CONDITIONS WE TREAT
A common misconception is that chiropractors can only treat back or neck pain. In fact, chiropractors are trained to treat many different conditions affecting the muscoloskeletal system.
Chiropractic training emphasises the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. That is pain arising from the muscles and joints of the entire body, not just the spine. The chiropractic course is five years long, and covers subjects including orthopaedics, pathology, neurology, general diagnosis, rehabilitation, radiography, radiology (meaning that chiropractors are qualified to take and read X-rays), paediatrics, geriatrics and nutrition, allowing us to treat a large range of conditions, and to recognize those that need to be seen by a general practicioner or a different specialist.
Some of the conditions that can be treated with chiropractic are:
For more information or if you are uncertain about whether we can help you, feel free to call us at 023 80 210241.
How much time does it take to get better?
The time for recovery varies depending on - your age, the problem, the length of time you have had it, your profession, your lifestyle, any other underlying conditions and your own commitment to any rehabilitative exercises which the chiropractor may recommend.
CHIROPRACTIC DURING PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a very demanding time for the body, which is subjected to higher than normal stress due to the biomechanical changes caused by the growing baby. Moreover, during pregnancy, the body releases the hormone relaxin, whose function is to increase the elasticity of the ligaments so that the pelvis can accommodate the size of the fetus. However, this hormone also weakens all the other ligaments in the body, increasing the risk of joint misalignment and injury. The hormone stays in circulation for many weeks after delivery, meaning that the new mum is more prone to injury in this period as well.
While the action of relaxin can not be undone, chiropractic is very effective at alleviating back pain, rib pain and muscular tightness caused by the growing baby, reducing the biomechanical changes in the body.
Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy also ensures that the body is optimally balanced, favouring optimal positioning for the baby in utero. Excessive pelvic torsion or spinal misalighment may put the uterus off balance, making it more unlikely for the baby to lie in the ideal position to descend through the birth canal.
It should be noted that treatment during pregnancy is gentle and safe. Chiropractors use highly specialised procedures and techniques to alleviate the pain and discomfort that is so common during pregnancy. Special equipment like pregnancy pillows and blocks are used as well as gentle adjustments to the joints and soft tissue techniques for the muscles. Finally, chiropractic does not use drugs, which is particularly important during pregnancy since most of them can affect the baby through the placenta.
CHIROPRACTIC FOR THE BABY AND CHILD
Birth can be a traumatic process for the baby, particularly if it is prolonged or involves breech presentation or forceps delivery. At such a young age, the bones are still very moldable, and therefore the stresses placed on the skeleton can cause minor functional problems. For example, excessive pressure on the neck may result in torticollis ("stiff neck").
There is growing anecdotal evidence covering the succesfull use of chiropractic for these problems, but unfortunately still very little (albeit positive) literature on the topic. The treatment is therefore considered a trial, and usually as few as three sessions are enough to determine wether it will be successful or not. At this stage, the treatment is extremely gentle, mainly consisting of simple "touch and hold" technique, because even so little pressure, if appropriately placed, can free the joints from the excessive stress. Rest assured that this treatment is not painful.
As the child grows up, he starts to walk, run and fall, goes to school carrying heavy bags and participates in a variety of activities. These stresses and injuries can result in the tightening of muscles in the neck or back, causing the bones of the spine to lose their normal motion or alignment and irritating the nerves, in a similar way to adults. Once again, chiropractic can help to reduce the risk of this happening, or treat any resulting symptom.
WHAT IS HURTING?
On the pictures below, click on the area corresponding to where you feel the pain. A new window will open, briefly listing or describing the conditions most likely to be causing your symptoms
APPOINTMENTS
Weekday and evening appointments are available.
Please phone the clinic on 023 80 210241 to arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
CHIROPRACTORS
Gail Johnston BSc (Hons) MSc (Chiro) DC
