FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I make an appointment?

During the current Covid affected times we have a slightly different process in place. Firstly, we are working without receptionists for a while and so contacting us by email is the most efficient way to be in touch. If it your first time visiting Clinig Corff Ystwyth then please email us requesting an appointment and we will get back to you with a form to complete. Once we have this, we will arrange your full consultation. This needs to be in two parts: the first is an online consultation to take the details of the issue, the second is your thorough physical examination. Once we have completed this, we can arrange for you to begin your treatment. Due to time constraints, it is likely that treatment will begin on the visit following your examination, but each case will be considered individually.



How many sessions do I need?

This is a difficult question to answer, but some clinical guidelines may help: Research (and years of experience) tells us that some response to your visit should be seen following the first treatment and that a total of 2 to 4 appointments is probably necessary for the level of pain you are in to decrease satisfactorily. Once the level of pain or discomfort has reduced, the best use of our time will be to go through some advice, exercises and recommendations so that your improvement can be self driven. This may require a few follow-ups over a few weeks to monitor your improvement and to cover a few things that you will need to know. In cases of persistent, recurrent pain it is reasonable to expect up to 8 sessions of pain coaching before you are placed on either open ended appointments, or given occasional ‘booster’ sessions’. In either instance a lot depends on how well you can manage the problem and follow the advice and recommendations you will be given.



Will it definitely work?

We make no grand claims and offer no quick fixes. No treatment can ever claim to definitely work and all we can do at this clinic is do our best to help you as much as possible.



Do I need an X-ray or scan to find out what’s wrong with me?

X-rays are not usually needed to help diagnose the vast majority of cases of spinal pain. An MRI may be ordered in cases where it is suspected that there is an underlying cause of you pain that would need medical attention. Hedd can contact your GP to discuss this if needed and can refer you privately for MRI if needed. Blood tests are vital in cases where your pain may be caused by an inflammatory problem (such as Axial Spondyloarthritis). A thorough assessment of your case should identify cases that should be referred for blood tests or for a rheumatological consultation.



I've seen chiropractors before and know what I want. Can't I just get adjusted on the first visit?

We appreciate that your priority is to get better and we share this priority, but there are procedures in place that we must follow as set out by the General Chiropractic Council.

These procedures include undertaking a thorough assessment and physical examination and coming up with as accurate a diagnosis as possible. Following this we must report to you what has been found during the examination and ask you to provide consent to continue.

No chiropractor can by-pass these rules as they are in place to protect you.

Your treatment options will be made clear to you during your follow up appointment so that you can feel confident that you are given the correct and most effective recommendations to overcome the problem as efficiently as possible.

Please feel free to discuss anything about your treatment plan with Hedd.



I’ve seen YouTube clips where someone in pain is manipulated in a way that makes me scared – you wouldn’t do that to me would you?

Absolutely not. Hedd is especially interested in helping you overcome pain by taking control of the problem and learning how to cope with it so well on your own that you can be free from pain without the need for pills, surgery or any type of treatment. This means if you are being put off visiting the clinic because of these distressing clips then don’t be – that is definitely not the type of thing you will be offered.

Evidence shows that using manipulation in cases of short term back problems may be useful as what is known as ‘second line’ therapy - meaning it shouldn’t be the only thing you get, but it could help if used alongside advice and exercise. Recent evidence also suggests manipulating the back can be helpful with ongoing back pain, but again as part of a wider treatment package. It is still unclear who will respond to spinal manipulation and equally unclear as to who may experience an aggravation of their pain because of manipulation. Because of this it is probably better to leave manipulation out of the equation altogether, especially if you are nervous of receiving it in the first place.



Can I just book for a massage?

Once we are out of lockdown we will be resuming a more normal booking system whereby you can be referred to Ronnie for massage by Hedd to help your recovery or you can book to see her because massage is great!

We'll update this information as soon as we can.



What happens on my first appointment?

Your first (online) appointment will focus on the health questionnaire we will have emailed you out prior to the appointment. This appointment takes up to 30 minutes and we will discuss: - How the problem started. - How it affects you day to day? - What concerns you the most about the problem? - Who else have you seen about it and what did they tell you? - What would you most like to get back to that you have been avoiding because of pain? After this session we will arrange your visit to the clinic so that we can go through your physical examination. ​ During this 30 minute session Hedd will go through with you: - An examination of how you move when bending, squatting, twisting. - An examination of your balance and co-ordination. - An examination of how well your nerves are functioning in your arms and legs and possibly head in the case of neck issues. - Some tests to identify the most likely cause of your pain. - Feeling the painful area. - Checking other areas that may be contributing to the problem - for example, examination of the hips in cases of low back pain. - Checking your blood pressure.



When do I get some treatment - and what is the treatment?

Following your physical examination a short summary of what was found during the examination will be emailed to you. ​ This will include a guide to how many appointments may be necessary in addition to your initial 3 sessions of treatment which are included in your new patient package. ​ Your next visit to the clinic will begin with a chat about the report and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of the issue before proceeding to treatment. Here is an idea of what the rest of the session (and your subsequent sessions) might consist of: - Some information about what is causing your pain. - Guidance through some movements to choose that allow you to do more throughout the day without aggravating your pain. - How to relax the muscles around your spine using breathing techniques. - Advice on which exercise and exercises could be useful for you to improve your problem. - Some manual therapy that may reduce your pain in between visits.