What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a natural treatment of the structure and alignment of the body.

The spine is a fundamentally structural part of the body but it also carries the main highway of nerves between the brain and the rest of the body. By making sure the spine moves correctly, chiropractic aims to improve communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This helps to put the body into a situation where its natural repair mechanisms can work more effectively.

The treatment involves mobilisation of joints and manipulation of muscles, tendons and tissues.

More than just pain relief

Most people think of chiropractors as back pain and neck pain specialists. However, chiropractors can also work on most joints in the body, not just the spine, from the jaw to shoulders, elbows, hands, fingertips, hips, knees and toes. And if pain is due to an injury or poor posture, an adjustment from a chiropractor can quickly relieve pain.

But there's more to it than just pain relief. The nervous system controls every function of the body, from walking and breathing to blinking and heartbeat, keeping us alive and healthy. Poor posture, injuries and even birth trauma can restrict the flow of nerve signals. Chiropractic can release these signals, allowing organs and limbs to function better. This can help relieve pain but also can lead to generally feeling better. The more balanced the body is, the better it copes with the physical and mental stresses of everyday life, as well as unexpected trauma.

Good health is not just the absence of pain or disease but is a state of emotional and mental well-being, feeling better able to cope physically and mentally. Given the chance, the body has wonderful abilities to heal itself, and it's this that chiropractic aims to maximise.

What is McTimoney Chiropractic?

This is a precise, whole body approach to chiropractic care. It uses quick, accurate adjustments using the hands with the minimum force necessary to mobilize joints, making it particularly suitable for people of all ages. McTimoney adjustments depend on high speed and a smaller contact area than most other chiropractic adjustments. Depending on the size of the joint, less thrust is usually needed so it may not lead to a popping sound at the joint.

McTimoney chiropractors strive for optimal health by treating the entire person and not just the painful area, in an attempt to find the true source of the problem rather than symptoms.

How can McTimoney chiropractic help you?

Chiropractic aims to optimise the body's natural healing ability and a wide range of ailments can be traced to structural misalignment of the body, in particular the spine. The following conditions can benefit from chiropractic care:

- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Pain, discomfort and stiffness in joints
- Postural changes due to driving, work or pregnancy
- Migraine
- Muscular aches
- Sports injuries
- Arthritic pain

Misalignments can occur for many reasons, such as incorrect lifting technique, accidents, falls, stress and poor posture. This can lead to many problems including pain, numbness, pins and needles, or restricted mobility.