Chiropractic is a straightforward method of adjusting the bones of your body to maintain the correct alignment of your spine and to ensure that your body's nerve supply works efficiently. It seeks to eliminate the cause, not just treat symptoms, and through subtle adjustments, chiropractic care can relieve pain and discomfort, increase mobility and provide a route to better health.

Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae, the sacrum, and the coccyx. This column also houses the spinal cord through which nerve information is transmitted around the rest of your body.

Whilst the spinal column maintains correct alignment, nerve information is passed accurately. However, if any part of your spinal column becomes misaligned then a nerve may become impinged, compressed, or stretched, distorting the information that passes along it. This can lead to pain, discomfort, or restricted mobility.

Misalignment of the vertebrae or bones can occur for many reasons, such as incorrect lifting, car or sporting accidents, childbirth, falls, stress and poor posture, and these conditions will all worsen over time if not corrected.

McTimoney chiropractors use only their hands to make adjustments to the bones of your body. The key to the success of the adjustments is in the speed, dexterity and accuracy with which they are performed. For more information you can visit the McTimoney Chiropractic Association website.

What to Expect

At your first appointment, I will take a full case history, asking about your current symptoms, as well as details of your medical history. Some simple tests will be used to assess your general health, ie blood pressure, and to help diagnose your presenting problem. For instance, your reflexes may be tested and your joints moved through a range of motion.

You will be asked to undress down to your underwear and a gown is also provided for your comfort. Once we have discussed your treatment plan, the first treatment will be carried out.  This session will last approximately an hour and a half. 

The number of treatments needed varies from person to person, but most people will have three or four in the first month. The intervals between appointments are then spaced out more widely, and once the problem has been resolved, regular check-ups are recommended. Follow-up sessions last up to 45 minutes.