Category Archives: Blog

Prevent Spinal Wear & Tear

All of us suffer from degenerative changes but these may be mitigated by maintaining correct posture, muscle strength and flexibility.  Bending, twisting , lifting and sitting can all damage connective tissues and joints.

In our early years we still cause damage but our initial health and quickness of healing enable rapid recovery from injury.

By our middle age the spraining of elastic tissues accumulates and predisposes us to further, more significant, injuries. The intervertebral structures become more unstable.

In later years the spine demonstrates more aches and stiffness as the elasticity diminishes and the ligaments dry-out. Again, posture, diet, mobility and exercise help the body with it’s innate healing abilities.

Treating people who have scoliosis – lateral curvature of the spine

Scoliosis is a condition which causes the spine to have an abnormal bend or curve to it. It is something which usually affects the middle and lower back, with the curve often putting extra stress on areas such as spinal discs, ligaments and muscles. Despite the fact that some 2.5% of the world’s population suffer with this condition, scoliosis is not as widely a discussed subject in respect of pain and ailments we suffer. This is something being addressed, with more knowledge and understanding of the condition being promoted both here in the UK and around the world.

To start with the global perspective, we were delighted to see the focus being placed on this condition in America. The US recently held a Scoliosis Awareness Month, with the key objectives being to promote awareness of the condition and the many ways in which it can be treated. In respect of the latter, there is an assumption by some people that it can only be addressed through surgical correction. Whilst it is true that some diagnosed cases can only be dealth with in this manner, it is often the case that chiropractic treatment – and other forms of complementary therapies – can provide relief to sufferers.

Closer to home, the Scoliosis Association of the UK provides a valuable service in promoting knowledge and understanding of the condition. They provide exceptional information and the way it can be treated, with the knowledge they share being both comprehensive and easily accessible. One of the most important aspects of this is the assurance they give sufferers about surgery not being the only option. They discuss many of the complementary therapies which are available to those diagnosed with scoliosis.

As one of the most trusted chiropractors in Exeter we have over the years provided treatment and complementary therapies to those who suffer with the condition. Whilst in some cases the only way some patients can get relief from scoliosis is via surgical intervention, we find that our treatment and therapy is of exceptional benefit, providing pain reduction for the overwhelming majority of those that we deliver our service to.

Chiropractic care for exercise related injuries

Exercise is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. It provides a wide array of benefits including maintaining the function of your internal systems, and boosting your fitness, managing your weight, and improving the strength and stability of your soft tissues. Many people even find it relaxing and calming.

The crucial thing to remember with exercise though is that incorrect regimens can have the opposite effect, potentially resulting in damage and injuries. The wrong movements, lifting weights that are too heavy, and repetitive motions can all cause issues. It is vital that you do the right exercises and understand the stress these place on your body. This knowledge will help you to ensure you get the right amount of rest. Recovery time is important as failing to get enough speeds up the risk of injuries.

In some severe cases incorrect exercise regimens can result in pain and limited mobility. When this occurs you need to seek professional advice. If the symptoms are caused by a problem with your musculoskeletal system chiropractors can provide the help and treatments you need. They can take care of an array of conditions affecting bones, muscles, ligaments and nerves too.

Chiropractic treatment is not all about spinal adjustments. Chiropractors utilise an array of techniques including massage and tailored exercises to help improve conditions. Each of these can help to ease discomfort and pain caused by exercise. They can help start improving stability so you can return to your full range of motion.

At Clyde House Chiropractic Clinic we can offer tailored treatments for each patient, ensuring the service we offer is personal and designed with their needs in mind. Our team of chiropractors have served Exeter with pride for many years and continue to work very hard to deliver the very highest standard of care. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We will answer them and provide all of the information you like.

Is it safe to take my baby to a chiropractor?

At Clyde House our team is made up of two exceedingly well trained and experienced chiropractors, both of whom attended the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth. We have been providing services to Exeter for many years and no matter the problem, no matter the age, we endeavour to relieve you of your pain.

Of course it will be natural for parents to fear chiropractic treatments for their babies. Adult chiropractic procedures involve a lot of cracks and pressure; the approach for babies however is different. The adjustments are gentle and can often go unnoticed by them.

Your child has a spine and nervous system that must be cared for just like an adult, only the need is greater. Infancy and childhood are times of rapid growth and development for these parts of the body. In fact, between birth and the age of one, a baby’s spine lengthens by 50%; at no other time will the growth be so rapid. Chiropractors such as us examine and evaluate for proper movement functions and spine health.

There are some other important points to consider when it comes to chiropractic treatment for infants. In utero the baby is in a small space and can possibly be in awkward positions at times. The birth process itself can also cause traction on the spine and spinal cord and so it is always a safer option to see a chiropractor as soon as possible. Misalignments can have a presence in the cervical spine and pelvis too. These are very easy to treat and babies respond quickly.

