Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to email in your own questions
Q: What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
Q: How do I know if I have a muscle injury or a spinal problem?
Q: Are x-rays safe? And are they necessary?
Q: Can I claim for treatment on my insurance?
Q: How long will it take to fix my problem?
Q: How much does treatment cost?
Q: What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
A: The main difference is chiropractors are specialists in the spine and nervous system, whereas physiotherapists are experts in muscle injuries and rehabilitation.
Q: How do I know if I have a muscle injury or a spinal problem?
A: Most people (and even some health professionals) cannot tell the difference. The bodies natural reaction to a spinal joint or disc injury is to tense the muscles of the spine in that area. So often the muscles are treated but the spinal problem is left undiagnosed. That is why the doctors at The Ulster Spine Centre perform a thorough examination and may even take x-rays to build a better picture of the condition of the spine.
Q: Are x-rays safe? And are they necessary?
A: The Ulster Spine Centre has an ADANI digital slot scanning x-ray system. This is a specially designed machine that produces a fraction of the x-radiation of standard x-ray machines. It is currently the only one of it's kind in the whole of Ireland. For a comparison, because you are exposed to radiation in the upper atmosphere, a person receives the same amount of radiation flying from Belfast to New York as they would from a set of x-rays at the clinic.
X-rays are necessary when the doctor finds something on examination that requires further investigation. For example, if a patient comes into the clinic with an undiagnosed spinal fracture, osteoporosis, or even an aneurism, an x-ray will detect it. If a patient with one of these conditions had received treatment without checking their spine on x-ray, they may have been injured.
It is also necessary to take an x-ray to assess the shape and condition of the spine. There is no other known way (besides MRI or CT scan) to accurately measure spinal misalignment and wear.
Q: Can I claim for treatment on my insurance?
A: The Ulster Spine Centre is registered with various health insurance companies. It is best to ring first and check that your policy covers you for treatment. Then contact the clinic to confirm that we are a registered provider for that company.
Q: How long will it take to fix my problem?
A: That is the first question most people ask. However every problem is different and people respond differently to care. As a general rule, the clinic has success in getting patients moving and feeling better within approximately 12 visits. Once this is achieved it is up to the patient whether they wish to continue with rehabilitation and posture correction to prevent the problem from recurring.
It is important to understand that there are no quick fixes - in any health profession! Often patients have left the problem untreated for months, even years, before seeking help. Doctors and therapists will work to the best of their abilities to help the patient to heal and provide advice on prevention and maintenance.
Q: How much does treatment cost?
A: With health insurance or a cash plan from Healthsure, for example, the cost to the patient is minimal. A standard chiropractic treatment is between £20-£29, a half hour session of physiotherapy is £30, and an hour massage is £45.
On the other hand, in 2007 the direct cost of employee absence due to back pain was £517 per employee per year. This is why we offer business our Wellness @ Work days. Our doctors will come to your place of work, perform workstation assessments, provide free posture analysis and spinal health checks, and a talk on injury prevention in the workplace. For more information on this service, contact Tracey on 07546157296 or email workbetter@ulsterspinecentre.co.uk
