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CLINICAL RESEARCH

  • What is chiropractic?
    Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the whole body. Treatment consists of a wide range of manual techniques designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm. Chiropractic does not involve the use of any drugs or surgery.
  • What do you do?
    Chiropractors specialise in treating conditions that involve joint, muscle, tendon, ligaments and nerve problems in all age groups, using manual treatment rather than drugs or surgery. We are experienced in not only spinal conditions but also aches and pains in the arms and legs and other conditions such as headaches.
  • Can you treat my problem?
    At Aligned for Life Chiropractic you will receive a thorough examination with treatment only being offered after an explanation of your diagnosis and with the belief that we can help you. If chiropractic treatment is not the solution to your problem we will refer you to the right practitioner.
  • Can I just turn up or do I need to see my GP first?
    Chiropractors are primary health care professionals so you can walk in straight off the street without a referral from your GP.
  • Will the treatment hurt?
    Chiropractic should not hurt. It is our aim to ensure that the treatment you receive is well tolerated. However, if you are already in a lot of pain then some parts of the examination and treatment may be a little achy. Once the majority of your symptoms have gone most patients become quite used to treatment and rarely notice any discomfort.
  • Am I too old/young?
    Chiropractic treatment is suitable for all age groups, young and old.
  • Are you qualified?
    Chiropractic is a government regulated profession with all practitioners having undergone a rigorous four or five year degree course. We are also required to undertake continuing professional development so you can be sure that we’re always up to date and offering the best evidence based treatment.
  • Can I use private medical insurance?
    Aligned for Life Chiropractic is recognised by all major insurance companies including Bupa, AXA PPP, Aviva, Cigna and Simply Health to name a few.
  • Can I get treatment on the NHS?
    Unfortunately chiropractic is not widely available within the NHS but we often work closely with local GP’s and hospital doctors.
  • Will I need an x-ray?
    There will be occasions when it is necessary to have an x-ray taken. However, MRI is becoming significantly cheaper and gives far superior results, without the need for radiation exposure and is often the preferred method of imaging. If an MRI or x-ray is needed we will refer you to the right place.
  • How long will it take to fix my problem?
    We are all individuals and recovery time will depend on a number of factors: The diagnosis, length of time you have had the problem, your age, general level of health and fitness and how much effort you put into doing what you have been advised to! Your practitioner will always try and give you an estimation of how long your problem will take to treat before commencing treatment. Completing the recommended course of treatment is essential to secure long term benefits.
  • What's the difference between a Chiropractor, Osteopath and Physiotherapist?
    We are often asked “what are the similarities and differences between chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists?” For the potential patient it is often difficult to know who to go and see. There are subtle differences between each profession even though we may be perceived to treat similar conditions. The similarities between each profession are: We are government regulated We are required to undertake continual professional development We treat musculoskeletal conditions – joints and muscles We aim to restore health through hands-on techniques rather than drugs and surgery Some typical differences are: Examination by a chiropractor focuses on how problems with the nervous system affect joint movement and muscle restriction. This is why we adjust joints, to ensure not only proper joint movement but also the restoration of nerve signalling. Chiropractors adjust joints more than manipulate. Adjustments free joint restriction and reinstates proper nerve signalling to the brain. Manipulations, which physiotherapists and osteopaths tend to do more of, provide a gentler and more generalised stretch of the joint and surrounding muscles but have limited affects on the nervous system. Chiropractors are trained to take and read x-rays and view MRI scans. Chiropractic is the longest course, typically being a 5 year full-time undergraduate masters degree course (with content similar to that of a medical degree).

Comparative effectiveness of spinal manipulation for sciatica


In 2006, Santilli et al reported that, compared with sham manipulation, active spinal manipulation is more effective at six months at relieving local or radiating pain in people with acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion. A recent network meta-analysis of the many different treatment strategies (Lewis et al, 2015) has now concluded that spinal manipulation is one of a number of interventions that provides significant improvement for sciatica compared to inactive control or conservative therapy. The other effective interventions include acupuncture, non-opioid analgesia, epidural injections and surgery. Note that an earlier cohort study demonstrated similar clinical effectiveness and a cost benefit of employing spinal manipulation as opposed to nerve root injections for patients with symptomatic MRI-confirmed lumbar disc herniation (Peterson et al, 2013).


References:
 

Lewis RA et al (2015) Comparative clinical effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and network meta-analyses. The Spine Journal 15, 1461–1477.
 

Peterson C et al (2013) Symptomatic magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed lumbar disc herniation patients: A comparative effectiveness prospective observational study of 2 age- and sex-matched cohorts treated with either high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulative therapy or imaging-guided lumbar nerve root injections. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics219, 36(4), 218-225.
 

Santilli V et al (2006) Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The Spine Journal 6, 131–137.

The Bronfort Report was published 25th February 2010 by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) to undertake a systematic review of the current research regarding chiropractic. The purpose of this was to ensure that Chiropractors were undertaking treatment that was evidence based and effective. The report can be accessed at: http://chiromt.com/content/18/1/3

Loghmani MT (PT, PhD, MTC); Warden SJ (PhD). Instrument-assisted cross fiber massage alters regional microvascular morphology in healing knee ligaments suggesting possible angiogenesis. APTA Combined Sections Meeting [platform presentation]. New Orleans (LA). 2011 Feb.
 

Looney B, Srokose T, Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Cleland J. Graston instrument soft tissue mobilization and home stretching for the management of plantar heel pain: a case series. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). 2011 Feb; 138-142.
 

Bayliss AJ, Klene FK, Gundeck EL, Loghmani MT. Treatment of a patient with post-natal chronic calf pain utilizing instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. APTA CSM [platform presentation]. 2010.
 

Loghmani MT. Instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage improves blood flow in healing knee ligaments suggesting enhanced angiogenesis. APTA CSM [orthopedic section platform presentation]. 2010.
 

Brantingham JW, Globe G, Jensen M, Cassa TK, Globe D, Price J, Mayer SN, Lee F. A feasibility study comparing two chiropractic protocols in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. JMPT. Sep 2009;32(7):536-548.
 

Loghmani MT, Warden SJ. Instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage accelerates knee ligament healing. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). 2009 Jul;39(7):506-514.

Loghmani MT, Kiesel J, Lassiter J, Taylor L, Beaman M, Grogg J, Streeter H, Warden SJ. Long-term effects of instrument-assisted cross-fiber massage on healing medial collateral ligaments. JOSPT. 2007 Jan;37(1): A18.

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Hayes D, Loghmani MT, Lubitz R, Moore E. A comparison of two instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques: effects on therapist discomfort/fatigue and treatment time. JOSPT. 2007 Jan;37(1): A17.
 

Burke J, Buchberger DJ, Carey-Loghmani MT, Dougherty PE, Greco DS, Dishman JD. A pilot study comparing two manual therapy interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). 2007 Jan;30(1):50-61.
 

Hammer WI, Pfefer, MT. Treatment of a case of subacute lumbar compartment syndrome using the Graston Technique. JMPT. 2005 Mar/Apr; 28(3):199-204.
 

Gehlsen GM, Ganion LR, Helfst R. Fibroblast response to variation in soft tissue mobilization pressure. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1999 Apr;31(4):531-535.1
 

Davidson CJ, Ganion LR, Gehlsen GM, Verhoestra B, Roepke JE, Sevier TL. Rat tendon morphologic and functional changes resulting from soft tissue mobilization. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1997 Mar;29(3):313-319.1
 

Hammer W. The use of transverse friction massage in the management of chronic bursitis of the hip and shoulder. JMPT. 1993 Feb;16(2):107-111.

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