Well4ever Clinic Putney

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors assess the motion of all spinal and limb joints and assess how this affects the ligaments, muscles and nerves around these joints. They take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. This means they consider symptoms in the context of a full medical history, the patient’s lifestyle and personal circumstances. Chiropractors aim to treat the cause of complaints rather than the symptoms. Chiropractic care does not involve drugs or surgery.

Conditions

Our Chiropractors primarily treat:

Back pain

Sciatica

Neck pain

Whiplash

Tension Headaches & Migraines

Jaw problems

Shoulder problems

Tennis elbow

Carpal tunnel

Wrist and hand pains

Hip and knee problems

Ankle & foot problems

Sports injuries

Sports performance enhancement

Work related injuries

Posture

Children and infants:

Excessive crying, infantile colic

Sleeping problems

Developmental checks

Posture checks

Back and other joint/muscle pains

Treatment

Chiropractic treatment usually involves manipulation of spinal and limb joints to restore normal motion. Also, a variety of soft tissue techniques may be used to reduce spasm, tightness and pain in the surrounding muscles. Patients with neurological complaints may receive nerve gliding and joint distraction therapy.

Patients may receive advice on posture, diet, exercise, ergonomics, how to maintain a healthy spine and possibly activity changes.

Florentien strives to get patients more actively involved in their treatment process by prescribing specific exercises to improve posture, reduce muscle imbalances, decrease the risk of recurrence and enhance activity performance. In order to achieve this, Florentien offers 1 on 1 rehabilitation sessions to guide patients through these exercises.

What happens on your chiropractic first visit?

After making an appointment, please come in 10min early to fill in a few relevant forms. Your chiropractor will meet you in reception and take you to a private office to take your full health history (this includes questions about your general health, family history, medical history, and any previous accidents or injuries). For the physical examination, you will be asked to undress to your underwear and will be provided with a gown. Your chiropractor will then perform various chiropractic, orthopaedic, neurological and functional tests as well as testing the movement of the spine and joints. If your chiropractor believes x-rays are required, you will be referred to a nearby x-ray facility. The chiropractor will then treat you based on the findings obtained. This initial visit usually takes around 60 min. On your second visit the chiropractor will discuss the findings with you in detail, and discuss a treatment plan based on these findings.

What is an adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment (also known as a spinal manipulation) is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is not moving properly. The purpose of this safe procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function, reduce muscle spasm and increase overall wellbeing.

Does the adjustment hurt?

A chiropractic adjustment does not normally hurt, although there may be some minor discomfort which quickly passes. Follow-up treatments are usually very pleasant as symptoms improve.

What is that cracking/popping sound?

Adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal "release," or "popping" sound. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. The chiropractor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Is chiropractic safe?

The therapies employed by chiropractors carry far fewer risks than other possible treatment options. Very rarely, manipulation of the neck has been linked with strokes, although research has not proved this and has shown that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment available for certain conditions. Please ask the chiropractor to discuss any concerns you may have.

For whom is chiropractic suitable?

The strength of chiropractic is that it can help prevent discomfort and pain, and is suitable for everyone, including newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. It is entirely appropriate to visit a chiropractor even if you have no pain, as restrictions in movement can often be detected before symptoms appear.

How many visits will I need?

This will depend on:

your condition

how severe it is

how long you have had the condition

how you respond to treatment

how much of your chiropractor’s advice you follow

Your chiropractor needs to perform a thorough examination before she can specify a certain number of treatments. A detailed account of your treatment plan will be given on the second visit.

Your treatment plan will be reviewed very regularly and you will be asked to give your consent to any changes to your treatment plan.

What is Supportive care?

Once you are pain free and normal function has returned, your chiropractor may recommend following a supportive care program. The purpose of supportive care is to keep your spine healthy and to avoid recurrence of your problem. Just as you go to the dentist for regular check-ups, having your spine checked is as important, if not more so.

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well4ever clinic putney, 20 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1JP 0208-789-4362 www.well4ever.com