Roots Chiropractic
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural healing art that respects that your body has an inherent drive to heal naturally and thrive in life. We recognise the importance of your nervous system (central communication system) in this role, we aim to support this system by making corrections to the spine to take stress off your nervous systems ability to heal and regulate normal processes. When your body is working normally again, you can heal more efficiently specific to your current health situation.
How is Chiropractic different?
Chiropractic specialises in specifically analysing the spine and its concomitant structures with the aim of facilitating improved normal function of the body to help you heal naturally. This analysis is performed using a number of techniques that use specific “indicators” or signs that your Chiropractor uses to determine exactly when to adjust, where and how whether you have symptoms or not. We do not perform general manipulative techniques. We pride ourselves on precision. Determining the exact areas that are stopping your body recovering and functioning at its best.
Is there parking?
Yes we have on-site parking. 2-allocated spaces outside our practice, a number of available visitor spaces further down on the premises. Additionally there is free 2 hour roadside parking less than a 1-minute walk away.
Where are you located?
We are conveniently located just a short distance outside of Horsham Town Centre, heading away from East Street.
What do chiropractors treat?
We see a lot of previously diagnosed conditions and complaints in our practice – such as migraines, different headache diagnoses, lower back pain, sciatica and other radiculopathies. We don’t treat conditions directly. Instead, we take a holistic approach that focuses on improving the function of your nervous system to help your body function at its best. When the body is free from nervous system interference, many people experience improvements in a wide range of areas - such as headaches, back pain, sleep, energy levels, behaviour, mental health and overall well-being - as a by-product of restored normal functioning.
What techniques do you use?
We offer a range of techniques tailored to each individual, including:
Our adjustments are tailored to each individual that enters our practice. We understand that everyone is unique in their history, current state of stress, pain levels, body shape etc. Therefore, we utilise approaches that ensure we can tailor for you. We use a number of “classic” adjustments commonly associated with Chiropractic care. We use deeper structural and gentler tonal techniques to ensure you are receiving exactly what you need at the correct time.
Your adjustment is always based on how your body is presenting on the day of your visit.
How long does an adjustment take?
Each session includes a pre-check, the adjustment itself (if required), and a post-check. The time for each check and adjustment uniquely varies depending upon how you are presenting on the specific day – what you need, what your current state is and what your body is ready to use for change. Generally, leave up to 15mins for each check and adjustment.
How long will it take?
The answer to this common question is: it depends. Each individual is different and responds to care differently. Symptomatically, some people begin noticing changes quickly as their system begins to regulate, while others require more time as there systems have more patterns of trauma, daily stress etc. to recover from. Our focus is on supporting your nervous system to improve your naturally ability to regulate, recover and heal. This is why we do our assessment process first and use the care plan approach that we do, to ensure that we are supporting your continual growth and change, using our specific measures to determining exactly what you need.
Our focus is to attain sustainable change - not quick fixes - so you can build a healthier, more resilient nervous system over time. Naturally, the more you can do to support your recover process the better.
What is the practice environment like?
Our practice offers a warm, homely environment where every individual is welcomed and respected. We honour your personal story and work with you wherever you are in your health journey. We see a wide range of people from all ages – including older adults, pregnant and perinatal women, infants, children. It is our goal to continue to provide an environment where everyone is welcome and respected, no matter their health goals.
How do you track progress?
Tracking progress is very important to ensure that we are achieving our objective or reducing the stress on your nervous system to enable normal healing function and improve your ability to thrive.
We assess progress through our assessment processes:
Technique Assessment – The specific techniques that we use ensure there are indicators that we can check for each visit to ensure that we are monitoring your progress and what needs to be done to continue supporting your health with Chiropractic.
Movement Testing – This is crucial as much of our movement is dependent upon how well our spine is functioning.
Tonal Assessment – Pressure testing manoeuvres and palpation coupled with our movement testing helps your Chiropractor understand and track the ability for the your tissue to maintain appropriate tone that supports your cranio-spinal function.
Neurological Testing – We use neurological testing such as somatic and cranial nerve reflexes, strength, sensation and co-ordination testing to monitor how our care is changing your body’s physical functioning.
Neurological Scanning –
We use Insight Scans to measure and track neurological change over time. These include:
- Thermographic scans
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Thermal checks of the spine
These advanced tools (from INSiGHT CLA) help us objectively assess how your nervous system, namely the autonomic nervous system, is functioning and adapting as care progresses. This in a way that your Chiropractic can explain to you simply so you can further understand how your nervous system is functioning, using state of the art technology. This technology can be used with all ages.
Do you take X-rays?
We do not take X-rays in our practice. However, we have access to X-Ray facilitates that we can use for next-day referrals.
