Frequently Asked Questions

Dental Questions

Who are NHS services available to?

NHS dental care is available to EVERYONE, all members of the public and to NHS exempt patients. However, charges (detailed below) apply under the NHS depending upon your personal situation our reception staff will be able to confirm on whether you fall under the exempt category.

Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England?

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if, when your treatment starts, you are:

You can also get free NHS dental treatment if, when the treatment starts or when you’re asked to pay:

You’ll be asked to show your dentist written proof that you’re entitled to help with dental treatment costs upon registration.

What do NHS dental services include?

All treatment that is necessary in your dentist’s opinion to protect and maintain good oral health is available on the NHS. This means the NHS provides any treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain, including:

Dental implants and orthodontic treatment, such as braces, are available on the NHS, but only if there’s a medical need for the treatment.

NHS dental treatment does not include cosmetic treatments that are not clinically necessary, such as teeth whitening or veneers. Cosmetic treatments like this are used to improve the appearance of your teeth and make them look more attractive.

If you’re interested in having any cosmetic dental treatments, you should ask your dentist how much the private treatment will cost. Charges for any private treatment will be in addition to the charges for your NHS treatment.

What are the NHS Dental charges?

These charges are set by the NHS and were last reviewed 31/03/2011. Next review due: 30/03/2013
The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit us more than once to finish it. If you visit anotrher dentist for a separate course of treatment, you can expect a further charge. There are three NHS charge bands.

 
 
Chiropractic Questions

How long does the treatment take?

The first consultation takes, on average, about 1 hour, and a treatment session about 30 minutes, but this will vary according to your condition and your needs.

How long will it take to get better? 

Your recovery is dependent on many factors – the problem, the length of time you have had it and your own commitment to any rehabilitation exercises and maintenance visits which your chiropractor may recommend.

Some patients attend on a regular basis to help with the management of conditions which they are aware will never resolve, so the emphasis in these instances is on symptom relief and slowing progression whilst keeping independent as long as possible.

Because of the physical stress of their job or other activities, for some people it is beneficial to get a check-up every few months.

What is manipulation?

Manipulation is when a specific thrust of small amplitude is performed at a high speed to the stiff or restricted joint. Patient’s will usually feel and hear a click or pop. This is normal.

It is not a painful technique and in many instances can provide instant relief. It has the effect of restoring full range of motion to the joint by activating mechanoreceptors (sensory receptors) within the capsule of the joints. It also has the effect of altering the neuromuscular (nerve) firing within muscles to cause a reflex relaxation of the surrounding tight musculature. Simply, it helps to restore normal pain free motion.

Joint manipulation is not used on every patient and only where appropriate, depending on the patient's condition.

The clinical effects of joint manipulation have been shown to include:

·        Temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain.

·        Shortened time to recover from acute back sprains.

·        Temporary increase in joint range of motion.

·        Positive physiological effects upon the central nervous system.

What makes the clicking noise?

Lubricating fluids are found between the surfaces of the spinal joints. Some adjusting techniques move these surfaces apart very quickly. A bubble of gas forms in the liquid due to a change in pressure making a “pop” sound. The same phenomenon occurs when opening a champagne bottle.

Is it bad to 'crack' your own back?

If you are able to crack your own back the chances are that you are actually cracking those joints that already have normal movement. Self-manipulation is very unspecific and cracking those joints that have normal movement, increases the laxity of them, which may cause a degree of instability, which has its own problems.

Chiropractors are very skilled at manipulation. The forces are directed at individual joints in order to improve mobility whilst minimising stresses to other levels.

How is chiropractic different from physiotherapy and osteopathy?

Chiropractic and osteopathy share much common ground. Today there are probably more similarities than differences in terms of concepts and techniques used. The most important thing is that you find someone who you have confidence in, and who you feel comfortable with.

Can adjustments make my spinal joints move too much (hypermobile)?

Chiropractors only adjust joints that are hypomobile or locked up. Years of training focus on using the minimum amount of force needed to achieve this. Hypermobile joints are more likely to develop above and below uncorrected hypomobile joints resulting in spinal imbalance.

What training does a chiropractor have?

Chiropractors are highly trained primary contact health care professionals. On average a five-year, full-time university degree is required at an internationally recognised institution. The studies include anatomy, neurology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, diagnosis and manipulative skills to mention but a few.

Who regulates chiropractic?

By law, all chiropractors must be registered with, and are regulated by, the General Chiropractic Council.

 

Are you a registered fitter for ClaviBrace®?

Yes, we are the only offically recognised ClaviBrace® supplier and fitter in the South of England. ClaviBrace® represents advanced thinking on the management of clavicle fractures. It is an award winning bracing system which can return a displaced fracture to its original length and hold it in place to heal naturally, potentially avoiding surgery to plate or pin.