What do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors care for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems — those affecting the muscles, joints and nerves. The most common reasons people come to see us include back pain, neck pain, joint pain in the shoulder, hip, knee or elbow, sciatica, and minor sports injuries. Chiropractic care may also help with some headaches that arise from the neck, and with the prevention of migraine.Rather than thinking in terms of "treating" a long list of conditions, it is more accurate to say we care for people with these musculoskeletal problems — assessing carefully, helping where we can, and being honest when something falls outside our scope or needs medical attention. If you are unsure whether we can help with your particular problem, you are very welcome to get in touch and ask before booking.

Is chiropractic safe?

For most people, chiropractic care is a safe approach to common musculoskeletal problems when it is carried out by a registered chiropractor after a proper assessment. As with any form of healthcare, there can be some short-lived after-effects — most commonly temporary soreness or stiffness, rather like after exercise, which usually settles within a day or two.Serious side effects are rare. A careful assessment beforehand is an important part of keeping care safe: it helps us choose techniques that suit you and identify the small number of situations where manipulation would not be appropriate, or where we should refer you for medical assessment instead. We will always explain what we are recommending and why, adapt our approach to you — including gentler, low-force options where they are more suitable — and proceed only with your agreement.

Does chiropractic treatment hurt?

For most people, chiropractic treatment is not painful. Many of the techniques are gentle, and a lot of patients find treatment itself quite relaxing. Where an area is already painful or inflamed, some techniques may cause brief discomfort, but this is usually mild and short-lived, and we work within what is comfortable for you.It is fairly common to feel a little sore or stiff for a day or so afterwards, particularly after your first few treatments, much as you might after some unaccustomed exercise; this usually settles quickly. We will always explain what to expect, adapt our approach to your comfort — including gentler, low-force options where they suit you better — and check in with you as we go. Your feedback matters, so if anything feels uncomfortable during treatment, please say so, and we will adjust what we are doing straight away.

How long until I’ll feel better?

This varies a great deal from person to person, so we are wary of making promises. Some people notice an improvement quite quickly, sometimes within the first visit or two, while for others — particularly with long-standing or more stubborn problems — it takes longer and progress comes in stages.It is also quite common to feel a little sore or stiff for a day or so after early treatments, much as you might after unaccustomed exercise, before things start to ease. After assessing you, we will give you an honest, realistic idea of what to expect for your particular problem, and we will review your progress as we go. If you are not improving as we would hope within a reasonable time, we will not simply carry on regardless — we will reconsider the approach or refer you on.

How long does a first chiropractic appointment take?

Your first appointment is the longest, because it is where we take the time to understand you and your problem properly. As a guide, an initial consultation usually lasts somewhere in the region of forty-five minutes to an hour, though this can vary with the practitioner and the complexity of your problem.That time allows us to take a thorough history, ask about your general health and lifestyle, carry out a careful physical examination, and explain what we have found and what we would suggest. Where appropriate, treatment may begin at the same visit. We would always rather give your first appointment the time it needs than rush it, so it is worth allowing a little extra in case things run on. If you would like to know the exact length for your particular appointment, just ask when you book.

Chiropractic – Back In Action

Q: What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession concerned with problems of the muscles, joints and nerves, particularly those of the spine. Chiropractors use their hands to assess and care for these problems, alongside advice and exercises, taking a drug-free, non-surgical approach. In the UK the title "chiropractor" is protected by law, and every chiropractor must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), which sets the standards for training and practice.People most often see a chiropractor for back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica and similar musculoskeletal complaints. Care usually begins with a thorough assessment to understand your problem, followed by a tailored plan that may combine hands-on treatment with practical advice and rehabilitation. At Back in Action, our aim is always to help you understand what is going on and to support a lasting recovery, not just short-term relief.

Chiropractic is the foundation of the care we provide at Back in Action, and it has been at the heart of our Penwortham practice since the clinic opened in 2002. It is a regulated, drug-free, hands-on approach to the assessment and management of problems affecting the joints, muscles and nerves — particularly those of the spine. Our chiropractors are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), the statutory body that regulates the profession across the UK, and they work alongside one another under one roof. That means patients can be matched to the practitioner and the approach best suited to them, rather than simply to whoever happens to be free.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession concerned with how the spine, joints and surrounding soft tissues move and function. Chiropractors complete several years of training, including a substantial clinical component, before they are allowed to register and practise. That training covers not only how to assess and care for mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal system, but also how to recognise when a problem falls outside their scope and needs onward referral to a GP or another specialist.

