We’re taking a closer look at our therapies and what they can do for you.  Today is the turn of McTimoney Chiropractic.
Therapists: Paul Tibbitts, Petra Moxley
Most Commonly Treated Conditions:Â
We see a range of muscle and joint problems but our top 3 are lower back pain, Neck pain and stiffness, and Shoulder pain.
What advice can you give to someone suffering with low back pain?:
There are a couple of things you can do to help with low back pain.
Posture
Maintain a good upright balanced posture. When sitting avoid slumping. Sit well back in the chair so that your lower back is properly supported. When standing make sure that you have your weight is evenly distributed. Wear flat shoes with cushioned soles, not high heels.
Avoid lifting or carrying wherever possible. But if you have to keep your back straight and bend your legs. Use your legs to lift rather than your back, but don’t attempt to lift anything that is too heavy for you. With things like shopping carry it evenly on both sides.
Exercises
Stretching – Lie on your back. Bring one knee into your chest, holding around the calf or the thigh and hug it into your chest for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Then bring both knees into your chest and hold for 30 seconds and then stretch your legs out, stretch your arms overhead and stretch through the whole of your body. Gently roll your hips from one side to the other. Repeat 5-10 times. With your legs out straight, hitch each hip up alternately. Repeat 10-20 times. Bend from the waist and stretch your left hand down to your left knee. Hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat on the other side and hold.
Strengthening – Lie on your tummy, with your forehead on your folded hands. Lift first the left leg, keeping it straight; hold for 3-5 seconds, slowly lower. Repeat with the right leg. Start with 2-3 and build up to 10 and 15 . When you can do this easily lift both legs together and repeat as above. Stretch your hands out in front of you, lift first one arm, then the other and when you are strong enough both arms. Hold for 3-5 seconds and repeat about 10-15 times. Combine the previous 2 exercises so you are lifting both your arms and your legs. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
Stop exercising if they become painful!
Keep active. Continue with normal activities as much as possible, Keeping mobile will help to prevent stiffness.
What training do you need to become a McTimoney Chiropractor?
You can train to be a Chiropractor at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The college offers either a 4 year or a 5 year programme. The 5 year course being for students who want to continue working while studying.
Both programmes involve academic and practical studies, with the final year being a clinical year. Students gain academic knowledge enabling them to understand the systems and workings of the human body, and the practical skills in assessment and diagnosis of patient presentation.
All practical training is delivered by practising Chiropractors. Training clinics start in year 1 and are fully developed in the final year. Under supervision students manage their own list of patients.
What happens during a consultation?:
During a consultation a full medical history is taken, which includes a description of your condition, to make sure you are safe to treat and to help analyse the condition.
This is followed by an explanation of the treatment, including information about the McTimoney method.
Then with your permission a physical examination is carried out to assess the problem. The results of the examination are explained, along with the proposed treatment plan. Then, again with your consent, treatment begins.
Most people need more than 1 session to resolve the problem. Â We will explain how many treatments we think you’ll need during our consultation.
You should try Chiropractic if…
…. you have Back, neck and shoulder pain!
For more information or to book an appointment, call us on 020 8520 5268.