Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below a list of our most frequently asked questions. If there’s something you’d like to know that isn’t on the list, do drop us an email now.
What’s the difference between chiropractic, physiotherapy and osteopathy?
Chiropractic, physiotherapy and osteopathy are all concerned with the improvement of health and function of their clients. All three disciplines differ mostly on fundamental principles rather than the methods of treatment provided.
Physiotherapy is focused mostly on the diagnosis of symptoms and the rehabilitation of dysfunction, injury or illness in the human body. The modality of therapy includes many different forms of treatment that are applied to the body from the outside to assist it to repair. Treatments range from mechanical devices like ultrasound and cryotherapy to massage and stretches.
Osteopathy also concerns itself with the diagnosis of symptoms, with more a focus on the whole individual and the causing factors for the symptoms. The osteopath’s mode of therapy is often massage and other soft tissue techniques aimed at improving the flow of blood to the muscles and functional tissues. According to Osteopathy, an increase in circulation is the key factor to the healing and repair of the body. As a chiropractor my guiding principle is to allow the optimal expression of health and function of the body from the inside out.
A chiropractor’s aim is to diagnose the areas of dysfunction in the spine and nervous system and address the cause of the individual’s symptoms. Chiropractic deals mainly with nervous system function because our nervous system interprets our world and dictates our reality. A nervous system free from structural and functional interference allows for the optimum expression of life. The method of a chiropractor is to adjust the spine into its correct structural and functioning position using our hands to make the correction.
How much education do chiropractors have? Are they real doctors?
In order to become a chiropractor, you have to study for 5-6 years at University. At the end of which you will receive either a double Bachelor of Science or Master’s Degree in chiropractic/science. Many of the chiropractors then start specialising into a field or area they are very interested in.
Chiropractors are fully trained in diagnosing patients, taking and reading x-rays, working out treatment protocols etc. We are called Doctors of Chiropractic because in the USA traditionally (and even now) this was the degree received after university, not to be confused with a medical doctor.
Do I need to be referred by my GP?
No, you do not need to be referred to us by your GP. However, if you have private health insurance you would like to use to cover your chiropractic care, you may be required by your insurer to obtain a letter from your GP before seeing us.
Will I hear my bones 'crack'?
When you are adjusted, depending on the technique used, you may hear a popping or cracking sound. This noise is simply a release of gas when the joint is moved, like cracking your knuckles - don’t worry, it’s not your bones breaking! If you are still uncomfortable with hearing the cracking noise, there are a number of alternatives that can be made to the adjustment that don’t involve anything getting ‘cracked’.
How many treatments will I need?
This is a very tricky question to answer as it’s not a one size fits all situation, it will totally vary from patient to patient. Your presenting complaint, health, lifestyle habits and how well you have looked after yourself over the course of your life will all be factors to consider.
Some people come to chiropractic to help them get out of pain quickly. This usually doesn’t take too long. However, a lot of people utilise chiropractic as part of their ongoing wellness and as a preventative for future potential damage. It is much easier and more beneficial for the body to maintain wellbeing rather than to try and fix it when something goes wrong.
Your chiropractor will give you a schedule of recommended care but it is always your decision as to how long you wish to benefit from chiropractic care.
Will I need to have x-rays?
Your chiropractor may recommend that you have x-rays taken so they can get a more in-depth view of what is going on. We have x-ray machines at our Putney, Kew and Marylebone clinics and if your clinic does not offer x-rays, your chiropractor can refer you to one of these clinics to have them taken.
How do the packages of adjustments work?
The packages are a great way to lower the cost of your individual adjustments. By paying up front you save on each adjustment, the front desk team will add the package to your account and each time they’ll take one credit off your account.
If I want to see a different chiropractor, can I switch?
No problem at all, chiropractic is all about being comfortable in the hands looking after you. All chiropractors have varying techniques so if you feel you want to try someone new, just let the front desk know. We also encourage feedback of any nature, so please don’t be afraid to let us know your thoughts.
I’m moving house, can I switch to another clinic?
Of course, just let the front desk know and they can move your notes and any remaining credit to your new Chiro.London clinic. We currently have clinics in Putney, Fulham, Tooting, Marylebone and Kew.
Alternatively, if you are moving too far away from our clinics, we can of course provide you with your care notes and reports (after completing a release form) so you can continue your chiropractic care elsewhere. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you need a recommendation for another clinic - chiropractors are a pretty social bunch!
Is there anything I can do after each adjustment to help make it more effective?
