With over 25 years of combined experience our chiropractors have treated thousands of patients.
Lowford Clinic has grown from its reputation of helping people get and feel better. Our patients travel from all over Southampton and the surrounding areas to receive treatment in our unique, caring and safe environment. Our aim is to help You be Your Best but don’t just take our word for it – read what some of our patients have to say about us.
Call Us Now on 023 80405335 to make your appointment or to book our Free Advisory Consultation.
New for July 2020 online booking with Jane App
Clicking here Online Booking will take you through to our Lowford Clinic online booking site (option available from July 2020). This site enables you to sign up to the clinic system (Jane App) and book an appointment that is convenient for you. Once signed up you can also view any of your previous visit history, upcoming appointments or download any receipts you may require.
Chiropractic – Getting your questions answered
The following is aimed at answering the most commonly asked questions our chiropractors at Lowford Clinic get asked. If you can’t find the answer to your question or want to speak directly with one of our Chiropractors then you can Speak to a Chiropractor who will answer your questions.
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.
What do Chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors are mainly involved in the treatment of common musculo-skeletal complaints. These problems include the most common types of aches and pains: such as backache, neck pain and headache. About half of all patients who consult a chiropractor do so because of lower back pain.
Is a Chiropractor properly qualified?
The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) holds a register of all qualified Chiropractors. It is a criminal offence for to call yourself a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC. All chiropractors registered with the GCC will have spent between 4 and 5 years studying full time for a BSc. or MSc. in Chiropractic. To maintain registration with the GCC, chiropractors have to demonstrate ongoing continued professional development (CPD) every year. Some qualified chiropractors choose to be registered with the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), although this is a choice and not a requirement.
What will happen when I visit a Chiropractor?
During the first consultation a full case history is taken. As well as asking details about the issue most troubling you, your chiropractor will also want to know something of your past medical history. We will then carry out a full examination of the area that is giving you trouble and other areas that may contribute to this problem. Your examination will vary according to your particular problem. Occasionally we may need to contact your GP (with your permission) if more information is required. In addition sometimes more specialised tests such as MRI, X-ray or ultrasound examinations are required before a diagnosis can be achieved.
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 but usually involves specific manipulation (adjustment) of the spine amongst other things
How long will it take to get better?
The number of visits varies considerably. Results of a survey have shown that a patient with low-back pain attends a chiropractor, on average, for six treatments. However this number varies considerably and may be greater in persistent pain cases, or less in others.
What sort of response will I have to treatment?
The response varies from patient to patient. Some feel immediate improvement whilst others have to be treated a number of times before they start to feel better. Improvement may be temporary at first but becomes longer lasting with subsequent treatment. Sometimes improvement may be felt immediately after treatment, more frequently, not until the next day or sometimes not for several days. It is not unusual to have a reaction to treatment, especially following the first treatment, usually within the first day or so. This may be felt as soreness, stiffness or aching and sometimes, even increased pain. 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.
What about my general practitioner?
Most clients at Lowford Clinic, visit due to personal recommendation from friends or family members, however some are recommended to visit the clinic by their GP or consultant. There is no requirement for you to visit your GP prior to visiting Lowford Clinic. We sometimes need to work in unison with your GP and in these instances we will write to your GP to ask for their assistance. We only do this with your express permission though.
What are the differences between chiropractors and osteopaths?
This is a tricky question to answer since there is a great deal of overlap in Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Osteopathy. This situation is further complicated by the fact that each professional may have subtle differences in the way they treat. Broadly speaking all of these professions work with a combination of hands on treatment and advice including lifestyle modification and exercise prescription. Chiropractors and Osteopaths generally use joint manipulation (often associated with a “crack”), whereas Physiotherapists use different types of manipulation. The outcomes of all treatment types for most conditions is broadly the same.