Do Chiropractors only treat back pain?
No. Chiropractors deal with conditions of the musculoskeletal system in other words all joints within the human body and how malfunction of the joints can put pressure on the nervous system and effect the day to day running of our bodies. However, the majority of people who consult us tend to do so for problems arising from back and neck pain.
From what age to what age can you have chiropractic treatment?
From day one of life to one hundred years. I run what I call a "Family Practice". that means Adults , young adults, children and babies are seen. Apart from my qualification as a Doctor of Chiropractic, I also have a special interest in Paediatrics and treat many babies and children, especially those who have experienced a traumatic birth process.
Is it true that you often cure patients without the need for drugs and that even your very acute patients with long standing complaints very rarely require surgery?
Sure. It is part of Chiropractic philosophy not to use drugs if at all possible so as to avoid masking the patient’s symptoms. Very often it is possible to resolve problems noninvasively although drugs definitely do have a limited role in the process. Surgical operations particularly on the spine should be the last resort.
What are the commonest conditions that require your treatment and how long does treatment take: weeks, months, years?
Back pain, neck pain, chronic headaches, frozen shoulder, Tennis elbow injuries from road traffic accidents and “Slipped discs”. Even functional problems that started 30, 40 or even 50 years ago can still make a very good recovery but may require a slightly extended period of treatment but rarely longer than a few weeks. They are often cases where rehabilitation is done with gentle manipulation and the help exercise and small changes in diet and or lifestyle.
Do more women or men have the joint problems? And to what is their average age?
Statistically, the division between men and women is about the same and joint problems can happen at any age.
It true that you can treat sports injuries and sometimes even improve professional sportsmen and women’s performance? (What kind of sport)
Through my time working with professional footballers, tennis players, equestrian teams and polo players in Italy, I discovered that a functional analysis of an individual sport means that it is possible to safely optimize muscle activity needed to perform the sport. This obviously applies to all sports.
Today, many children and adults spend hours sitting in front of computers. Does modern technology cause any long-term problems?
Yes it does. I believe that there must be a work-life balance. Apart from good diet and de-stressing regularly, it is vitally important that all children and adults do some form of physical activity to compensate for all the time they spend sitting in front of computers and televisions.
What advice can you give to keep fit, protect your joints and spine?
Exercise is important at any age. Walking swinging your arms and breathing deeply for about twenty minutes a day will not only help the joints but also help bone strength, circulation and even help to decrease stress and mild depression.
Does footwear effect our posture and if so how?
Indeed it does. Since our feet were made for walking barefoot on uneven ground, and this does not happen anymore, it is very important for the shoe to fit properly and give support to the foot by means of a good, solid construction. This is even more important in children’s growing feet.
What advice do you suggest for a healthy lifestyle?
Avoid stress or if you cant avoid it, at least take action to decrease your stress levels as much as possible. To do this, my advice is to perform half an hour of exercise every day. Regular exercise is known to help to decrease stress levels and increase the body’s production of Seratonin (the happiness hormone). Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and have regular check ups with your Chiropractor.
Why should we have regular check ups with a Chiropractor if we are not in pain?
OK, let me answer that by turning the tables and asking YOU something. Why do you go to the Dentist every six months?
Why do you service your car every year or 10,000 miles?
So that it works properly and doesn’t break down. Right?
If at your dental checkup the dentist finds that you have tooth decay, they can drill and fill the tooth before it gets to the point where it needs extracting. But, if you were to leave it until the tooth breaks or you get an abscess, they can still extract it and give you a false tooth or crown.
If the mechanic finds something wrong with your car, they can usually repair the small problem easily and cheaply.
But if you leave the car until it breaks, then they may have to get you a new engine. Either way, repair is possible.
You are born with one spine and one set of joints, most of which have to last you for your whole life. They are unchangeable so they should be looked after and have regular four monthly check-ups so that any small problems can be treated and resolved before they become big painful problems that will inevitable impact on your life possibly for the rest of your life.
Suffolk Back Pain Clinic
Tel: 01473 828478
14 Woolner Close
Hadleigh
Ipswich
IP7 5SX
Providing the best care for patients in Hadleigh, Ipswich and surrounding areas.