What to expect on your first visit
In order to get an in depth understanding of what is going on for you, Inga will take a detailed health history and carry out a physical examination. Following that Inga will explain the findings and give options on how to address them.
In most cases you will receive an adjustment (chiropractic treatment) on your first visit.
However, some people will need to be referred for specialist testing first (like x-rays, ultrasound or blood tests) or they are referred to another health care professional.
You are welcome to ask questions at any time. You can also contact Inga in between visits if questions come up later on.
In most cases you will receive an adjustment (chiropractic treatment) on your first visit.
However, some people will need to be referred for specialist testing first (like x-rays, ultrasound or blood tests) or they are referred to another health care professional.
You are welcome to ask questions at any time. You can also contact Inga in between visits if questions come up later on.
Different Chiropractic Techniques
There are a number of different chiropractic techniques to suit different people:
Which technique or techniques are used will depend on the circumstances and your preferences.
All of these options will be explained to you in more detail at the time.
Apart from the above:
- chiropractic adjustments are often performed by hand
- adjusting tools can be used, like an activator or integrator
- a specialist drop table can be utilised
- blocks (wedges) might be placed under your pelvis if indicated
- a very light touch can be applied: Network Spinal Analysis (NSA)
- for babies a touch and hold technique is used, which uses only very light touch
Which technique or techniques are used will depend on the circumstances and your preferences.
All of these options will be explained to you in more detail at the time.
Apart from the above:
- cranial sacral therapy can be added
- trigger points and tight muscles can be addressed
- breathing techniques are sometimes recommended
Holistic Care
It is important to look at the whole person and not just at the area of pain:
- because the cause of the pain can lie somewhere else
- one area of the body can affect other areas of the body - For example your body might avoid certain movements due to an injury and other parts of your body now have to compensate for that. This can lead to problems over time if it is not addressed.
- some areas of your body might not be painful, however they might not be functioning optimally
- in order to optimise outcomes, it is best to look at you as a whole person including the environment you are living in
Additional Services
Depending on you, your health and your personal goals:
- postural, lifting and ergonomic advice can be given
- lifestyle factors can be discussed, including stress and sleep
- specific exercises might be beneficial
- nutritional advice may be given and supplements can be recommended if needed
- specialist testing can be also utilised
Chiropractic Care for Babies and Children
Chiropractic care can start from birth. As the birth process is not always easy, you might choose to get your baby's spine checked.
The examination and chiropractic technique used are different to that for an adult. For babies only very light finger contact will be used. |
Pregnancy Care
As the body of the pregnant woman changes, discomfort might sometimes appear and/or the pelvic alignment could get out of balance.
The specialist chiropractic bench can be adjusted to accommodate the growing belly, in most cases right up to giving birth. This means that your back can still be checked while you are lying on your front. If that is not comfortable you can also sit up. |
Research
There have been some really exciting developments within chiropractic research over recent years.
Please note that as with any research there are limitations and further research is required in the areas mentioned above.
More research findings will be added over time. You can find a reference list below.
- A research study from 2016 by Kelly Holt et al investigated whether 12 weeks of chiropractic care was effective in improving sensorimotor function associated with the risk of falling in older adults. It was concluded that there was an improvement in the group that receiving chiropractic care as compared to the control group. [1]
- According to a review by Haavik and Murphy there is a growing body of research on the effects of spinal manipulation on the brain. Chiropractic adjustments can help the brain to more accurately perceive what is happening in and around your body (neuroplastic changes). [2]
- In a study by Weigel et al the findings suggested that chiropractic care for uncomplicated back conditions had a protective effect against declines in daily living activities and showed improvements in self-rated health in older adults. [3]
Please note that as with any research there are limitations and further research is required in the areas mentioned above.
More research findings will be added over time. You can find a reference list below.
Reference List
[1] Effectiveness of chiropractic care to improve sensorimotor function associated with falls risk in older people: a randomized controlled trial. Holt, K. R., Haavik, H., Lee, A. C. L., Murphy, B., & Elley, C. R. (2016) Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics 39(4), 267-278
[2] The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integreation and altered motor control. Haavik H., Murphy B. (2012) J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2012 Oct, 22(5): 768-776
[3] The comparative effect of chiropractic and medical teratment on the health of older adults. Weigel P.A. et al (2014), J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2014 Mar-Apr, 37 (3): 143-154.
[1] Effectiveness of chiropractic care to improve sensorimotor function associated with falls risk in older people: a randomized controlled trial. Holt, K. R., Haavik, H., Lee, A. C. L., Murphy, B., & Elley, C. R. (2016) Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics 39(4), 267-278
[2] The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integreation and altered motor control. Haavik H., Murphy B. (2012) J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2012 Oct, 22(5): 768-776
[3] The comparative effect of chiropractic and medical teratment on the health of older adults. Weigel P.A. et al (2014), J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2014 Mar-Apr, 37 (3): 143-154.