Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1895 when he discovered improvements after performing an adjustment on a janitor who had partially lost his hearing. His patient and friend Reverend Samuel Weed created the word, originally from the Latin “chiro” which means “hand”.

The method by which the chiropractor uses imparts a specific force commonly referred to as an adjustment (verb: adjust), traditionally by hand with a high velocity and specific line of drive (or direction) that results in the restoration of movement and correction of vertebral malalignment. The chiropractor then always corrects functioning to return to the structures from which the nerves in the area flow to. As techniques have developed this impulse may now be done with modalities; additionally chiropractors also can adjust extremities (arms and legs etc).

Chiropractic is best thought of as a 3 legged stool based around philosophy, science and art. Each represents a leg, all of which are fundamental to understanding the profession. The philosophy is “why to adjust”, the science is “how to adjust” and the art is “where to adjust”.

Today however, while the principle is still simple, the science has become more developed. We know that whilst chiropractic provides significant benefits to a number of conditions its philosophy is not based in treatment of any one condition or even many, but simply the removal of interference allowing the self-healing and self-regulating power that made the body to heal the body. This inner wisdom is referred to by chiropractors as innate intelligence (inner intelligence) born into any living thing. Chiropractic is a drugless profession. The nerve interference was first called a subluxation (joint out of normal position) but others have discarded the word and prefer simply facet/joint restriction.

The principle is simple. You have a brain that continues as the spinal core in the protective bony casing that is your spine. I nerve existing from the spine may get inflamed or irritated as it leaves the protection of the spine. Chiropractors look to realign joints, muscles and ligaments using an adjustment to allow the restoration of movement and function to the involved section in the spine (or extremity). They look directly at the area involved but also spine and body as a whole.

As mentioned before, historically chiropractic is not based on “treating” a condition or conditions. Chiropractic is based on the premise that by removing any interference that exists in the nerve system the body will function better and heal better.

Consequently, a number of conditions have improved effectively as a “by-product” of chiropractic care. These conditions commonly stated by chiropractors in the UK are backed by the Brontford report.

These include:

• Migraines
• Headaches (cervicogenic)
• Neck pain
• Cervicogenic dizziness (dizziness caused by the cervical spine)
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip
• Lower back pain
• Plantar fasciitis

The adjustments themselves generally do not take long. It is the recovery period, where patients start to feel better and a difference in their problem, which takes time.

Pain is usually the final straw and most times we find patients have had persistent issues in the past, though they have not been as bad. Most people see improvements fairly soon after treatment has begun.

At the Report of Findings your chiropractor will present to you their findings and what is involved, including the type of care, recovery period, the number of sessions needed and the expected costs involved.

No. Chiropractic should never hurt. On the first session we will go easy with you. We understand that it is a new environment and will explain everything we are doing every step of the way. However, you can sometimes ache slightly after an adjustment. We liken this feeling to the first game of a season. If you start using muscles that you have not used for a while you may feel a little ache at worst.

Given we take care of patients of all ages the pressure must be adapted to the individual, from babies to the elderly.

Some people hear a gentle popping sound when they get adjusted; it is not painful.

This sound is from the change in pressure inside the joint capsule which results in a change of state for a very small amount of fluid into a gas. This gas then gets reabsorbed into the joint.

The chiropractor will tell you how many sessions and how long it will take at the Report of Findings. This is a dedicated session that usually follows the New Patient consultation and exam (provided no further tests are required).

Before your Report of Findings the chiropractor will study both the history and examination findings carefully before making a decision on the time, the type of care and number of sessions required, as well as the cost involved.

Most people we see do get benefits with chiropractic.

A factor that we must recognise however is a limitation of matter: in the same way as if you lost a leg you cannot expect to ever run the same as when you had a leg, the same is true of degenerative joint disease and if there is wear and tear. Assessing the degree of degenerative changes is one of the reasons we may take into consideration for taking an X-ray. Not everyone requires X-rays.

In order for X-rays to be carried out, they must be clinically justified and necessary.

The main benefit of taking X-rays is helping to determine whether there are any contraindications for providing care, particularly the right type of care, because what is right for one person is not necessarily right for another.

X-rays allow us to look underneath the surface so we know how to provide the best care for you in the safest way.  Without them it could be compared to being a mechanic and trying to fix a car without lifting up the bonnet.

Certain tests are better than others. However, tests should also be considered confirmation tests. Specifically the health practitioner usually has an idea of what they think is going on and additional tests are just to confirm what they suspect from the history and examination. This is the reason we allocate so much time to our New Patient examinations. We leave no stone unturned in finding out if we can help, and even if we can’t we will do everything in our power to refer you to someone that can.

Chiropractors undergo a rigorous training program which is usually 4-5 years. This level of training entitles Chiropractors to a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree.

There are only a handful of chiropractic colleges in the UK and we are proud to say we have some of the best chiropractors in the world in our midst.

Chiropractors must undergo annual professional development as well as paying an annual retention fee to the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) to use the title of Chiropractor. Chiropractors, like Medical Doctors (GMC), must also follow a code of conduct that holds them accountable for their actions.

When you are back on track, living the life and doing the things you want to again, you have a choice. What we recommend, and what most do, is to maintain your improvements with ongoing maintenance chiropractic care.

This is a bit like losing weight by eating the right food or getting fit at the gym; you have to keep up your new habits to keep yourself in your new, positive place.

We do not want you to ever go back to where you were when we first met you.  There is a level of chiropractic for everyone, so when the time is right we will sit down and discuss it with you.

All ages. We may have various traumas or situations that affect us throughout life including birth trauma, knocks and falls, bad posture, stress and tension or car accidents. Any and all of these can create problems.

Yes. Chiropractic is very safe for children. Chiropractic is considered one of the safest health professions in the world (as reflected in low insurance malpractice policies). Chiropractors have studied for a minimum of 4-5 years in knowing when and when not to adjust and also how to adjust people of all ages from babies to the elderly.

Something of particular concern that has been acknowledged by the WHO (World Health Organisation) is scoliosis, 80% of which is idiopathic, meaning unknown cause. This is a condition that is usually missed until it is too late as it is usually asymptomatic in the early stages; for this reason we perform complimentary child checks. Call our front desk today to book one of these for your child.

Dr Grayson Nolan (Doctor of Chiropractic), our director has been in practice for over 9 years and seen hundreds of young patients over this time. His youngest patient was 5 days old. Grayson is very proud of the young patients he has seen, some of which have been inspired to go on and become chiropractors themselves!

Yes. We love getting the message of chiropractic out into the public. Whilst the benefits of chiropractic are there to be researched, unfortunately many people are never informed.

Approximately 95% of our patients have never seen a chiropractor before in their life! Did you know the 1991 and 1994 Beam Trails (published by the British Medical Journal) showed that it was more effective to have spinal manipulative techniques performed if you had an acute episode of lower back pain (over less than 3 months) than to use medication?

To date we have done talks in local businesses and many charities including our local Billericay Lions Club, Rotary Groups across Essex, Womens Institute (WI), Probus, Arthritis groups, Brentwood library and even local radio station Phoenix FM.

We have also appeared in publications including local papers, and in the Brentwood Gazette and Essex Life Magazine.

Patient centred care means listening to, informing and involving the patient actively in their own care. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) under patient centred care acknowledge  “Treatment and care should take into account individual needs and preferences. Patients should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their healthcare professionals ¹