Care is hands-on and medication-free. Depending on what we find, it may include joint manipulation and mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, and practical advice on movement, posture and exercise. The aim is to help joints move more freely, ease muscular tension, and support you to return to the activities that matter to you.

It is worth being clear about what chiropractic is not. It is not a guaranteed quick fix, and it is not suitable for every problem. A good chiropractor will be honest about what care can realistically offer, will set out the likely course of treatment, and will say so plainly if they think another route would serve you better.

Conditions chiropractors care for

In the UK, chiropractors are recognised as able to care for people with a range of musculoskeletal complaints. Patients commonly come to us with:

Back pain and low back pain
Neck pain and related shoulder problems
Sciatica and other nerve-related leg pain
Joint pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee
Headaches arising from the neck, and migraine prevention
Minor sports injuries and general muscular aches and tension

This is not an exhaustive list, and the picture is rarely as tidy as a single label. Two people with "back pain" may need quite different care. That is why the first step is always a thorough assessment rather than an assumption. We will be honest with you about whether chiropractic is likely to help, what realistic improvement might look like, and how long it may take.

Our approach at Back in Action

What sets our Penwortham practice apart is the breadth of experience under one roof. As a long-established, multi-practitioner clinic, we can match you to the right person and method rather than applying a one-size-fits-all routine. If one approach is not working as hoped, we have colleagues and alternatives to turn to without you having to start again elsewhere.

Alongside diversified manipulation — the familiar hands-on adjustment many people associate with chiropractic — our team offers a number of advanced post-graduate techniques. These include functional neurology, applied kinesiology and the sacro-occipital technique (SOT). Several of these are gentler, lower-force methods, which gives us options for patients who prefer a softer approach or for whom firmer techniques are less appropriate.

Several of our practitioners also have additional training in pregnancy-related care, so expectant patients can be seen by someone experienced in the adjustments and positioning needed during pregnancy. Throughout, our philosophy is the same: drug-free, hands-on care, tailored to the individual, with clear explanations at every stage.

What to expect from your first appointment

Your first visit is mainly about understanding your problem, so there is no need to feel anxious about it. We begin with a detailed conversation about your symptoms — when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life — alongside relevant questions about your general health and medical history.

We then carry out a physical examination. This may include assessing your posture and how you move, testing the range of motion in the affected joints, and checking muscle and nerve function where relevant. If we need further information before going ahead, such as imaging or input from your GP, we will tell you and explain why.

Once we have a clear picture, we will talk you through what we have found in plain language: what we think is going on, whether chiropractic care is appropriate, and what a sensible plan looks like. You are always free to ask questions and to take time to decide — there is no obligation to commit to a course of care on the spot. Where it is suitable, treatment may begin at the first appointment; at other times it makes more sense to start at a follow-up visit.

Care is rarely a single appointment. Most mechanical problems respond best to a planned series of visits, and we will review your progress as we go, adjusting the plan in light of how you respond. You can read more about getting started on our new patients page, and our current charges are listed on the fees page.

Who chiropractic care is for

We care for patients of all ages and walks of life. Many are adults dealing with the wear and strain of work and daily life — office workers stiff from long hours at a desk, manual workers managing the demands of a physical job, and active people wanting to stay that way. Others come to us during pregnancy, or in later life as joints become less forgiving.

Because we have a range of techniques available, including gentler low-force options, care can be adapted to suit different needs and preferences. If you are unsure whether chiropractic is right for you or for a member of your family, the best starting point is simply to ask — we are always happy to talk it through honestly before you decide anything.

How chiropractic care feels

Chiropractic treatment is generally well tolerated, and most people find it a straightforward and comfortable experience. Some of the techniques involve a quick, controlled movement of a joint, which can produce a popping sound; this is normal and is not a cause for concern. As with many physical treatments, it is not unusual to feel some mild, temporary soreness afterwards, much as you might after exercise. We will always explain what we are doing and why, and you can ask us to stop or to adjust at any point.

How chiropractic fits with our other services

Chiropractic does not work in isolation. Where it helps your recovery, we may combine hands-on care with rehabilitation exercises, or recommend one of our complementary services within the same practice. These include physiotherapy, massage and sports therapy, all available at our Penwortham clinic.

This joined-up approach means your care can adapt as you progress, without having to start again somewhere new or repeat your story to a stranger. It is one of the practical advantages of a multi-practitioner clinic that has grown its range of care over more than 20 years.

Booking your appointment

If you are dealing with pain, stiffness or an injury and want to know whether chiropractic care could help, we are happy to talk it through. New and returning patients are equally welcome, and our team will help you find an appointment that suits you. You can get in touch to book, or to ask any questions before your first visit.