Got a question? Below are our answers to some commonly asked questions about your course of care (treatment), aftercare, booking appointments and more...
Before your appointment begins Before your initial consultation, you will be asked to complete our registration form, which includes your personal details, along with any relevant injuries, illnesses and medication.
During the appointment We will discuss your registration form with you as well as conduct a physical examination to locate the problem, which may include neurological and/or orthopaedic tests, if required. If at any point it is discovered or suspected that there is a condition that requires medial intervention, you will be referred to your GP or other medical professional for further tests. With your consent, we may provide referral letters to your GP or relevant consultant(s) free of charge, should we believe you require investigations, co-management or referral elsewhere.
What treatment is involved? Before any treatment takes place, the outcome of the physical examination will be clearly explained to you, as well as the proposed treatment plan along with its benefits and any significant risks associated with your condition and the proposed treatment plan.
Along with McTimoney chiropractic manipulations, it may be appropriate to incorporate soft tissue work (massage), kinesiotaping or dry needling into your treatment. Ian is qualified in these areas and uses a combination of all three treatment approaches to great effect.
It may also be appropriate to refer you to another member of the Total Balance team
How long is an appointment? Normally, your first appointment will last between 30 minutes and an hour. Follow up treatments are typically around 20 minutes.
What should I wear? We suggest wearing something loose and comfortable, that ideally does not restrict your movement.
Do I need to bring anything? Please bring a list of any medications or supplements you taking. Any previous X-rays or MRI scans, if you have them, may also be of assistance. Please Contact Us if you have any questions or concerns. Also remember your diary to help book your course of care.
How many sessions will I need? Typically, between two and six sessions is sufficient for straightforward problems, however, the number and frequency of appointments depends on a variety of factors including age, general fitness, the extent and duration of the injury, stress and posture, for example. The anticipated number of appointments will be discussed with you before your course of care commences.
Whilst our first priority is always to relieve your pain and alleviate symptoms, we believe that health is a life-long journey and so most who complete their initial course of care choose to retain the improvements they’ve made with periodic check-ups, just like we do. Therefore, we'll always discuss an ongoing 'maintenance' course of care with you too - just like getting the regular MOT on your car done!
How will I feel afterwards? You can expect to feel physical changes as your body re-aligns - you might feel tired or stiff, for example, particularly after your first session. You will advised about aftercare and any lifestyle changes that will help you get the most out of your course of care. It's important to tell us if you are worried about anything during or after any appointment.
You can also purchase kinesiotape, massage balls and foam rollers to use at home after your appointment if it is felt these will aid your ongoing course of care.
What if you can't help me? Very rarely, we see a patient for whom unfortunately chiropractic is not appropriate and therefore treatment cannot commence. In these instances, we waive any charge for the initial consultation.
How do I book an appointment? You can book an ongoing appointment online by clicking here or call us on 01442 211899. All new chiropractic consultations can be booked by phone only.
I've booked an appointment online but need to cancel or re-schedule. What do I do? After you book your appointment online you will receive a confirmation email, which includes a link to "cancel appointment". Clicking this link will open up our bookings webpage where you can cancel your appointment. If you want to reschedule, click to cancel your appointment, and on the next screen there is the option to re-book another appointment.
If you have any questions, queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.