Grahamstown Family Chiropractic

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Telehealth….

Telewhat??

In short, this involves a video calling/digital consultation.

  • Chiropractors can ask all necessary questions to determine the cause of your problem, do an evaluation by asking you to point out the problem area, talk you through some basic examinations/movements, etc and then provide/demonstrate relevant home exercises, rehabilitation, stretches, advice on ice or heat, ergonomics, the basics of home based pain management, etc. This will also give you an opportunity to ask for advice and have any questions related to your problem explained.

  • It is, of course, a limited service in that it is mostly ‘hands-off’, and relies heavily on education, advice and home care. We will not be teaching you to adjust yourself or others, or teach you any of the medical procedures we have been trained to deliver ourselves – your safety is important!

  • Interested patients who feel they would benefit from a video consultation would contact us as usual to set up an appointment time. An emailed consent form needs to be completed to ensure that the nature of the digital consultation and the ‘hands-off’ approach is understood, as well as that this is a service that is chargeable. You would need adequate internet service, and a phone or device capable of video calling.

  • Fees rating to Telehealth have been negotiated, and most medical aids are on board to reimburse digital consultations. They will also be billed at a lower rate than a regular consultation, as it is obviously a limited service.

This is not an ideal position for us or our patients, but it is the best ‘middle-ground’ until we can all return to our regular routines – believe me, as Chiropractors we miss our hands on work terribly and can’t wait to have you all back in our offices, face-to-face!

 

 

 

 

As the Covid-19 pandemic crosses the globe, more and more primary non-medical contact health care practitioners are forced into a position of not being able to have face to face contact with patients. Lack of continuing care (in whichever form it may take) for these patients would be disastrous as musculoskeletal pain is the most prevalent, disabling and costly of all pains, accounting for nearly 70 million pain-related outpatient visits in the US each year. One alternative we have at our disposal in this time of crisis, is for chiropractic practitioners to be able to access their patients via virtual means. 

Chiropractic is a profession, not a technique. There is much to offer in terms of: evidence-based home-care, education, rehabilitation, exercise therapy and dietary advice to add value to the lives of patients during these unprecedented times. Education is a large component of every single health profession and there will always be something of value that Chiropractors can add to their patient’s lives. 

This does not only mean that chiropractic patients would not be abandoned at this crucial time but that the chiropractic profession may be able to take the strain off general medical practice by maintaining their patients well-being via remote, evidence based home care instead of these patients having to present to medical facilities which are already under strain and increase risk for patients contracting the Covid-19 virus. 

Telemedicine can be defined as the delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all healthcare professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries. The idea of manual medicine making use of digital means is by no means new, and wide ranges of research exist demonstrating the benefit of such a technology in the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Telemedicine has been shown to be a reliable and valid form of treatment that has resulted in improved patient satisfaction, patient outcomes and overall compliance from patients. In addition to patient compliance, those that have used telemedicine find that it’s more convenient, reduces costs and reduces absenteeism from work.

Digital health care is supported globally as the way forward with many countries recognizing the benefits and value of using digital modes of care delivery. In addition, patients who travel overseas for extended periods, may want to seek advice and reassurance from practitioners/healthcare professionals they trust.

Having telemedicine as an option allows the patient and practitioner to communicate, make an assessment and determine a treatment plan.
 

 

Cricket fan or player – be at your best with Chiropractic!

Cricket has been a staple of South Africans for generations. Whether it’s a simple game of garden cricket, or you’re in your full whites for an all-day match, from children to adults, if the sun is out in summer, cricket is in the air. Regardless of our World Cup antics, Cricket’s popularity among South Africans is not going to subside anytime soon!

But what are the risks of cricket, and how can Chiropractic help?

The repetitive, fast paced and enormous workload can, over time, misalign your pelvis. This is especially true among kids and teenagers whose spines are yet to mature. Rotations of the pelvis and the resultant postural distortions can, for example, make it appear as though one leg is shorter than the other. This is often mis-diagnosed, and orthotics and other external interventions may be used incorrectly. It can also create unnecessary strain on the lower back and may affect the function of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles, causing problems later in life.

Lumbar stress fractures can also be a common issue in adult cricketers, especially ones who have not treated an underlying pelvis problem.

The bowler has the highest risk of spinal stress fractures and injuries, especially to the lower back.

And it’s not just the pelvis that can cause problems. All along the kinetic chain, from the foot up to the neck, there is strain put on muscles and joints. Uneven or concrete cricket pitches can cause injury in the feet, ankles and knees. Incorrect shoulder function (throwing the ball, or even batting) due to a misaligned thoracic region can cause problems in the shoulders, elbows and wrists.

These (initially minor) repetitive micro-trauma injuries can develop into chronic pain. Correcting issues as they occur will help prevent future injury. For example, correcting pelvic misalignment at an early stage will take pressure off the lumbar region, helping to prevent stress fractures or other chronic overuse syndromes from occurring later in life.

3 benefits of regular Chiropractic care:

  • Manage Pain – regular Chiropractic can help you manage pain symptoms, as your spine is aligned your body is better able to deal with injury.
  • Promotes Healing – a well aligned spine and properly functioning nervous system helps to promote your body’s natural healing, speeding up recovering time.
  • Prevention – prevention is key in Chiropractic. By having a properly aligned spine, as well as fully functioning nervous system and properly mobile joints, you are less likely to be injured with your movements.

In countries all over the world, Chiropractors are a vital part of the medical team for national cricket teams. Chiropractic is encouraged to help keep players fit and healthy, and to help lengthen their careers.

Seeing a Chiropractor when these issues occur is smart. Seeing a Chiropractor before they become issues is inspired!