What is Chiropractic?Chiropractic is a non-surgical approach to the management of mechanical disorders of the spine and joints, and the affect that these might have on your overall health and wellbeing.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose, manage and prevent conditions affecting the "neuromusculoskeletal system" - problems with the bones, joints, and muscles - and the effect that they may have on the nervous system. Whilst they are best known for the management of back and neck pain, chiropractors are also trained to manage a wide range of problems affecting other joints and soft tissues of the body. |
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Chiropractic means 'done by hand' and chiropractors are trained in a number of hands-on techniques or 'manual therapies', such as joint manipulation, soft tissue work, massage, stretching, and joint mobilisation. At the Wye Valley Chiropractic Clinic, we're also trained in Dry Needling (a form of medical acupuncture) and this is can be used to manage a range of soft tissue and pain syndromes. Manipulation is often accompanied by a popping sound (similar to the 'crack' heard when people flex their knuckles). This is simply the sound of gas bubbles popping in the fluid of the joints as pressure is released.
Self-help advice, patient education and rehabilitative care form an important part of chiropractic treatment. You may also be given advice on activity, posture and specific exercises to help aid the recovery and prevent recurrence of your complaint, and enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
Regulation of Chiropractic
In common with medical practitioners and dentists, all chiropractors are registered by law under the Chiropractors Act 1994 and the title ‘Chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation. The profession is statutorily regulated through the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and it is illegal to practise as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC.
The History of Chiropractic
Written records from the ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations, dating back several thousand years, refer to spinal manipulation. The inception of modern chiropractic can be traced back to 1895 when Canadian Daniel David Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment and went on to found The Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 1897.
The 20th century saw the growth and development of the profession worldwide, gaining recognition and respect for the place it has taken in the primary care environment. Influential research has underpinned the development of the profession and has come both from both within and outside of the chiropractic research communities.
The 20th century saw the growth and development of the profession worldwide, gaining recognition and respect for the place it has taken in the primary care environment. Influential research has underpinned the development of the profession and has come both from both within and outside of the chiropractic research communities.