FAQ

6.

                  Chiropractor Treatments for Sciatica and Spine Pain?

Yes. Chiropractors treat sciatica by addressing the spine and surrounding muscles, alleviating pain, numbness, and tingling caused by nerve compression.

7.

                 Safe Chiropractic Care for Spine and Posture Health?

Chiropractors are highly trained spinal specialists. Their treatment, including manual adjustments and supportive massage, is very safe when performed by experienced practitioners.

8.

Sports Chiropractor: Spine & Muscle Care with Massage?

Sports Chiropractors treat sports-related injuries and pain, from repetitive strain injuries like shin splints and tennis elbow to running or lifting-related spine issues.

9.

 Lower Back Pain Relief with Chiropractic and Spine Massage?

For lower back pain, a Chiropractor identifies underlying causes and uses structural adjustments combined with targeted massage.HVLAT (high-velocity low amplitude thrust) is a common technique to free up restricted joints in the lower back almost instantly, reducing pain and improving spinal mobility.

10.

 How important are the glutes?

Strong glute muscles are essential for spine health and proper posture. They reduce lower back pain, improve pelvic stability, and help evenly distribute load through the spine and legs. Chiropractors often combine posture exercises with targeted massage to keep the glutes and back muscles healthy.

1. Reduce back pain

Your gluteals are responsible for hip extension and assist their reverse action.  Strong gluteals are essential to lower back health since they assist with pelvic, hip and trunk motions. They also help more evenly distribute load throughout your lower back and lower extremities and assist in good posture.

2. Reduce knee pain

Your gluteal muscles maintain pelvic stability; which is especially important when your lower extremities function in a closed chain. For example, if you twist your ankle, you can also have imbalances at the knee and further up the leg. The same thing can happen if instability begins at the hip, leading to excessive force on the knee and ankle. That can mean knee pain or discomfort.

3. Increase power and exercise performance

Your gluteals assist in walking and forward propulsion during running by creating explosive hip extension. They are essential to acceleration, jumping and even heavy lifting. If your gluteal muscles get weak, walking and climbing stairs will become difficult.

11.

What is the meaning of no gain without pain?

This is an interesting one, as i would say, “it is necessary to suffer or work hard in order to succeed or make progress”. The saying highlights that improvement requires effort. Clients seeking spine health and better posture often experience temporary discomfort. With guidance from a chiropractor, plus massage therapy and corrective exercises, patients can relieve pain safely and strengthen their spine.

12.

              What service do we recommend for Back Pain?

Chiropractors focus on spine alignment, posture improvement, and pain relief. Treatments include spinal adjustments, corrective posture exercises, and therapeutic massage, helping clients achieve long-term spine health.

13.

   Deep Tissue Massage for Spine Health, Posture, and Chiropractic Care

Deep tissue massage reduces muscle tension, improves circulation, and enhances spine health. It also supports proper posture and relieves back stress. Chiropractors frequently incorporate therapeutic massage therapy into treatment plans to strengthen muscles along the spine and improve overall posture and mobility.

14.

Can massage help with symptoms of depression?

Massage therapy is very beneficial for the mind. Studies show that a massage heightens levels of oxytocin and serotonin, which are chemicals that can boost our mood and reduce stress, anxiety and therefore the symptoms of depression. Yes. Massage therapy elevates serotonin and oxytocin, which reduce stress and improve mood. For patients with posture-related tension along the spine, regular massage also relaxes tight back muscles, supporting both mental and physical wellness.

15.

What is the weight of a human head?

A human head weighs between 7-14 pounds. Essentially the weight of a bowling ball on your neck, daily.Poor posture amplifies this load, potentially causing neck and back pain. Chiropractors recommend posture exercises and spinal adjustments, sometimes combined with massage, to reduce strain.

16.

Why do I keep having muscles spasms in my back?

Muscle spasms protect the spine from further injury but often indicate underlying weakness. Chiropractors assess posture, spine alignment, and muscle tension, combining spinal adjustments with massage therapy and exercises to prevent future spasms.

17.

     I am prone to injury in sport, are you a sports injury clinic?

Yes. Our chiropractors specialize in sports-related injuries, improving spine alignment, posture, and muscle health. Treatments include massage therapy, shockwave therapy, and corrective exercises to promote faster recovery and prevent future injuries.

18.

 How to manage a headache lasting 24 hours?

