Why can Chiropractors vary so much in their approach?
Most people love seeing a Chiropractor, while others, less so. From this latter group, a common story I hear is that they have visited one before but it didn’t help, or they were rushed in and out, and they didn’t enjoy the experience. The reason for this is usually because Chiropractors can vary so greatly in their approach and the techniques they use, and so it can sometimes take a few attempts to find the right Chiropractor for you. Unfortunately some people visit a Chiropractor once and if they’re not the right fit for the, they don’t try another and believe Chiropractic is not for them.
The principle behind Chiropractic is the same for all practitioners, i.e. balancing the structural parts of the body, allows everything to function better, move more freely and efficiently and the body is more resilient to the challenges we put it under. It also has the effect of reducing any pressure and interference to the nerves (especially at joints and along the spine) and if the nervous system is functioning with minimal interference then the body overall is functioning optimally.
Chiropractors all study the same techniques and theory at University, studying for 5 years to obtain a Masters degree. Subjects include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Radiology, Neurology, Biomechanics, Skills (manual adjustments), Orthopedic testing amongst others. The difference comes about from the extra studies we do after we leave Uni. We all are required to do further ongoing study and so we attend seminars each year, and these seminars can vary hugely. We may choose some that help refresh the knowledge and techniques learnt at Uni, or others that are completely new techniques or systems of treatment, and there are many in between. As there are very many different techniques, a Chiropractors way of treating may have diverted a little from the way they treated straight out of Uni, or diverted a great deal.
So potentially a Chiropractic session could vary in length from 5 min to 30 min. It could involve a few manual adjustments, it could involve gentle flicking type adjustments, or adjustments involving an activator (or ‘clicker’ or ‘gun’). It might involve some massage, or a few muscle releases, or no muscle techniques at all. It could even involve looking at other aspects of your physiology such as your breathing, or your stress levels or your work posture. You may be given exercises or stretches to do between session, or none at all. At Health In The Bay, appointments usually last 20 minutes, with a number of adjustments (either manual, activator or a combination) and usually some muscle releases as well.
So it’s easy to see that sometimes finding the right Chiropractor for you can take a bit of time, and sometimes research, and often the best way is through a personal recommendation. So if you love seeing your Chiropractor, spread the word and help others find the Chiropractor to help them.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a gentle and safe complementary health care system that is effective in helping reduce muscle and joint aches and pains. The role of a Chiropractor is to balance and realign the physical/structural components of our bodies (ie the muscles and the bones/joints). If these are balanced and positioned as they should be then our body is functioning most efficiently and ergonomically. More…
Martina Hambly
With over 15 years experience as a Chiropractor, I have acquired knowledge of and use a unique combination of techniques to achieve not only a reduction of symptoms, but also long lasting changes and overall health and wellbeing. More…