At our clinic we provide a comfortable and relaxing experience for all of our patients. Each patient that comes to us is unique and so we provide them with a treatment experience that is catered to their individual needs. If believe you are in need of a chiropractor, we are the clinic for you.

The relationship between good nutrition and chiropractic care

Chiropractic treatments and nutrition can work side by side to help people improve their health and wellbeing. A number of chiropractors offer advice about the latter when they provide the former, helping to deliver a well rounded plan for their patient to follow.

So how does the right nutrition help when you are receiving chiropractic treatment?

A healthy diet is important because it ensures your body gets everything it needs to function properly. This includes maintaining your immune system as well as supporting vital organs, muscles, bones, and nerves too. If your diet is wrong it can affect the functions of your body and lead to issues.

The right diet can therefore help to reduce the risk of problems developing and support your recovery when you receive chiropractic treatment. The treatments can also have a benefit on your nutrition too. They help to ensure your body is aligned and posture is correct. This can help your nerves and digestion system to function properly. When the latter is healthy it helps your body to get the things it needs.

At Clyde House Chiropractic Clinic we are committed to offering the best level of treatment to all of our patients. We strive to offer well rounded services, delivered by a highly trained team with the right qualifications and experience you can rely on. With us you can expect the right support at all times, both during sessions with us and outside them if you need additional help.

If you suffer pain in your lower back, hip, foot or neck we can provide a careful diagnosis and a fitting treatment. We’ll share information with you about your condition so you know the source of the problem and explain exactly how the treatments we provide will improve it. We are based in Exeter and work very hard to hold our place as one of the best choices when you need help from chiropractors.

Prioritising the individual needs of patients

Over the last 20 years we have built our reputation as a highly respected chiropractic clinic. We have earned our position thanks to our caring approach and the fact that our chiropractors are highly trained. They will offer personal treatments for patients across Essex and ensure they are well cared for.

Behind surgery and medicine, chiropractic treatment is the third most used method in the healthcare industry. Its non-invasive approach makes it a favourite as both a complementary and standalone service. Our clinic is unique to many that are found in the country as it offers an environment similar to one you would find in your own home rather than one you would find in a surgery. This helps to make patients feel more relaxed during their time with us.

The first step towards diagnosing your symptoms is to take a detailed history of your health, both past and current, to help narrow down the possibilities and make a definitive diagnosis. To eliminate certain conditions, orthopaedic and neurological tests may be carried out and, although they aren’t usually required, we may carry out an x-ray examination. After identifying the problem, treatment options will be discussed.

With the huge variety of patients we treat, we have to make sure that our treatments are performed extremely carefully. Patients with severe conditions and those who have experienced symptoms for a long period of time may require a more delicate touch. Chiropractic care can be beneficial for the elderly due to the weakening of ligaments, muscles and other spinal tissues. We work to provide a strategically effective and safe treatment plan. We also employ gentle techniques to aid pregnant women who suffer from back pain.

Our clinic takes every precaution to ensure that your treatment is not only effective, but also as safe as it can possibly be. We prioritise your health and well being above all else and we go the extra mile to give you the service you deserve. If you find yourself suffering from pain, contact us at Clyde House Chiropractic Clinic to arrange an appointment.

Helping you heal from ankle injuries

It would be true, generally speaking, to say that most people would associate chiropractic treatment with resolving problems associated with the back and spine. This is quite understandable, and it is the case that many of the treatments we provide are related to this part of the body. The benefits which can be brought to helping recovery from injuries in other parts of the body should not, however, be overlooked. Ankle injuries are in particular something we have helped people recover from.

There’s a school of thought which suggests that ankle injuries are one thing virtually all of us experience but very few of us ever think to address directly. Sprained or twisted ankles occur when we take a misstep, and all the more often when we walk on uneven or elevated surfaces. When this kind of injury is experienced it’s usually the case that our instinct tells us to reach for pain killing medication to address it.

One thing we would not do in treating ankle injuries is suggest that pain killing medication should not be used. The pain, in particular shortly after the injury is suffered, can be excruciating. It’s perfectly understandable and quite reasonable to want relief as soon as possible. What we would say, however, is that a reliance of medication alone to help you fully recover from an ankle injury is not the only option available to you.

Many people today prefer to explore the ways and means of recovering from injuries which do not rely on medication alone. The chiropractic treatment we provide has, for several years, enabled people to achieve this type of recovery. By taking an individualistic approach to your ankle injury we are able to assess and address the pain in a way that focuses exclusively on achieving your recovery. The majority of people find this to be more comforting to them, and preferable to the rather generalised way medication alone would work.

