Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints and muscles.

The brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves form the nervous system can be likened to an electrical system. It's job is to take signals from and to all parts of the body. The spinal cord is housed in the spinal column for protection. Each segment of the spinal column is designed to move freely. If for some reason, one or more segments stop moving properly (often due to day to day lifestyles or postural activities), the joints can become inflamed, and the nerves can become irritated. This can lead to pain and dysfunction.

Chiropractors treat a wide variety of ailments affecting all parts of the body. Some of the more common problems seen in a chiropractic clinic include:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder, arm wrist and hand problems
• Back pain, sciatica
• Hip, leg, knee, ankle and foot problems
• Sports injuries

The profession has statutory regulation through the General Chiropractic Council (GCC); it is illegal to practice as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC.

Why does my back go wrong?

The human spine can be likened to a ship’s mast. It has “stays” at the front, back and sides to provide balanced support. These “stays” are our stomach, side and back muscles. Unlike a ship’s mast, however, the spine is jointed throughout its length into small segments, like a column of bricks.

Very sophisticated systems of muscle activity, controlled via the nervous system, co- ordinate smooth spinal movement, until of course, we do something awkwardly, like tripping over. In a healthy joint, the shock wave is absorbed as a ripple, a bit like boats riding at anchor as the waves rock them. However in a stiff or previously strained spinal joint the shock wave is not absorbed as well and damage or a tear at a weak spinal link may occur.

The joint will then become inflamed for a while. The soreness/ache (from muscle spasm) will gradually pass and you will feel fine again. However the joint will remain slightly stiffer than it previously was (possibly due to formation of scar tissue) and this area of stiffness becomes the core of future back problems.

Now imagine this process is repeated year after year. Eventually, your whole back stiffens up quite markedly and even simple activities like bending over a wash basin can trigger severe back or neck pain.

Unfortunately, it is at this late stage when most people seek help, because their ache has turned into a pain and the pain is getting worse! Not only does the therapist have to sort out the current injury but will have try to find the old injuries and restore them to good health to before the whole problem is resolved.

Acute Pain Action
Top Tips

• Pain is a warning sign – do not ignore it
• Make small, but frequent changes in your sitting or standing position
• Don’t work too long in one position- take a break
• Do not sit, stoop or bend for prolonged periods
• Never bend when you can kneel or squat
• If you have back pain, do not stay in bed for prolonged periods – bed rest can slow recovery – movement is good.

When in pain, use an ice pack, not heat, to reduce inflammation. Apply to affected area for 15-20 mins, ensure you have a medium between your skin and the ice; i.e. a tea towel or pillow slip. Follow this with gentle pain free movements to ease the area of discomfort. Reapply the ice every 2 hours or so.

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs, in the short term, can help reduce the inflammation alongside the ice treatment. Do not exceed recommended dose.

Remember!!! Gentle activity and movement helps to ease discomfort