DUNFERMLINE CHIROPRACTIC

People commonly visit chiropractors with musculoskeletal problems including back pain, mechanical neck pain, joint pain, headaches arising from the neck, migraine prevention, sciatica, muscle spasms, minor sports injuries and certain shoulder complaints.

We also see people with more complex or longstanding health concerns. In these cases, we assess whether there is a neuromusculoskeletal component that may be appropriate for chiropractic care.

If further investigation or another healthcare professional is needed, we will explain this and refer appropriately.

The nervous system plays an important role in movement, sensation, coordination, muscle activity and reflexes.

Depending on your presentation, neurological assessment may form part of your examination alongside assessment of the spine, joints and muscles.

This helps us build a broader picture of how your neuromusculoskeletal system is functioning and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

No. Pain is important, but it is only one part of the picture.

We also consider movement, mobility, function and relevant neurological and musculoskeletal findings.

This allows us to look beyond symptoms alone and objectively monitor how you are functioning and progressing over time.

Yes. The body does not function as a collection of completely separate parts.

Your general health, activity, sleep, stress, previous injuries, work, lifestyle and medical history can all provide important context when understanding a neuromusculoskeletal problem.

Our role is to consider the whole person while remaining focused on the areas that fall within our professional scope.

Your first appointment starts with a detailed discussion about your current concerns, health history and goals.

Your chiropractor will then carry out an appropriate clinical examination. Depending on your presentation, this may include movement, orthopaedic, neurological and other objective assessments.

We bring these findings together, explain what we think is relevant and discuss the most appropriate next steps with you.

We assess first and make recommendations second.

Your history, clinical findings, goals and individual circumstances help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what approach may suit you.

If something requires medical assessment, imaging or another healthcare professional, we will tell you.

Yes. Dunfermline Chiropractic Clinic has on-site X-ray facilities where imaging is clinically appropriate.

X-rays are not required for everyone. Your chiropractor will first take a detailed history and carry out an examination before deciding whether imaging is justified and likely to provide useful information.

Where appropriate, X-ray findings are considered alongside the rest of your clinical assessment when making recommendations about your care.

A chiropractic adjustment is one of several techniques chiropractors may use as part of neuromusculoskeletal care.

It involves applying a controlled force to a joint. Because the joints, muscles and nervous system continually interact during movement and function, we consider an adjustment within the wider clinical picture rather than looking at a joint in isolation.

Adjustments are not appropriate for everybody and are only recommended where clinically suitable.

Chiropractic care should always be based on an appropriate assessment of the individual.

As with any healthcare intervention, there can be risks and temporary side effects. Your chiropractor will consider these alongside your health history and clinical findings and adapt care accordingly.

We will explain what we recommend, and you remain in control of your care throughout.

Most chiropractic techniques are comfortable to receive, although some people may experience temporary soreness, stiffness or discomfort afterwards.

There are many different ways of providing chiropractic care, so the approach can be adapted to the individual.

Your chiropractor will explain what they are proposing before proceeding.

There is no single schedule that suits everybody.

The frequency and duration of care depend on your clinical findings, goals and response to care. Some people initially attend more regularly and then increase the time between appointments as they progress.

Your recommendations are regularly reviewed and should evolve with you.

We believe progress should be measured rather than assumed.

Alongside how you feel, we monitor relevant aspects of movement, function and other objective clinical findings.

Progress reviews allow us to compare where you are with where you started and decide whether care should continue, change, become less frequent or stop.

No. Ongoing care is always a choice.

Some people choose less frequent chiropractic appointments after their initial goals have been reached because they value continuing to monitor and support their musculoskeletal function.

Others prefer to return only when they feel they need us. We will explain your options, but the decision remains yours.

Yes. We see people at many different stages of life.

Assessment and care are adapted to the individual, taking account of factors such as age, development, pregnancy, health history and reason for attending.

The same principle applies to everyone: understand the person, assess appropriately and only recommend care where we believe it has a suitable role.

Yes. You are welcome to bring a partner, friend, parent or family member to your appointment.

A chaperone can also be arranged where you or your chiropractor feel this would be appropriate.

Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely is usually best.

If a particular examination or X-ray requires anything different, we will explain this and maintain your privacy and dignity throughout.