Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic
Why chose Homewood Chiropractic?
Established reputation
Homewood Chiropractic has been established in Fareham for over 50 years. Over this time, we have built up an unprecedented reputation in the local area and community. Over 60% of our new patients arrive to see us via personal recommendation from friends, colleagues and family, a great compliment to us.
A friendly practice
We have four chiropractors here at Homewood (two male and two female) supported by a fully trained reception staff, all of whom work hard to make you feel comfortable and at ease as soon as you enter our clinic.
We pride ourselves on treating each patient as an individual and no two care programmes are exactly alike. We will do our utmost to respect your needs or requirements at all times.
Meeting patient expectations
Homewood Chiropractic has received a ‘Patient partnership Quality Mark’ award, which is independently awarded by the College of Chiropractors to practices which meet strict quality criteria devised from criteria patients cite as important.
We also regularly carry out in-house quality reviews and satisfaction surveys, gathering and acting upon feedback from our patients.
A one-stop solution
We offer a range of chiropractic techniques in our treatments, manipulative and non-manipulative, selected dependant on your individual case. We use laser, dry needling (Western acupuncture), ultrasound, computerised prescription orthotics, therapeutic massage, reflexology and homeopathy as well as personally tailored exercise programmes to get the best results. All of this is offered in-house. We are also able to refer patients onwards to a full spectrum of specialist consultants should your case require care or investigation outside of our realm of expertise.
Ease of access
Homewood Chiropractic is located in central Fareham, with free on-site parking and access to bus and train routes. Appointments can usually be offered with 48 hours, with emergency appointments usually available at even shorter notice. Saturday morning appointments and early/late appointments are catered for.
Within the clinic reception, treatment suites and WC facilities are all at ground floor level.
Value for money
We are committed to getting you out of pain and back to health in the shortest time possible.
Whilst it is very difficult to suggest how many sessions you may require, as no case is typical, many severe, acute or uncomplicated back or neck problems respond well within just a few treatments. More complicated and chronic conditions may take a little longer. Your chiropractor will be able to outline your program of care at your initial visit so that you know what to expect.
Homewood Chiropractic is recognised by most major health insurance companies.
Further Information provided by The British Chiropractic Association and General Chiropractic Council
What is Chiropractic?
The word “Chiropractic” is taken from two Greek words and literally means “manual practice”; or, in other words, treatment by manipulation.
Chiropractic is an independent branch of medicine that specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the joints, particularly those of the spine and their effects on the nervous system. X-rays (facility on-site) are sometimes used in the diagnosis and a chiropractor carries out treatment by specific manipulation. Drugs and surgery are not used.
Can anyone call themselves a chiropractor?
No. 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 General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
By law, the GCC must
• check those who apply for registration to make sure that they have a chiropractic qualification, are of good character and are physically and mentally fit
• set and monitor standards of education and training
• set standards of practice and conduct
• deal with any complaints about the conduct or practice of chiropractors.
What do Chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors are mainly involved in the treatment of common musculo-skeletal complaints. About half of all patients who consult a chiropractor do so because of lower back pain. As well as treating back and neck pains, chiropractors treat pain originating from the spine but felt in other parts of the body.
What will happen when I visit a Chiropractor?
During the first consultation a full case history is taken. As well as asking details about your principal disorder, your chiropractor will want to know details of your past medical history. He/she will examine carefully the area that is giving you trouble and other areas that are relevant. His/her examination will vary according to your particular problem, and may X-ray you if visual information on the condition of your spine is needed.
The purpose of this first visit will be to see if there is a good chance of helping you. Treatment will vary according to the problem. Chiropractors have special skill in specific manipulation techniques of joints and muscles and ligaments. These will be appropriate to your age and condition. Many other treatments will be used to aid your recovery for example massage, nutritional counselling etc.
Visit our ‘What to Expect’ page or download the GCC leaflet 'What Can I Expect When I See a Chiropractor' from our 'Downloads' Page.
How long will it take to get better?
The number of treatments varies considerably. Results of a survey show that a patient with low-back pain attends a chiropractor, on average, for six treatments. This varies considerably and may be greater in number, especially in chronic cases, or less in others.
What sort of response will I have to treatment?
Some patients feel energetic following an adjustment and others feel extreme relaxation or tiredness due to the sudden release of muscular tension. Patients seldom get better at a constant rate, so it is not unusual for a patient who has been getting better to suffer a temporary relapse before treatment continues again.
