Questions people ask me
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
The short answer
Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession in the UK. I'm registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC No. 05268), trained at the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, and fully insured. Every new patient is screened for problems that chiropractic treatment isn't suitable for, before any hands-on treatment begins.
What regulation actually means
Chiropractors in the UK must be registered with the GCC to practise, the same way doctors are registered with the GMC. That means a recognised standard of training, an enforceable code of conduct, and a route for complaints if something goes wrong. If a practitioner isn't GCC-registered, they legally can't call themselves a chiropractor.
What screening looks like at your first visit
Before any treatment, I take a full history and ask about your general health, not just the area that's bothering you. That's how conditions unsuited to chiropractic care get picked up early, rather than missed. If anything in your history or examination points elsewhere, I'll tell you and help you get to the right person, whether that's your GP, A&E, or another specialist.
What side effects are common
Mild soreness or stiffness for a day or so after treatment is common, and it's usually a similar feeling to how muscles ache after exercise. It typically settles on its own. Where muscles have tightened up protectively, working through them can bring some temporary tenderness, which is part of what starts to settle things down.
Serious complications are uncommon. A proper history and examination is exactly how those risks are screened for and minimised before treatment starts.
Who shouldn't see a chiropractor without checking first
Go to A&E immediately
Go to A&E straight away, rather than book chiropractic treatment, if you have:
- Numbness or tingling around your back passage, genitals or inner thighs
- Difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sudden, severe weakness in a limb
See your GP first
See your GP first if your pain started after a significant fall or accident, or comes with:
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- A history of cancer
What to ask before you book, with anyone
- Are they GCC-registered? You can check any chiropractor's registration on the GCC's public register.
- Do they take a full history before treating, or go straight to hands-on work?
- Will they tell you honestly if you're not a good fit for chiropractic care?
Book your appointment
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