Our chiropractic treatment is mostly called on to help people get relief from pains experienced through neck and spine conditions. We are able to bring this relief to you when you experience injuries or pain in other areas of your body, as is the case with your ankles and legs too.

Long term relief from leg pain

When we feel pain or discomfort in a part of our body our natural instinct is to take it as fact that this is the area which needs treatment. When we, for example, have a stiff or sore neck, it would be normal for us to reach for it and gently massage it in the hope of making it less painful and more flexible. In quite a number of cases this instinct proves correct, in particular when the part of our body has been directly affected in an accident. There are, however, times when the area in which we feel pain is not where that pain is coming from.

One of the most commonly experienced examples of the above is when we suffer from leg pain. Whenever you get an uncomfortable or painful feeling in your legs it would be quite instinctive to either rub them or shake them around in the hope of easing the feeling. The sensations experienced can be anything from a numb feeling to sensing sharp, stabbing like pains. Although it’s easy to understand why the reaction to this would be to try and comfort our legs directly, quite often these painful feelings are being transmitted from the lower back.

If you stop and think about your own experiences for a moment, you should be able to recall that leg pain is normally a downwards feeling, which is to say that it feels like it spreads from your hips down towards your knees and feet. This is the pain showing us – in a sense – the point from which it’s coming. When we trace the pain to its point of origin, in the majority of cases it goes to the lower back.

People with persistent leg pain often feel that the best approach is to treat the area directly with creams, lotions or tablets. We can understand why people do this, but at best this will only deliver short term relief. What you really want is the comfort of long term relief from the pain. Our chiropractic therapy and treatment can bring this comfort to you. We’ll determine both where the pain comes from and why it’s occurring, and will provide you with the treatment you want and need to feel better.

At Clyde House you can get fantastic treatment from experienced chiropractors and enjoy the very best support. Please contact us today to discuss your symptoms and arrange an appointment.

Putting your health at the forefront of our treatment

A common view of chiropractic treatment is that it can be used to treat pain without either medicine or surgery. While this is true in many cases, it should not be seen as a sign that chiropractic therapy is always entirely independent of other forms of treatment. When it is clear that there is a potentially serious problem with a patient, we would always refer you to a fellow medical professional who can provide the most suitable help.

The best way to illustrate this is with an example of a scenario which would see such a referral happen. We’d like to stress that such cases are rare, but with that in mind, let’s take a look at how we treat problems and pain associated with the lower back.

When a new patient comes to us we always begin with a complete and comprehensive diagnosis of the problem. This involves us carrying out an examination of the areas where pain is being experienced, as well as discussing activities, injuries and events which might have contributed to the problem. In most cases our chiropractic therapy can provide relief from the condition in a way that has long lasting effects. Should we identify symptoms that are usually associated with either a blood or bone infection, we will always advise you to seek the diagnosis of a medical professional who specialises in that field.

One of the greatest benefits of chiropractic treatment is that it offers relief from pain without relying on medication. While this is the preferable approach for many to take from a health perspective, there are instances where it can be unavoidable. Our chiropractic therapists will always use their skills to relieve you from pain while always placing your health and wellbeing at the forefront. If you are experiencing pain in any part of your body, don’t put up with it any longer; get in touch with our team and find out how we can provide sensitive, supportive and tailored treatments to relieve your discomfort.

Don’t let neck pain and poor mobility affect your quality of life

People can be affected by neck pain for a number of reasons, whether it is poor posture, damage following a heavy impact, incorrect sleeping position, or repetitive movements. The problem can result in a drop in your quality of life, including pain and reduced range of motion.

Neck problems can be particularly troubling for people when it comes to driving. Being in charge of a vehicle requires full mobility of the neck so you can check mirrors, blind spots and the location of other road users. A diminished range of motion and pain can affect the ability of the driver, leading to increased hazards and safety concerns.

The issue may ease over time but if you don’t get the right treatment neck problems can become recurring. Chiropractic care can be used to tackle issues, helping to reduce pain, strengthen soft tissues and improving mobility. The gentle treatments they offer work well alongside the things you can do at home to improve your condition. Together they can provide fantastic results.

The great thing about seeing a chiropractor is that they can effectively diagnose the problem by doing a series of tests and asking you about your lifestyle. The information they gather is used to create the treatment plan, ensuring it is focused on helping to improve the condition. This allows the treatment to target the underlying problem rather than simply alleviating the symptoms the patient experiences.

At Clyde House Chiropractic Clinic our team of qualified chiropractors can tackle a wide range of neck issues and work with patients to improve their health. We utilise an array of different techniques, including gentle manipulation and soft tissue work. Each patient will receive the best support throughout their time with us, including information about their condition, details of the treatment and advice about lifestyle changes they can make too. If you need help from a specialist in Exeter please contact us. We are based in St. Thomas and serve clients from all across the city.