Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes, all the evidence is that chiropractic is a safe and effective form of care when provided by registered, qualified chiropractors. Chiropractic treatments are safe for all ages, from infants to the elderly. Our treatment is safe because it is natural, non-invasive involving no drugs or surgery and is among the safest care available.

Is chiropractic painful?

The treatments themselves are generally not painful, although patients who present with more severe pain may experience some minor discomfort for obvious reasons. However, we always provide care that is tailored to your individual needs.

Patients may experience some mild effects after the treatment such as feeling stiff or tired for a day or so – these are normally minor and do not last for very long.

Can chiropractic care help me?

Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems and not just back and neck complaints. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and its intimate relationship with the nervous system, which controls all your bodily functions. By optimising the spinal column and biomechanics of the joints, irritation and stress are removed and health can be restored.

Can chiropractor’s only treat back and neck pain?

Chiropractic is an effective form of care for back and neck pain as well as a range of other conditions including shoulder, arm and leg pain, headaches, sports injuries and the effects of pregnancy. You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided evidence that chiropractic care is also effective for children, some types of asthma, migraines, arthritis, and infantile colic and other seemingly “non-spinal” conditions. While chiropractors cannot guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to “treat” these conditions, chiropractic has successfully helped millions of people with all sorts of health conditions.

If I don’t have pain do I need Chiropractic?

Unfortunately, you don’t always know! The only way to really find out if your spine is healthy is to have it examined by a certified chiropractor. Sometimes we have no physical signs that we have joint problems, just like in cases when we are unaware of underlying problems for example cancer or heart disease, until it’s too late.
Most of us have regular check ups with our dentist, optician and doctor as a means of prevention. We are dependent on our spine and joints for everyday activities, sports and posture. Chiropractic helps ensure that all the joints of the body especially the spinal column are functioning correctly and therefore not placing abnormal stress or interference on the nerves that exit the spine, which in turn could cause abnormal function of the organs to which these nerves supply.

Do I have to have an x-ray?

Your chiropractor will only recommend that an x-ray be taken if there are valid clinical reasons for doing so. Like all health professionals, chiropractors must comply with the legislation that governs the use of x-rays.

How many treatments will I need?

Before one answer’s that question, ask yourself what you want from treatment? Is your goal to just get rid of the pain and symptoms? Do you want to prevent the problem coming back? Do you want to maintain the optimal health you can achieve? Your answers to these questions will determine how often you should have chiropractic care. You will be recommended a treatment plan depending on your complaint, the duration of the problem, and your own individual needs and goals.

Can chiropractic treatment prevent the problem coming back?

Once we have corrected the initial problem and you are stronger in the muscles after recommended home exercises, we recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups which will maintain your health at its optimum thus reducing the likelihood of recurrences. Like many other medical experts and dentists are recognising, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing conditions and minimising the development of new injuries.

Coming back periodically minimises spinal and nerve irritation, reduces recurrences of old problems, prevents new problems, slows degenerative changes, which overall enhance your health and well-being.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No, chiropractors are first contact physicians and are so defined in regulations. Following a consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis under chiropractic care or refer you to the appropriate health care provider.

How do I select a doctor of chiropractic?

You can locate a doctor of chiropractic by browsing the Swedish Chiropractic Association (LKR) website www.lkr.se. This is an organisation within SACO and SRAT the academic trade union, and represents university educated chiropractors in Sweden. All current members have been educated abroad as no Swedish chiropractic school meets the academic requirements set by the European Council on Chiropractic Education (ECCE). The ECCE is an independent authority that evaluates the quality of chiropractic educational establishments internationally.

Currently, there is only one group of registered chiropractors in Sweden with an internationally accredited academic degree – LKR. The Swedish Chiropractic Association (LKR) also belongs to the European Chiropractors Union (ECU) and the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). WFC have membership in the World Health Organisation (WHO). All members of LKR have patient and liability insurance.

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and injures from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Children can also experience pain from conditions such as scoliosis and from carrying school bags.

Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?

Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints and this is what makes the popping sounds – it’s the same as when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change in pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved.

What type of education and training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with emphasise on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements are very demanding – five years of academic full time professional study are the standard.

The education includes a minimum 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. Once graduated the first year of practice must be spent under the guidance of an experienced chiropractor.

Chiropractic is the only profession that has international education standards.

How important is it that chiropractors have an international education?

In order for chiropractic treatment to be safe and effective, then one must have good theory and good technique. The training to become an international certified chiropractic takes 5 years of continual fulltime education. In order to diagnose problems a patient presents with one needs a solid background education and the chiropractic education is very similar to that of a medical doctor.

Have all the registered chiropractors got the same education?

Unfortunately in Sweden there are chiropractors who do not have international certified education. The situation in Sweden is not the same as in other countries and therefore it has created some disharmony between these groups of chiropractors. Therefore, today there are two different groups of chiropractors registered with Socialstyrelsen, one of these groups have had their education in Sweden but their education is not to the gold standard of chiropractic education compared with other parts of the world such as England. A report in 2004 explains: (rapport 2004)

Currently, there is only one group of registered chiropractors in Sweden with an internationally accredited academic degree – LKR. The Swedish Chiropractic Association (LKR) also belongs to the European Chiropractors Union (ECU) and the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). WFC have membership in the World Health Organisation (WHO). All members of LKR have patient and liability insurance.