Chiropractic

Chiropractic places its emphasis on the diagnosis and management of problems affecting the joints, muscles, ligaments and nerves. The most compelling evidence for the effectiveness of chiropractic care relates to low back pain, but the care offered by chiropractors is proven to be effective for a range of other conditions.

EVIDENCE

Systematic reviews of Randomised Control Trials have identified high or moderate quality evidence that manual therapy is effective in the treatment of the following conditions:

Acute low back pain

Chronic low back pain

Acute whiplash-associated disorders

Shoulder girdle pain/dysfunction

Adhesive capsulitis

Tennis elbow

Hip osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Plantar fasciitis

Migraine

Cervicogenic headache and dizziness – headache and dizziness originating from the neck

Extremity joint conditions

Acute/subacute neck pain

Chronic neck pain.

Sciatica

The UK's National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) published recommendations in 2009 for the treatment and management of persistent or recurrent low back pain. Doctors are invited to consider offering a course of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, comprising up to a maximum of nine sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks. Chiropractors are named as providers of spinal manipulation.

In 1997 The Wiltshire Health Authority looked at savings and benefits with GPs referring acute back pain patients early for manipulation. 344 patients were referred for manipulation and compared to 194 patients, treated by GPs in the usual way in the previous four months. The results of this study showed that patients recovered more quickly and had less time off work. It saved GPs time and the drugs bill as well as savings in sickness benefits.

After taking a detailed case history and performing a thorough examination, Chiropractors provide a package of care that may include physical treatments drawn from all types of manual therapy including spinal manipulation or 'adjustment', mobilisation, massage, exercise and a range of advice on rehabilitation, posture, activity, lifestyle and prevention

Michael Copland-Griffiths
Michael qualified as a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, with the award "Best all-round student of 1977".

After establishing West Wiltshire's first chiropractic clinic at Wingfield, Trowbridge, he returned to teach at the AECC and was featured in Anglia's 1982 TV series "Medicine Men".

His "Dynamic Chiropractic Today – an authoritative guide" published in 1991 received international acclaim. He has been an influential leader of his profession, lecturing at home and abroad, and his appointments have included terms as British Chiropractic Association President and Chairman of the General Chiropractic Council, the body that regulates the profession.

With a special interest in problems that have failed to respond to previous treatment, Michael enjoys taking on challenging cases. "I love my work", he says, "Every day I am privileged to watch how chiropractic so often changes lives – bringing relief from pain, restoring function and empowering patients to maintain their health."

Kate Mosedale
Kate graduated with a Masters degree from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, achieving the award "Clinician of the Year".

Prior to this she was fortunate to work as a Rehabilitation assistant in a busy Physiotherapy department within the NHS. Together with her training as a professional dancer at the world renowned Laban Centre her rehabilitation work has given her a wealth of experience to draw from.

"For me", explains Kate, "the beauty of Chiropractic care is that it embraces every patient as an individual with their own unique needs and it recognises that pain, injuries and experiences are different for everyone whether they are a performing artist or IT consultant. My aim is to educate and inspire my patients to understand more about their bodies so they take charge of looking after themselves and are able to continue doing the things they love."