What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is “a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health.” (World Health Organisation).

 

Chiropractic manages conditions related to:-

■        Joints

■        Ligaments

■        Tendons

■        Muscles

■        Nerves, especially related to the spine

(British Chiropractic Association).

 

The techniques used are gentle, effective and bespoke to each patient.

A combination of manual adjusting techniques and soft tissue work is used for most patients. Bethan is happy to see people of all ages from newborn to elderly, and from all walks of life. Although Chiropractors are best known for treating low back and neck pain, which research suggests they do very effectively, patients consult Chiropractors for a wide range of other conditions.

 

Chiropractors focus on the optimum functioning of the body and this involves giving advice regarding:-

■        Exercise

■        Diet

■        Lifestyle

■        Ice/heat therapy

■        General healthy living

■        Other therapies that may benefit the patient

 

Chiropractic was founded in America, in 1895 by D.D. Palmer.  It has since spread around the world and is now a well-established profession in many countries.  It comes from the Greek words: “chiro” meaning hand, and “praktikos” meaning to practice: loosely translated as “to do by hand”.

 

Bethan is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique and Medical Acupuncture / Dry Needling.

 

Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) is a technique concerned with the correction of disorders related to the spine, pelvis and cranial (skull)  bones.  The technique is very gentle and involves using light pressure to balance the relationship between the base of the spine (sacrum) and base of the skull (occiput). This technique can be used with patients of all ages.

 

Medical Acupuncture uses very thin needles to stimulate different parts of the body, primarily muscle fibers. Some Traditional Acupuncture points may be used but generally this type of needling is focussed on relieving muscle tension.

 

Bethan also uses several different soft tissue (massage) techniques including Trigger Point Therapy and muscle stripping when these are required.

 

These techniques are used/ combined within a session depending on each patient’s needs, they are not offered separately.