Yes. Chiropractic is a safe an effective treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions. As with any medical intervention, there are sometimes side effects but the vast majority of the time they are very minor, such as temporary stiffness or soreness. The chiropractor is fully qualified and registered with the General Chiropractic Council, so you can be assured that he is competent and safe. The chiropractor will discuss any potential side effects with you before treatment begins so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.

This is possibly one of the most asked questions chiropractors get! Quite simply the noise itself is the formation and dissipation of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid in the joint. It is not the sound of anything breaking, nor is it the sound of a bone going ‘back in place’. The point of the adjustment is to mobilise joints that are not moving the way we would want them to, and whilst it often comes with a cracking sound, it does not always. If you do not want to hear the crack then don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to restore that movement without it, please tell your chiropractor if this is a concern for you.

No! Please let your chiropractor know if you would not like to hear the cracking noise. There are many ways to treat a patient, and the ‘cracking’ is just one of them. So rest assured there is no need to be cracked if you do not want it, as the chiropractor will tailor your chiropractic care to your specific needs and preferences.

We believe your comfort levels are paramount to the therapeutic process, so whilst some of the treatment modalities used can be uncomfortable, the chiropractor will always work within your tolerance, and will stop immediately if you find it a little too sore. Rest assured though, that there will always be a different approach to take to achieve the same result.

A common misconception is that chiropractors only treat the back, but this could not be further from the truth. Chiropractors treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions across the whole body with a conservative approach. These range from acute and chronic back pain, mechanical neck pain, tension headaches, sciatica, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis to name just a few. For a more comprehensive answer to this question, please see our conditions page.

The number of chiropractic appointments required varies depending on the condition and its severity, making it difficult to provide a definitive answer. Our primary objective is to alleviate pain and discomfort which can take a treatment duration ranging from 1 or 2 appointments for some conditions to a course of 6 to 8 treatments for others. After your initial appointment, our chiropractor will assess your progress and provide a more accurate estimate of the treatment duration needed to achieve your desired outcomes. Once this has been achieved our focus shifts to preventing future episodes through rehabilitation. This phase is much less intensive as the chiropractor will assess for any weaknesses or movement pattern problems and prescribe exercises for you to work on at home.

While chiropractic care cannot magically 'fix' posture overnight, it can certainly play a significant role in improving and maintaining good posture. Various factors influence posture, including muscle strength, flexibility and daily habits. A chiropractor can work with you to assess which factors are involved with your poor posture and improve upon them over time.

Yes, acupuncture is just one of many treatment modalities the chiropractor has at his disposal. There is no extra charge for this, and the chiropractor will discuss with you if he thinks it would be useful.

Shield Chiropractic is conveniently located at 20 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LH. Our clinic provides a welcoming and comfortable environment where you can receive high-quality chiropractic care tailored to your individual needs. Click here to see our location on Google Maps.

There is some paid parking on Forth street, though if you struggle to find parking here, there are plenty of spaces at the St James’ centre nearby. We recommend allowing extra time for parking to ensure a stress-free arrival for your appointment.

While virtual consultations are not currently offered as a standard service, our chiropractor is open to accommodating virtual appointments on a case-by-case basis. If you're unable to visit the clinic in person, please contact us at enquiries@shieldchiropractic.com to discuss virtual consultation options.

No. At Shield Chiropractic we believe that nobody can predict exactly how quickly you will respond or how many treatments you will need. During your appointment you will be told roughly what to expect but you will never be pressured to block book appointments. We will assess and adapt our treatment to suit your specific needs and goals based on your progress and preferences.

Of course! Our chiropractor offers complimentary 10-minute phone consultations for individuals interested in exploring chiropractic care. During this call, you can discuss your specific concerns and learn more about how chiropractic treatment may benefit you. There's no obligation to book an appointment, and our chiropractor will provide honest guidance to help you make an informed decision about your health care options.

At your first appointment, our primary focus is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. This involves gathering a detailed history of your presenting problem and conducting a thorough assessment, which may include various physical tests and examinations. If chiropractic care is deemed suitable for your condition, you will have the option to proceed with your first treatment during this visit. For a more detailed breakdown of what to expect during your initial appointment, please refer to our What to Expect page.

If it is appropriate to do so, then the chiropractor will give you exercises. At Shield Chiropractic we hold patient empowerment over their musculoskeletal health as one of our highest values. A big part of that will be to encourage you to engage with the prescribed exercises so you can have more control over your recovery and improvements. Whilst you will likely see benefit from treatment without doing the exercises, we have found that the patients that respond the best are the ones who do their exercises.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement during your appointment. However, if you forget or prefer not to wear specific attire, we provide gowns for your convenience and comfort during treatment.

Item descriptionBooking your appointment is easy and convenient. Simply visit our booking page to view available appointment times and schedule your visit online. If you have any questions or prefer to book by phone or email, please don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you.

For the fees list at Shield Chiropractic please see our Fees page.

The first appointment will last an hour, and cover a full history, examination, verbal report of findings and your first treatment if it is appropriate. Follow-up appointments typically last 30 minutes, though extended appointments are available for more complex cases.

No, you do not need a referral from your GP to schedule an appointment at Shield Chiropractic. Our chiropractor welcomes self-referrals and is here to help you address your musculoskeletal concerns directly.

Currently you cannot get chiropractic care on the NHS. There are some areas of the UK that have a program called Any Qualified Provider (AQP), where NHS healthcare providers can refer out to selected chiropractic clinics, however the Lothians are not one of those areas.

There is a great deal of similarity between chiropractic, osteopathy and MSK physiotherapy. Often these are distinctions without a difference, and it is mostly just important to find the practitioner who you trust and works well with you regardless of their title.

One key difference between chiropractic and physiotherapy lies in their treatment techniques. Chiropractors typically employ hands-on approaches such as mobilisation and soft tissue techniques, whereas physiotherapists often emphasize exercise therapy. However, it's worth noting that both chiropractors and physiotherapists may incorporate a combination of hands-on techniques and exercise prescriptions into their treatment plans.

The difference between chiropractors and osteopaths is similarly nuanced. Osteopaths may utilize visceral mobilization techniques that are less common in chiropractic practice, and there may be variations in the style of adjustment employed. Nonetheless, both professions share a fundamental focus on restoring musculoskeletal health and function.