How To Choose A Chiropractor

My name is Dirk Laubscher. I've been a physiotherapist for over the last ten years and working in Harley Street for the last six, and today, I'm going to talk to you guys about the causes and the management of back pain. So, how to choose a chiropractor.

This is a very interesting topic because I'm actually a physiotherapist and as a physiotherapist, I would not really recommend anybody with back pain to go and see a chiropractor. I've got nothing against chiropractors, I think they're great people and they're very skilful, but for the management of back pain, you have to realize that what they do only gives you short term pain relief, and if that is what you want, then it's 100% your choice. But you have to remember again, that it's only short term pain relief because there's a reason why your back has gone out.

There's a reason why you're not aligned, there's a reason for those, and with spinal manipulation which chiropractors are good at and that's what they do, you know, you correct a biomechanical problem but there's a reason that it happened first in the first place. Okay, so again, I've got nothing against them and you know, I think can get the bad ones like in any professions and you get amazing ones, and it that's only what you want, you want a quick fix, your neck is stacked and you just want it released, then it's fine to go and see them. But if you want to actually come back to the core of why it's happening, you know, a very good physiotherapist who would look at the muscular imbalances in your body as well, would be more beneficial.

Also, chiropractors tend not to give exercises, and again, looking at chronic back pain, even acute back pain, it is essential that you get exercises. Otherwise if it's acute, it will lead into a chronic condition and if it's chronic, the only thing that really helps is strengthening combined with manipulations. But a lot of chiropractors do not do exercises with their patients or they give a list of exercises which doesn't work either, okay.

But if you do, a good way to find one, they've got an association, so you can google for chiropractors in your area and you can call their professional body, and what I would recommend is like when you are looking for physiotherapists, is to actually go on recommendation. So, try and find someone who you know has been to that person. Also, call them up, ask them exactly what they do.

I get many calls a day of patients asking us what do I do, you know, what do I do differently than any other physiotherapists because they've seen chiropractors and physiotherapists, and always have time to speak with these people and to explain what we do differently. So, call them up and if they're not fine to talk with you, then I don't think it's a good idea to go there. Anyway, they should make time for you.

Okay, so I think the internet is a great tool to use. Most of them have websites. Again, go on, just do your research but remember, usually, chiropractic treatment is a short term fix.

It will not cure the problem and I can say that because I've seen many many patients every month who's been to chiropractors and physiotherapists, okay, and again, they can give great sorts of pain relief. But if you're looking for something more substantial and actually get down to the problem, then you're better off looking for a manipulator, physiotherapist, because the bottom line is we do manipulate as well and we do the manipulations, I do the manipulations that chiropractors do, but we just add a few more things, okay. .