What is chiropractic?

Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and injuries effecting the joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons of the whole body and especially within the spine.

Chiropractic (meaning done by hand) is a primary health care profession and addresses these issues via non-invasive techniques (i.e. without the use of drugs or surgery).

Pain as well as other symptoms can often be the result of a problem with the alignment or movement of one or more joints within the body, notably the spine. Misalignment or restricted motion can cause local swelling, pressure on surrounding nerves and trigger painful muscle spasms. It can also cause huge restriction in your movement and limit your normal daily activities.

Prolonged misalignment and restriction of joints can result in increased wear and tear of the joint structures leading to problems such as arthritis and disc herniation or injury.

Chiropractors are highly trained to locate these areas of misalignment and restriction and to correct normal movement and alignment. This is normally done through the use of adjustments or manipulation to the effected joint in combination with other treatment techniques such as muscle release massage, dynamic stretching, rehabilitation exercises, heat, ice and lifestyle advice such as nutritional recommendations.

Restoring normal movement and alignment allows the body to heal itself and as your physiology returns to normal, swelling and muscle spasm reduce, pain improves and mobility improves.
Chiropractic treatment is very safe and works on resolving the cause of the problem rather than just masking the symptoms (as is the case when using pain killers).