What is chiropractic?
What chiropractic is and what it can do for you
Chiropractic is a health profession focused on the spine, the joints and how they relate to the nervous system. We use adjustments, mobilisation and exercise to ease pain and help you move better.
A chiropractor assesses how your spine and joints move, looks for the mechanical source of your pain and treats it by hand: adjustments (quick, precise manipulations), gentle mobilisation and soft-tissue work. We almost always add exercises and advice for home, because what you do between sessions matters as much as the session itself.
Most people come to us with lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches that start in the neck, or stiffness. Spinal pain is where chiropractic has the strongest scientific support, and it is where we focus.
In Spain chiropractic is not a regulated health profession. That is why it pays to see practitioners with full chiropractic training, the kind the Spanish Chiropractic Association (AEQ) requires of its members. The whole ColumnaQuiro team belongs to the AEQ. If it is your first time, what to expect at your first visit walks you through it.
What usually sits behind back pain?
There is rarely a single cause. These are the three kinds of load we see most often, and the ones we go through with you at your first visit.
Physical load
Long hours sitting or standing, lifting awkwardly, falls, pregnancy and the postpartum period, or ramping up training too fast.
Emotional stress
Ongoing stress raises muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders, and makes pain feel more intense.
Habits
Poor or short sleep, a sedentary routine and low muscle strength all make your back cope less well with daily life.
What the evidence says
These are the findings of the strongest reviews and clinical guidelines. We quote them as they are, including when the effect is modest.
For chronic lower back pain, spinal manipulation gives results similar to other recommended treatments such as exercise.
Rubinstein SM et al. BMJ 2019;364:l689 (systematic review and meta-analysis)
For acute lower back pain, spinal manipulation is associated with a modest improvement in pain and function over the first six weeks.
Paige NM et al. JAMA 2017;317(14):1451-1460 (systematic review and meta-analysis)
The UK guideline for low back pain and sciatica recommends manual therapy only as part of a plan that includes exercise, never on its own.
NICE NG59, Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s (2016, updated 2020)
What chiropractic does not do
It does not cure disease or replace your doctor. Go to A&E or your doctor first if you have weakness in your legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain after a hard fall or blow.
Do you want to start feeling better?
Whether you have an illness or want to boost your health, let us help you naturally. Our patients have improved their health and you can be next!
Book your visit