It is perfectly normal to feel nervous when seeing any new practitioner. Some patients even feel nervous when seeing a new GP. Many patients are anxious about the idea of having their back “cracked”, as that is their impression of what Chiropractors do. Before we do any form of treatment for your condition, we need to examine you and figure out what is happening in your system that may be contributing to your pain. Adjustments or manipulations are often indicated as a form of treatment for back and neck problems, but they are not the only treatment modality used by Chiropractors. If an adjustment is indicated, it is generally more comfortable than most people expect and the relief from painful symptoms is often very quick. There are occasions when some post-treatment soreness may occur but this usually settles within a day or two.

Chiropractors are actually trained to examine and care for all parts of the neuromusculoskeletal system, including shoulders, hips, knees, feet and everything in between! Some Chiropractors develop special interests and expertise in particular areas such as foot and gait evaluation or sports injuries or even treating babies for various common problems. Find out from your Chiropractor where their particular special interests lie.

Your first consultation will take approximately one hour. It is vital that we take a broad history of your symptoms and their triggers, which might be physical, postural and/or emotional and stress triggers. A large part of the first consultation will be spent discussing your problem, how it affects your daily life and understanding your goals for recovery. The examination will include numerous manual tests to evaluate the functioning of your nervous system, your muscles and their strength and weaknesses, how you move, and the range and quality of movement of your joints. Once we have a better idea as to what is going on in your system, we will discuss your treatment options and how your programme of care will move forward. Treatment programmes are not prescriptive but unique to your needs and evolve as your symptoms evolve. Your first treatment will usually take place in the first consultation.

We use a variety of different modalities as part of a treatment programme. These include Chiropractic adjustments or manipulation of restricted/dysfunctional joints of the spine (and often extremity joints too), soft tissue massage, manual trigger point therapy, dry needling using sterile Acupuncture needles, and taping. Not all techniques are used at each session, but rather where deemed appropriate. A large part of treatment and recovery is recognising triggers for pain and guiding patients in understanding how and what they can do at home and in the office or at school to manage their conditions. This includes ergonomic modification, postural exercises and stretches, rehabilitation exercises specific to the patient and guidance on the importance of general exercise as a means of preventing and managing flare ups. All forms of treatment including exercise advice are tailor made for the needs and goals of the patient.

Chiropractic care is covered by medical aid, however, we are contracted out of medical aids, so you will need to claim back from your medical aid after payment to us. Our fees are in line with medical aid rates. Orthotics are not covered by medical aid. Please contact the office for more information about this.

It depends. If the treatment programme is appropriate for the problem, we can see improvements in as little as four visits, but every patient and every complaint is different and as a result, it is difficult for predict how many visits are required. The truth is that flare ups of spinal pain are common and often require re-assessment and follow up care from time to time, but complying with a home programme and improving lifestyle factors for yourself can minimize your need for ongoing care.

No. Current scientific evidence is showing us that common “abnormalities” like degenerative change seen on X-ray and MRI form only a small part of the picture with regards to pain, especially spinal pain. Many people can become fearful that they have a serious condition if they have an MRI or X-ray too soon and it reports “degeneration”. Terms for structural changes in the spine and extremities can hinder their progress and often make them stop doing normal daily activities, for fear of making things worse. See your practitioner first to be examined. Based on your history and examination, your Chiropractor will send you for tests or imaging if it’s necessary, to rule out more serious issues, but most often this is not needed. In the case of a trauma such as a motor vehicle accident or fall, X-rays might be required to rule out fractures. If you are unsure as to whether to go for X-rays, please phone the office for more information.