symptoms encourages early diagnosis and treatment of related conditions such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis (and osteopenia) is a reduction in bone density which often affects postmenopausal woman more than others in the population due to the lower bone density levels after years without periods. There are many ways that you can keep your bones healthy and strong - regular exercise and activity is hugely important and also helps prevent falls and resultant breaks and fractures. 
 
Raising awareness of the menopause gives people who are experiencing any form of discomfort during this time a chance to speak openly about their experiences while raising awareness among friends, family members, colleagues.

After all, it’s something that will affect pretty much every single woman on earth!
 
For more information, visit The British Menopause Society or chat things through with Elisabeth in clinic. 
 
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2020 - well, what a year that was!

31/12/2020

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PictureNew sign, new clinic!
Not exactly a year of ‘clarity’, ’insight’ and ‘2020 vision’ as we might have hoped…
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Had anyone said that they’d set up a clinic at the start of a pandemic, they’d have been told they were completely mad - and I would have had to agree with them!


I opened the Wye Valley Chiropractic Clinic in the Autumn of 2019 having moved on from my clinic in Anglesey where we’d lived for the last 12 years whilst my husband, a former fast-jet pilot, was flying at RAF Valley.

The clinic was really ‘launched’ in New Year 2020 and all went swimmingly in Ross for the first couple of months, with patients finding out about us and spreading the word to their friends and families. Clinic became busier, and I was in the process of getting a receptionist and recruiting an associate to start in the summer, when we were all thrown into lockdown at the end of March. ​

PictureCheep Cheep
It was a worrying time for us all; we were scared of Covid-19, no one knew how we’d survive weeks on end in isolation, away from friends and family, starved of social contact and every day activities and entertainments. For me, it was the first time in 20 years that I’d not been able to practice, and being told to stop made me realise two things: i) just how hands-on and people-centred our job is, and ii) just how much I enjoy what I do, and what a huge part of my life it has become.

After the initial shock of lockdown, I quickly adjusted to the enforced time away from clinic. Fortunately the weather was kind, and I enjoyed long, lazy days in the garden, weeding the rose-bed and planting up the vegetable patch.

​I  spent many happy hours exploring the gorgeous Herefordshire countryside, and was hugely grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the country. We also reared a baby pheasant ‘Cheep Cheep’ who’d been abandoned as a hatchling in our garden - a fantastic lockdown project and one which provided many hours of fun.

PictureI'm learning, honest!
Like many, I adapted to life ‘online’ and attended numerous workshops and webinars, updating my knowledge base and catching up with friends and colleagues from around the world, albeit in a ‘virtual’ arena!
​

I embraced modern technology and started offering ‘telehealth’ appointments for patients - perhaps not ideal for those more used to hands-on treatment, but it was very good to be able to offer advice, reassurance and rehabilitative exercises to people who were struggling during lockdown. I worked with colleagues who have since written up several papers for publication in scientific journals about the use of virtual consultations in chiropractic.

PicturePPE, or orchid?!
Fortunately, we were able to resume face-to-face contact for the majority of our patients at the end of June, following guidance from the government and our own professional regulatory bodies. We’d undertaken a thorough (and regularly reviewed) risk-assessment and implemented a number of changes in clinic to keep our patients (and the wider community) safe. Rigorous cleaning and sanitisation protocols, reduced footfall and fewer appointments to clinic, increased ventilation and full PPE for me.
​

It was hot and frustrating at times, and admittedly took some getting used to! With over 20 years’ clinical experience with emphasis on a ‘professional, yet friendly’ approach, it was very strange to be hidden behind a white coat, mask, apron, gloves and visor. It was only when I went to see my own chiropractor for a check-up (too much gardening!) that I realised just how intimidating we looked! My mum said that she thinks of me like an orchid in the supermarket, carefully wrapped up in plastic and a cellophane shield - a rather lovely analogy and much better and less hostile than the alien spaceman I feared I resembled!

PictureHere's to a happy, and HEALTHY 2021!
Despite the rustly apron and fugged-up visor, it was lovely to be back in clinic, helping patients with their aches and pains, sore backs, necks, knees, hips and shoulders. So many people had struggled during lockdown - not only with their physical health, but their mental wellbeing too. Many of our patients live alone, and for some, coming to the clinic was the only social interaction that they had. It was hugely rewarding for me too, to resume some element of normality and help people to get back on track, free from aches and pains. Having had time away from clinic I was reminded just how much I enjoy what I do, and what a privilege it is to be able to help people.

I think we’ve all adjusted to a ‘new normal’ - a normality of face-masks, social distancing, hand-sanitisers and fist-bumps. Gone are the formal handshakes and the friendly hugs, and it is sad to not be able to see smiles and laughs as before. But we’ll get back to that eventually.

So, we’ll carry on as we are in 2021 and hopefully with the vaccine, restrictions will gradually ease, and we’ll get back to the ‘old normal’ one day!

In the meantime, an enormous thank you to you all for your support, smiles and laughter behind the masks! And well done! We’ve done it! We’ve got to the end of the year, and if nothing else, at least we all know how to spell ‘unprecedented’…



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Back to 'new' normal

6/9/2020

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After a summer of staycations and day trips, we’re all slowly easing into a ‘new normal’.

The Wye Valley Chiropractic Clinic re-opened at the end of June when lockdown was eased, and we're delighted to be able to see everyone again in person, albeit hidden behind a mask! We're still offering virtual 'telehealth' consultations for those patients that don't wish to come into clinic.

We've been following the guidance from our professional regulators, the government and Public Health England regarding what precautions we have to take to keep you, and us, safe.  At present it's full PPE for me (gloves, aprons, visor and mask) - hot, crackly and a bit intimidating for patients - and face-masks for patients. We've also spaced appointments apart to reduce footfall to clinic and allow time for cleaning and sanitising between patients - it all takes a little bit longer, so thank you for your patience!

We're taking on New Patients, so if you haven't been to clinic before and are struggling, please just give us a call 01989 567222 or drop an email!
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Covid-19 - open for urgent cases!

7/6/2020

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​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.
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Covid-19 update - May 2020

18/5/2020

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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 [email protected] if you’d like advice or guidance.

We look forward to seeing you all back in clinic, hopefully sooner rather than later!
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Covid-19 and telehealth

20/4/2020

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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
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    Author

    Elisabeth Angier, DC, is an experienced chiropractor with over 23 years' in clinical practice. She writes about hints and tips she gives to patients, and shares some of the wisdom and life experiences she has learned over the years. 

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Wye Valley Chiropractic Clinic 2024
  • home
  • contact us
  • about us
  • faq
  • what to expect
  • what is chiropractic
  • Terms & Conditions
  • testimonials