CAW is an opportunity for the profession to increasingly make Chiropractic part of the healthcare conversation and draw attention to how British Chiropractic Association chiropractors are an integral part of the UK healthcare system, reducing pressure on the NHS.

Commenting on the theme, Mark Jones from Well Adjusted Health said, 'Chiropractors provide patients with an option to access face to face, hands on care from a highly trained, regulated healthcare professional. Whilst there are chiropractors providing care in the NHS, the vast majority offer this in a private practice setting, meaning that patients can access care in the way that suits them. The global burden of musculoskeletal conditions is only growing, and chiropractors are well placed to be a part of the solution. Chiropractors are valued by their patients who reliably, come away with positive experience and high levels of satisfaction. My patients regularly tell me that they appreciate being able to engage with how their care is delivered, especially in a face-to-face environment.'

Good musculoskeletal health (MSK) is essential in maintaining a person’s function throughout their life. It is also fundamental to healthy ageing, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has characterised as ‘the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age’. MSK conditions can affect people across their whole life. Prevention, early detection and treatment can enable people to live in good health, remain independent and connected to their community. There are also economic advantages for society, such as reducing the pressure on health and social care services and reducing costs as a result of people being unable to work.
Each year, 20% of people in the UK see a doctor about a MSK problem, and the pressure on the NHS shows no sign of abating. Given this affects 17 million people, MSK conditions will continue to be a major focus for the Government, who have recently identified MSK disorders as one of 6 major conditions requiring attention and action.

The Government pledge to reform the way we tackle these conditions to include ‘whole person care’ is yet another example of how the approach chiropractors take towards patient care is being endorsed by modern policy. The Government’s model seeks to focus on ‘preserving good health’, and this is at the core of Chiropractic practice.

Long NHS waiting lists continue to be highlighted by the media and local care providers, such as GPs and FCPs (First Contact Practitioners), are looking for choice to address growing patient need. Understanding that they have a credible option for MSK conditions via chiropractors is key to giving patients access to all their available options.

Discussing this year’s Chiropractic Awareness Week activity, Catherine Quinn who is the chair of the governing body commented, 'Chiropractors are serving their local communities by offering credible and high-quality healthcare that patients truly value. Our members have used their clinical skill and experience to reduce the burden of MSK conditions on the NHS through their face-to-face, hands-on approach to care. With 17 million patients experiencing an MSK condition, it will take the breadth of professions across all settings to address this. If all members of the healthcare family adopted an integrated approach to care, celebrating the variety of regulated professions who can contribute to keeping the UK population in good health, we will stand a better chance of addressing the burden of MSK conditions. I look forward to celebrating how chiropractors are forming a part of patient’s healthcare team and working collaboratively with all healthcare providers to best serve their patients.'

At Well Adjusted Health we are increasingly seeing patients that have been directly referred from their local GP. We also communicate with GP’s to share findings and ensure that all healthcare providers are kept in the loop when necessary.

We also work with all the major private healthcare providers.

We still occasionally come across members of the public who think we only deal with backs, but increasingly we are getting enquiries for all sorts of MSK problems which of course we are only too happy to help with.
'Many patients like to come and talk to us about their condition and the treatment we offer before they commit, and we are always happy to do that.'

If you have a specific question regarding any pain or problem areas, or would like to book a Free 15 minute consultation for you or your family please call
Well Adjusted Health on 01903 892171