As a rule, it's best to get moving a bit after an adjustment. Some light exercise, gentle stretching or even a short walk can be very helpful in allowing the body to make the most of an adjustment. Think of it this way, if the adjustment gets your body moving better, then it's your job to keep it moving. Definitely try to avoid sitting down for too long immediately after an adjustment.
On the same day as an adjustment, it is also a good idea to relax a bit and de-stress if you can, to eat well and drink plenty of water, and to get a good night's sleep.
If I have a flare up, what should I do to alleviate any symptoms until I can get in?
Drink lots of water to help flush out toxins.
Keep moving - even just walking - as it prevents muscles from going back into spasm.
Take some turmeric, either as a fresh root or dried form, as it has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties and can help your body heal faster.
Use an ice pack where it is sore. Wrap it in a tea towel and put it on for a few minutes and keep it off for about 20-30 minutes.
If you sleep on your side, sleep with a pillow between your knees to prevent rotation from occurring in the lower back. If you sleep on your back, put a thin pillow under your knees to bend them a bit – this will help to release tension in the lower back.
Should I use hot or cold to ease pain from a flare-up?
We would suggest cold, as a flare-up is normally very acute. With that comes muscle spasms, heat (inflammation), swelling and pain. The cold will numb the pain, tell the muscles to relax a bit, cool the hot area and limit the inflammation.
Applying heat will not cause damage, but it will encourage more inflammation to occur. While it may also relax the muscles a bit, it will generally not tackle the pain as well as the cold.
Can chiropractic help with headaches?
The majority of headaches we see in clinic are associated with muscle tension in the neck. This is because, more than ever, we are engaging in sedentary activities, such as prolonged sitting at a desk, using our phones and watching TV on the couch. These activities cause us to spend prolonged periods of time in a fixed position or posture, which places a lot of pressure on the upper neck and back.
Think of the head as a bowling ball, as it is a similar weight. If that bowling ball is held close to the body, you will be able to hold it for a longer period of time than if you were to hold it out in front of you, as gravity will naturally act against ball. Moving back to the body, all the muscles in your neck, shoulders, back etc. all have to work extra hard to maintain your head position, and there is an increase in muscle and joint tension and subsequent headaches.
What chiropractic does is to find the joint and muscle tension within the neck and upper back and promote proper movement through adjustments, exercises and stretches, which in turn leads to reduction in joint and muscle tension and therefore severity and duration of headaches.
Is it safe to have chiropractic when pregnant?
Of course! Chiropractic care is extremely safe to get whilst you are pregnant. All chiropractors are trained in working with pregnant mothers, and we have specific techniques that ensure that they are comfortable throughout their pregnancy, especially as they get bigger! Pregnancy can tough on the body’s skeletal structure, especially as baby grows and gets heavier. Chiropractic is fantastic at helping to keep the spine moving well and in alignment. It also helps with better positioning for the baby. Having your spine checked by a chiropractor helps to ensure that your pelvis is sitting correctly to allow optimum room for your baby to grow and move. Chiropractic care whilst pregnant has also been shown to shorten labour time. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy, visit our pregnancy page.
How do babies benefit from chiropractic?
Birth is a wonderful, natural and incredibly special time for mothers and babies, as well as family and loved ones. However, even the most natural births can place a considerable amount of stress on the tiny body of a newborn. One could argue the most important time in your life to be adjusted is straight after birth, to ensure the foundation for neurological development is optimal. Chiropractors have a multitude of gentle and effective techniques to nurture your baby through the most critical developmental phases of life.
How can children benefit from chiropractic?
Remember, kids are really just little humans, with all the same moving parts and subject to the very same rules of good health. Kids are no less susceptible to stress, injury or illness, and their little bodies need just as much help as adult bodies to keep healthy and perform well. In fact, probably more so when we consider the fact that kids are constantly growing.
Keeping young bodies moving well, functioning well, and in good alignment and balance is absolutely critical during their growth years and at all stages of their development. Moreover, kids these days are under a whole lot more stress than they ever used to be, especially from postural and lifestyle factors. It is often the small issues ignored in childhood that manifest as more troublesome health problems later in life. So it really does make sense to get kids checked regularly to prevent issues from developing and to ensure your kids are functioning at their very best.
Chiropractic for kids is a safe, gentle and effective way to do this. It will also help their immune systems to function better, because when it comes to colds, flus, infections and illnesses, kids' immune systems have greater exposure and less experience. As a rule, we recommend kids be checked about once a month. However, even sooner (straight away) if they complain of any ache, pain or symptom.
Can chiropractic be beneficial if I have arthritis or osteoporosis?