For complex cases – commonly those experiencing headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, or a previous head trauma - we may refer for specialised CBCT imaging to our trusted referral source 3BEAM in Harley Street, Central London. This helps us better understand what is happening structurally so we can plan the most effective and specific Chiropractic adjustments for you. We are one of the only offices in the UK that can offer this service and apply it to our care plans. Our current referral source 3BEAM charge £200 for this service which is settled by the practice member.
Who can benefit from Chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is suitable for people of all ages and walks of life - from newborns and pregnant mothers to athletes and older adults. Because we focus on the nervous system, anyone seeking to enhance their overall health, adaptability, and quality of life can benefit from chiropractic care.
How do you support family health with Chiropractic?
We love caring for families! Chiropractic helps support the health and function of every family member by supporting your ability to adapt and heal. When your body is more adaptable you can manage life’s stresses easier - whether physical, emotional, or chemical. We often see whole families under care - from newborns to grandparents - because when one person’s health improves, the whole family benefits. Regular chiropractic care can support better health and function for you and your family. We have a number of family benefits to ensure your loved ones can experience optimal nervous system health.
Will I need to undress for my adjustment?
No, you won’t need to undress. Chiropractic adjustments are done clothed. We simply ask that you wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement so we can accurately assess, and adjust, the spine when needed.
I’m pregnant — can I still see a chiropractor?
We love supporting our pregnant mothers and mothers to be! Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe, gentle, and very beneficial. Pregnancy can bring many changes to your posture, comfort and stress levels. Our care helps support your body with aches and pains, movement and recover to ensure you are thriving every step of the way.
We use specialised pregnancy pillows and gentle techniques that accommodate your growing bump, and we love caring for expectant mothers through all stages of pregnancy.
We support and encourage those in the peri-natal period to seek and utilise Chiropractic care!
What can I expect for my first visit?
Your first visit is all about understanding you and your story. You can expect a warm welcome, our full attention to your health concern and a thorough, detailed assessment that will give us a comprehensive understanding of the state of your body and how your nervous system is being impacted.
You and your Chiropractic will a conversation about your what brings you in, your health history, health goals and any questions or concen. Then, we’ll perform a thorough physical Chiropractic assessment that will include:
- A full structural, tonal and neurological assessment
- A digital posture assessment to determine the impact of your posture on your function
- Neurological scans that measure the impact nervous system is functioning. This is clear, objective data on how your nervous system is being impacted
From there, your Chiropractic will analyse your findings. Outline a care plan tailored specifically to your needs. Time is required to study your findings first, therefore, an adjustment is not typically offered until your second visit.
During your results session, your Chiropractic will explain what they have found, how this is impacting your optimal function and explain the steps that will be taken to get you back to your best, we will always explain what we’re doing beforehand so you feel comfortable and confident throughout your visit. If both you and your Chiropractor have agreed upon your care plan, you may choose to receive your first Chiropractic adjustment.
What can I do for my children?
Children respond beautifully to chiropractic care. From birth onward, their spines and nervous systems are learning and adapting constantly to support their rapid growth and development. Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic adjustments help ensure their bodies can adapt well and function at their best. An optimal functioning nervous system lays the groundwork for optimal health and wellbeing!
Parents often notice improvements in posture, mood, sleep, focus, coordination, and general wellbeing after their children begin care. Our techniques are very gentle and can be utilised for all ages – often using only the light pressure you’d use to check a ripe tomato.
Do you treat neurodevelopment disorders in children?
Many of our current Practice Members see us having been diagnosed or previously experience symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattention, delayed milestones, emotional regulation challenges, restless, anxiety etc. Some of these Practice Members have been previously diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Tic Disorders and other sensory processing issues.
Chiropractic does not treat these disorders – we support our children by improving the normal, regulated function of their nervous system. Our approach is always gentle, respectful and tailored to each child’s unique needs – helping their nervous systems work more efficiently and support their overall wellbeing.
Will I have to pay upfront for care?
No you will not have to pay upfront for care if you do not choose. We provide a number of options for payment, depending on how many visits your Chiropractor understands that you will need will determine how you will want to pay for care. No upfront costs are ever necessary to settle your care.
Can I bring my kids with me?
Yes, children are welcome at Roots Chiropractic.
Why do I hear stories about other non muscukuloskeletal problems improving?
Chiropractic for a long time has been associated with improvements in other areas than pain – such as improved energy levels, sleep, digestive problems, mood, better regulated behaviour, feeling a increase in overall wellbeing and robustness. Chiropractic does not specifically treat or create such outcomes, we support normal functioning of your nervous system – as a happy by-product of a more regulated state, these other changes can be reported by our Practice Members.
What do you want to do more of?
If you would like to see what you can achieve with Chiropractic – Book in a New Client Assessment. Our Team are excited to see how best we can serve you, your family and loved ones!