If the headache is unexplained, consult your GP or emergency services, particularly if the vision is becoming impaired. If spine-related, headaches may be caused by tight neck or upper back muscles. A chiropractor can improve spine mobility and posture through adjustments and targeted massage. Hydration, rest, and proper posture alignment also reduce recurrence.Dehydration can also cause headaches, therfore increasing water intake may also help. Book with one of practitioners to see if we can help.

19.

         What are the most common sport injuries and how to treat them?

Shoulder Pain, Disc Bulges / Slipped Discs, Athletic Performance, Sleep problems, Sport Injuries, Hip problems, Knee and ankle pain, Neck Pain, Mid Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Sacroiliac Joint Issues, Headaches, Dowager’s Hump, Bad Posture, Range of Motion Issues, Lack of Mobility Issues, Balance and Coordination, Arthritis, Fatigue, Knee Pain, Scoliosis, Loss of Strength, Fibromyalgia,  Breathing Problems, Muscle Stiffness, Sprains and strains, Knee injuries, Rotator cuff injuries, Fractures (broken bones), Dislocations.

If you get hurt, stop playing. Continuing to play or exercise can cause more harm. Treatment often begins with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area from moving, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery. 

20.

  Who is the Best Chiropractor or Osteopath in Guildford and Surrey?

Andrew Lakmal, Director of Back To Health Wellness, took over Back to Health Chiropractic Clinics Guildford in late 2017. His vision has always been to create a “multidisciplinary wellness model” for individuals and families alike. Back to Health Wellness is one of the longest standing wellness establishments having first opened its doors to the public in 1998. They offer a wealth of services including Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, Shockwave Therapy and Low Level Laser Therapy.

21.

Is my Back Pain a sign of Cancer?

Most back pain is not caused by cancer. While it is important to see a doctor any time you have pain that doesn’t go away, back pain is much more likely to be caused by something like a muscle or back injury or even arthritis.

22.

 Do Chiropractors Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes. Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia — a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. We use dedicated massage therapy and shockwave therapy to treat plantar fasciitis to good effect.

23.

 How Does a Chiropractor Help Improve posture?

A chiropractor can help to improve posture through spinal manipulation, the improved joint motion will help to increase movement in the whole spine, reducing tension in the surrounding muscles, allowing the body to ease into good posture with any pain.

24.

  What Causes Sciatica to Flare Up and How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Sciatica is a branch term used to describe the sciatic nerve being compressed somewhere along its origin in the lower spine to its termination in the big toe. Sciatica often flares up because the underlying cause has not yet been corrected. Sciatica can arise from weaknesses in the back and tight and restricted muscles in the buttock and lower leg. To reduces the chances of a flare up, it is important to maintain good posture.Following good posture techniques while you’re sitting, standing, lifting objects and sleeping helps relieve pressure on your lower back. Pain can be an early warning sign that you are not properly aligned. If you start to feel sore or stiff, adjust your posture.

25.

  Why Do Pregnant Women Often Experience Sciatica?

Whilst the increased weight during pregnancy does have an impact on sciatica, is not the main reason why pregnant women get sciatica. A better explanation is that certain hormones of pregnancy cause a loosening of their ligaments. Ligaments hold the vertebrae together, protect the disks and keep the spine stable. Loosened ligaments can cause the spine to become unstable and might cause disks to slip, which leads to nerves being pinched and the development of sciatica. The baby’s weight and position can also add pressure to the nerve. Gentle strengthening exercises such as the glute bridge exercise, can help to improve it’s stability and it’s ability to manage the increased weight gained through pregnancy.

26.

 What Are the Best sciatica stretches?

There are a few exercises to stretch the sciatic nerve, our recommendation is the sciatic nerve glide exercise.

• Sit upright on a chair and straighten one knee while keeping your other foot flat on the floor.
• Slowly bend your ankle so that your toes are pointing towards you.
• Continue to bend your ankle back and forth, pointing your toes away from you and then toward you.
• As tolerated, to put more tension on the sciatic nerve, try the same nerve glide with your head bent forward, bringing your chin toward your chest.
• Pump your ankle up and down 15 to 20 times and then repeat the exercise with your other leg.

Aim to complete 3 rounds for each leg, twice a day.

27.

 How to sleep with low back pain?

Lying on the side – but, with a pillow in between the knees, why? The pillow will keep the hips, pelvis, and spine in better alignment and in turn, alleviate pressure off the knee. Pay good attention to position of head and neck alignment in this position too.