We see a lot of client with arthritis, which is essentially wear and tear of joints. Like most things in life, if something doesn't move smoothly for long enough, it'll start to wear out - spines are no different. By restoring better fuction and movement to a damaged joint, symptoms usually improve or even resolve completely.
Osteoporosis is a little different - it's when the density of the bones decreases. X-rays aren't a great diagnostic tool for this as there needs to be about 30% reduction of bone density before it might show on x-rays, therefore a specific bone density scan is generally required. Interestingly, osteoporosis itself doesn't really cause any symptoms but can predispose to fractures that obviously do. Many clients present with osteoporosis and still benefit from having a spine that moves better - we just might need to adapt our adjusting style to suit them.
Can chiropractic help me with knee, ankle, elbow or shoulder issues?
Absolutely. Although chiropractors are best known for their expertise in dealing with problems of the spine and nervous system, they are actually highly trained and knowledgeable in the assessment and treatment of any joint and its surrounding structures. This includes everything from taking x-rays, clinical testing, to advanced methods of treatment and rehabilitation for any painful or injured joint. Hips, knees, ankles, feet, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, even your jaw - we can help!
In many cases, an extremity joint may be having difficulty because of a functional problem above or below, or in the spinal region connected to or controlling that joint. Chiropractors are great at connecting the dots and determining what needs to be done to fix the entire problem; to alleviate the painful joint, while restoring normal function and balance to all the joints above and below that work together to make your body perform properly.
Can chiropractic help my sports performance?
Athletes and sportspeople are some of the most frequent visitors to a chiropractic clinic. Despite being incredibly fit and functional, these super sporty humans tend to be very 'in tune' with their body, and become acutely aware when something isn't moving the way it should.
Chiropractic care encourages optimal communication between body and brain, increasing the potential for correct muscle activation and endurance. Studies have shown that chiropractic care can increase muscle reaction time, and we also know a functional spine will allow for symmetrical tone in the musculature through the spine and extremities. This is very important in sport, and we commonly see improvements in speed, coordination and strength (not only in athletes but in people of all ages and abilities!).
Notorious athletes who receive care include Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Rhonda Rousey and Andy and Jamie Murray.
Is it safe to get adjusted before going to the gym or working out?
It really comes down to personal preference and on how you react to adjustments. If you are someone who feels “spacey” or a bit “knocked out” after an adjustment, this is a sign of a strong parasympathetic response to the adjustment. If this happens to you, it is probably better to go to the gym before getting adjusted and let the parasympathetic state aid recovery.
However, others may feel they have more energy after getting adjusted, so seeing your chiropractor before exercising could be beneficial as you will be loading joints during your workout and the adjustment will improve their movement pattern.
I’ve heard people see their chiropractor even when they are not in pain, why is this?
In the same way we go to the dentist/hygienist to get our teeth checked on a regular basis to maintain the health of our teeth and gums, going to visit your chiropractor for a tune-up helps to maintain optimal function of your spine and nervous system. Pain is not a good indicator for how well the nervous system is working - things can be brewing before the pain kicks in and that’s when we can help you the most, in a preventative measure rather than reactive.
Is massage a good idea to complement my chiropractic care? Should I have it before or after an adjustment?
For some people, a combination of massage and chiropractic care can be of huge benefit to encourage tissue health and healing. As for when you should have a massage, our answer is usually “Either!” - it depends on your personal preference.
Getting a massage before your adjustment can help put your body in a more relaxed state, which is great if you feel guarded physically. Conversely, getting adjusted before a massage helps loosen up your muscles, as mobilising the spine helps the muscles relax.
We’d also suggest if you’re new to either chiropractic or massage, to start with the familiar treatment before having the other.
I have a long-haul flight coming up, when is the best time to get adjusted?
If you can get adjusted before you leave or when you come back, both will be beneficial. If you have an adjustment beforehand, your body should be in a better position to take on board the stress of having long periods of being stuck in one position, the emotional stress of flying and the big changes in the ear from depressurisation. The nervous system is under stress, especially when the body is forced into one position for long periods, so I believe an adjustment after long-haul travel is also highly beneficial.
I hear there are heaps of chiropractic techniques, which is the best?
The short answer is, whichever one feels and works best for you. Every body is different and, therefore, everybody responds differently to different techniques. There is no one technique that is the best as the intention is always the same: to create space and capacity for the body to do its job in the most efficient and effective way, to reduce physiological and neurological stress within the body, and to promote natural healing and health. It is also important to note that most chiropractors practise using a combination of techniques.