Therapy name: Chiropractic
Regulatory Body: General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
Efficacy: Headache, Migraine, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Chest Pain, Abdominal Pain, Shoulder, Arm, Wrist and Hand Problems, Leg, Knee, Ankle and Foot Problems
Overview: Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions due to mechanical dysfunctions of the joints and their effects on the nervous system.
How it works: Spinal nerve stress can lead to discomfort, pain and disease. Mobility can be improved and pain can be relieved through the adjustment of the joints in the spine and extremities where signs of restriction in movement are found.
Manipulating the joints stimulates the joint movement receptors, these provide feedback to the brain on where the joint is positioned in space. Therefore stimulation of these receptors can affect how your nervous system works.
What to expect: The chiropractor will take a full case history, standard neurological and orthopaedic tests and check the movement of your spine and joints. Sometimes x-rays may be needed to assist in the diagnosis.
Known Contraindications: It has been found that a small percentage of patients who suffered a vertebral artery dissection (VAD) had cervical spinal manipulation at some point prior to the VAD occurring. This is a weakening or tear of the artery which forms a blood clot in the vessel.