FAQ's
Often, we still have some questions that we want answered, even before picking up the phone. Hopefully you will find the answers you are looking for in the FAQ section below. If not, just give us a call on 01348 875221 or drop us an email to info@winternhouse.co.uk
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, especially related to the spine. When there is misalignment of the spine, it can interfere with the nervous system which may lead to painful symptoms and mobility issues. The aim of the Chiropractor is to ensure that the joints are aligned and moving freely allowing the nerves to work at their optimum. Some problems of the musculoskeletal system can be caused by accidents, stress, lack of exercise, poor posture, illness and everyday wear and tear. These problems may cause pressure on the nerves in the body.
Using their hands, Chiropractors make gentle, specific, skilled adjustments (the Chiropractic word for manipulation) to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly thereby relieving pain and restoring nervous function, resulting in positive health benefits.
Although Chiropractors are best known for treating back and neck pain, patients also consult us regarding a wide range of other musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractors may use a variety of techniques other than manipulation, including soft tissue work, ice, heat, ultrasound, exercise and acupuncture as well as advice on posture and lifestyle.
Your Chiropractor is qualified to treat all ages and to adapt your treatment to account for other medical problems that you may have. Chiropractors are also trained to recognise when it is appropriate to refer for further investigations or treatment elsewhere if the condition falls outside their scope of practice.
A Chiropractor’s first concern is to find out what is wrong.
With Chiropractic care, not only do symptoms subside, people often report feeling:
- Relief from pain
- Increased movement and mobility
- Increased vitality
- More restful sleep
- Reduced tension
- Improved general well-being
An adjustment is something that is unique to Chiropractors. It can also be called a manipulation. Adjustments are highly specific and gentle thrusts into a restricted and misaligned joint. This restores the movement of the joint and removes any interference from the associated nerve. Often you may hear a ‘popping’ noise. This is a natural phenomenon of air being released in the joint and nothing to be concerned about.
No. Chiropractic is a regulated profession. It is illegal for anyone in the UK to use the title ‘Chiropractor’ or to imply that they are a Chiropractor unless they are registered with the statutory body the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). In common with medical practitioners and dentists, all Chiropractors are registered by law under the Chiropractors Act 1994 and the title ‘Chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation. The GCC sets the standards of education in Chiropractic and all Chiropractors must have graduated from an accredited institution before being accepted onto the Register. In order to maintain annual registration Chiropractors must continually update their skills through methods of continuing professional development (CPD). All Chiropractors must have insurance cover.
You will need to pay for your treatment unless you are covered by Private Medical Insurance (PMI) or a health cash plan or live in an area where there is NHS-funded Chiropractic care. Treatment through the NHS is not widely available at the moment, so it is a good idea to talk to your GP or Chiropractor to find out the situation in your area. If you have PMI, confirm with your provider that Chiropractic treatment is covered and tell the Chiropractor that this is how you will be paying for treatment. You will be required to pay for your care and a receipt will be issued to claim back form the insurance company.
This will depend on:
- your condition
- how severe it is
- how long you have had the condition
- how you respond to treatment
- how much of your chiropractor’s advice you follow
After your first examination and diagnosis, the number of follow-up visits will depend on your condition and the treatment you need. Your Chiropractor will review your progress regularly and you will be asked to give your consent to any changes to your treatment plan. They will discuss carrying out further investigations or referring you to your GP if your condition does not improve.
No, you do not need to let your GP know unless you want to. With your permission, your Chiropractor may send a report to your GP, with details of your condition and the treatment you are receiving. This is because your GP holds all your medical records, and it is in your interests for them to be complete and up to date.
No, generally Chiropractic treatment is usually painless unless an area is inflamed (swollen). In the acute stage of presentation, there may be some increased discomfort when your Chiropractor addresses the root cause of your pain. Don’t worry if you hear a clicking or popping noise when one of your joints is being manipulated – this is perfectly normal with this form of treatment. Some patients have mild reactions such as temporary aches and pains after their spine or joints have been manipulated or after exercising. It is important that you talk to your Chiropractor if you feel worried about anything either during or after treatment.
Appointments and booking in
At Fishguard Chiropractic Clinic, we pride ourselves on being thorough. This is why we rarely treat on the first visit as we believe it is important to examine fully, diagnose and create a treatment plan that suits your needs, based on your presentation and your goals. It is also extremely important to us that you understand what we have found, what we hope to do about it, how long this will take and how much it will cost before actively embarking on your Chiropractic journey. This takes time to prepare.
To book in as a new patient, we ask that you call us on 01348 875221 as we need to make sure that we have adequate time for the initial consultation. We also book your Report of Findings visit (the second visit) during this same phone call – this ensures that the second visit is scheduled as near as possible to the initial visit, not two weeks later! Currently, our online booking system does not allow for this. But we have also found that new patients feel much more at ease about visiting us after talking to our friendly and knowledgeable receptionists (p.s. we call them CAs – Chiropractic Assistants or Angels here!).
No problem! Our opening hours at Fishguard Chiropractic Clinic are 8.30am – 7pm Monday to Friday. We routinely schedule in a whole care plan for our patients so that they can attend the clinic on days and at times that suit them. In fact, scheduling appointments is highly recommended as preferred appointment times are often already reserved weeks ahead , so booking “as you go” often results in a lack of choice.
Cancel is not a word that we like – rescheduling is much more acceptable. The best results from Chiropractic care rely on commitment and consistency, just like training for a marathon or weight loss. So, if you need to rearrange an appointment, please try to book it in before your next scheduled appointment. If you find that your prescheduled appointments no longer work for you, let us know so that we are able to rearrange to more suitable times for you.
Yes, the beauty of our establishment at Wintern House is that it is often possible to attend the centre for more than Chiropractic care. For example, your Chiropractor may recommend that a massage would be beneficial. We do our very best to schedule your appointments close together, if this is your wish, saving you travel time and money.
What else...?
What else is available at Wintern House?
Goodness…where to begin!
At Wintern House, Fishguard Chiropractic Clinic is extremely lucky to work alongside a plethora of professional and experienced healthcare practitioners. This unique service offers the people of Pembrokeshire a hub of specialists passionate about the health and wellbeing of our community. Our motto is INSPIRE, EMPOWER and THRIVE and the support available at Wintern House truly allows you to take charge of your own health and wellbeing.
Services include Massage, Counselling, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Sports Therapy, Podiatry, Occupational therapy (hands), and more…
Why not take a look at our sister site www.winternhouse.co.uk
Cancellation Policy
At Fishguard Chiropractic Clinic we are always striving to make your Chiropractic experience as smooth and pleasant as possible. With the dawn of 2024, we have a tiny tweak in our policy that we’d like to share with you.
Starting January 2024, we’re introducing a cancellation policy that’s as flexible as your spine after a great adjustment.