Sleeping on the back – the key here is a small pillow under the knee which can reduce either knee or hip pain by decreasing the stress on the joint and in turn, the pressure on the back.

28.

 Why do I get pain in the back when breathing?

Pain in the back when breathing can be due to an imbalance in the breathing mechanisms that are related to the back. From my experience in clinic, I often find that people who have constant or intermittent back pain for months or years even, have some form of breathing issue. I believe this issue develops over time as a “defence mechanism” to protect the back by tightening or recruiting the core muscles to engage more than they need to. This is why Osteopathic treatment of the diaphragm for example, can potentially alleviate symptoms of back pain almost immediately.

29.

    Why is Plantar Fasciitis Worse in the Morning and How Can Massage Help?

Morning pain may result from reduced blood flow and tight fascia affecting foot posture and spine alignment. Chiropractors use massage therapy and corrective exercises to relieve tension and improve spine and posture health.

30.

 What is the difference between policeman’s heel and plantar fasciitis?

Policeman’s heel is another name for plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain. Chiropractors address this condition by improving posture, foot mechanics, and spine alignment. Combined with targeted massage therapy, this approach relieves tension along the spine, legs, and feet.

31.

 What is the best pillow to sleep with for neck pain?

The Original Groove® Pillow, formerly EasySleeper This pillow is designed to help return the neck to it’s ‘natural’ curve. Chiropractors recommend using supportive pillows to maintain good posture while sleeping and reduce tension that may require massage therapy.

32.

 What is the best mattress to sleep on for back pain?

A medium-firm mattress like the OTTY Original Hybrid helps maintain proper spine alignment and posture. Chiropractors often combine proper sleep surfaces with massage therapy to relieve back tension and support long-term spine health.

33.

  What Causes Knee Pain and How Can a Chiropractor Help?

The most common causes of knee pain are osteoarthritis, sprained ligaments, meniscus tears, tendinitis, runner’s knee, bursitis, i.t band syndrome. Common causes include osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and posture-related stress on the spine and lower body. Chiropractors improve posture, spine alignment, and joint function, often using massage therapy to reduce knee and back discomfort.

34.

Chiropractors treat Achilles tendon pain while improving spine alignment, supporting posture, and reducing tension. Therapeutic massage and corrective exercises along the calves, Achilles, and spine muscles help restore proper movement and prevent pain recurrence.

35.

 Pain in back when breathing?

Pain in the back when breathing can be due to a trapped nerve between the ribs, a strained back muscle, or even a spinal joint that is misaligned. Read our article here on how breathing can affect the mechanics of the back and lead to back pain.    

36.

  Can You Massage the Shoulders to Improve Spine and Posture?

Yes. Our Massage therapists are trained to help reduce tightness and pain in the neck and shoulders. A shoulder massage will help with increasing blood flow and movement within the shoulder joint. 

37.

    What is a Relaxation Massage and How Does It Support Spine Health?

A relaxing massage treatment will usually involve flowing strokes and kneading, performed at your chosen pressure. It’s a pain free therapy and an effective way to de-stress and relax the mind and body. Our massage therapists use a variety of techniques to promote relaxation in your muscles. See the different types of massage therapy we offer here.

38.

  Do you offer Massage in Guildford and Surrey?

Yes we do. Our massage service is extremely popular! As a result, we offer massage five days a week at our clinics in Guildford and Thames Ditton, Surrey. Check out our regular massage offers by clicking here.

39.

      How Many Massage Rooms Are Available for Spine and Posture Care?

We have 2 bespoke massage rooms at our Guildford clinic, where clients receive therapeutic massage alongside chiropractic treatment for spine alignment and improved posture.

40.

   What Types of Massage Therapy Do Chiropractors Specialize In?

We have a variety of options. Our most popular are sports massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point massage and relaxation massage. Find out more about our massage therapy here 

41.

                Best Chiropractic, Massage, and Spine Treatments for Posture and Muscle Tension

Chiropractors and massage therapists offer treatments for muscle tension along the spine and poor posture. Therapeutic massage, spinal adjustments, and postural exercises improve spine health, relieve tension, and restore proper posture. Addressing the root cause ensures long-term relief and optimal musculoskeletal wellness. Click on our Spinal Assessment or Therapeutic / Deep Postural Massage promotion. Either treatment will definitely help!

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