What is Chiropractic

According to the British Chiropractic Association it is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to mechanical dysfunction of the joints, particularly those of the spine, and their effects on the nervous system.

Chiropractors treat problems with joints, bones and muscles, and the effects they have on the nervous system.

Working on all the joints of the body, concentrating particularly on the spine, they use their hands to make often gentle, specific adjustments (the chiropractic word for manipulation) to improve the efficiency of the nervous system and release the body's natural healing ability. Chiropractic does not involve the use of any drugs or surgery.

Chiropractic treatment can also aid the recovery of people suffering from headaches, arthritis, neck pain, joint pain, as well as specific sports injuries. Young children can also be treated.

In common with other health professions, chiropractic is regulated by Act of Parliament. The Chiropractors Act 1994 is a good example of modern legislation and it gives strong powers to the regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council ( www.gcc-uk.org ).

Chiropractors who are on the GCC's Statutory Register have met legal criteria for registration and it is a criminal offence for anyone to describe themselves as a chiropractor if they are not registered with the GCC.