Some patients who improve slowly to begin with suddenly reach a stage where they improve rapidly. Others who improve quickly to begin with may take longer to recover fully.
Following a course of treatment, some patients require an occasional check-up to make sure they maintain their improvement. If the trouble should recur, it can often be cleared up in relatively few treatments if not left too long before the chiropractor is consulted again.
Some patients who do not benefit are those who expect immediate improvement and failing to respond at once, discontinue treatment. The chances of improvement are always helped by following your chiropractor’s advice.
What about my general practitioner?
Most patients consult a chiropractor directly, usually after personal recommendation. However, general practitioners are allowed by the General Medical Council to refer patients to chiropractors providing that they maintain responsibility for the patient and they are sure that the chiropractor is the proper person to deal with the patient’s condition. In recent years, general practitioners have increasingly been referring patients for chiropractic treatment. Even so, many GPs are not aware of the GMC guidelines and others remain poorly informed about chiropractic. Homewood Chiropractic has treated NHS patients for 12 years. Funding changes to the NHS have now removed this benefit but we will endevour to regain this important service, for your benefit.
What are the differences between chiropractors and osteopaths?
In most countries, chiropractors are better known than osteopaths. Their forms of treatment have similarities, but there are important differences.
Chiropractors make use of direct adjustment of a specific vertebra in a given direction, whereas osteopaths often use more massage or soft tissue techniques during the treatment of patients.
Chiropractors use X-rays about five times more frequently than osteopaths and also make fuller use of other diagnostic tests. Differences in theory are mostly historical: early osteopaths believed that the effect of their treatment was on the blood circulation; whereas chiropractors emphasised, and still to this day emphasise the role of the nervous system.
It is probably true to say that the practical differences have become fewer over the years and both professions suffer from misconceptions about their counterpart’s work.
Do I have to have an x-ray?
Your chiropractor will only recommend that an x-ray be taken if there is a valid clinical reason for doing so. Like all health professionals, chiropractors must comply with the legislation that governs the use of x-rays - the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000.
Who owns the x-rays?
Patients are asked to note that any x-rays or other medical images taken or ordered by a chiropractor must be retained by the chiropractor as part of your health record for a period of 8 years after the date of your last visit. This is one of the legal requirements of the Code of Practice published by the General Chiropractic Council, which is the statutory regulator for chiropractors in the United Kingdom.
There may be occasions when you want another health professional to look at your x-rays or other medical images. In these circumstances your chiropractor will be willing to release them to you or (with your consent) to your health professional of choice, on the clear understanding that the x-ray films or other medical images will be returned to your chiropractor.
Under the Data Protection Act, you are entitled to a copy of your health record, including any x-rays or other medical images, and your chiropractor may make a reasonable charge for the copy. The maximum charge that can be made is £50.
Do please ask your chiropractor if you have any questions about the information set out in this notice.
For a free copy of the Code of Practice please telephone 0845 601 1796 or visit www.gcc-uk.org.
(Issued by the General Chiropractic Council, September 2005 (updated February 2006)
Can I get chiropractic care on the NHS?
It is always worth asking your GP, your local Primary Care Trust or Health Board if NHS funding is available for chiropractic. As yet, it is not widespread even though chiropractic care is included in the Musculoskeletal Services Framework published by the Department of Health. There is also a pilot scheme in Northern Ireland that includes funding for chiropractic. Perhaps what is needed now is the application of 'patient power' so that the choice of chiropractic care is open to more of those who can benefit from it.
Can chiropractors use the title 'Dr' when advertising?
The Committee of Advertising Practice's (CAP) position is that advertisers who use the title 'Dr' should take care not to imply that they hold a general medical qualification. In general, CAP advises that if they do not possess such a qualification advertisers should not call themselves 'Dr'. Chiropractors are therefore advised not to use the title 'Dr' in their advertisements or in any information targeted at patients.
When referring to themselves in, for example, print adverts, practice leaflets or websites, chiropractors who wish to use the courtesy title of 'Dr' should give their name followed by their qualification in brackets e.g. John Bloggs (Doctor of Chiropractic).
The CAP Copy Advice Team provides a free advice service and will check any advertising claims prior to publication. They can be contacted at advice@cap.org.uk or on 020 7492 2100 Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
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