Chiropractic is a natural healthcare profession founded in the United States of America in 1895. Chiropractic works by freeing up interference between the mind and body using the hands. Chiropractors look for this interference (called subluxation, when an articulation is not completely out of alignment but far enough out so that it has an impact on the neuromuscular system) and release it through an adjustment to reconnect the powerful self-healing ability of the mind with the body. It is a safe technique that is extremely effective. This helps patients to heal, to overcome pain and symptoms, by focusing on strengthening the mind-body connection, rather than focusing on symptoms. Chiropractic has three major pillars: science, philosophy, and art, find out more about them here.

In Spain, it is currently against the law for Chiropractors to say that they treat conditions and personally I think this is a benefit for our profession since Chiropractors are supposed to be holistic (because we do not focus on the symptom – instead, we try to identify the cause of pain and suffering and work there). That said, it is important to recognise that patients do indeed claim that they get relief from Chiropractors for back pain, neck pain, headaches, organ pain, pain from accidents and injuries, pain from medical and dental operations, pain from sitting down for too long (like sciatica and piriformis syndrome), repetitive strain injuries, sprains and strains from sport, degenerative conditions like arthritis, as well as other conditions that are more psychological in nature like addictions, anxiety, and depression. 

How does this happen? Chiropractic is holistic in nature, according to our commitment to science, philosophy, and art. According to science (biomechanics, neurology), even though the body is composed of distinct parts, the presence of a symptom in one area can have a cause in another area because the body is dynamic and will always look to create a compensation to achieve balance (in biology, this is called homeostasis, in physics, this is called Newton’s third law of thermodynamics). A subluxation (bone out of place with a neuromuscular impact) in the upper neck creates a compensation in the lower back, a subluxation in the shoulder will create a compensation pattern in the hip, and so on. A skilled Chiropractor will take this into account when adjusting you.

This means that when a skilled Chiropractor is focused on adjusting your spine to remove subluxations and improve the connection between your mind and your body, amazing things can happen.

Chiropractic care is safe. There have been no recorded deaths following Chiropractic adjustments. However, there are a three important things that should be recognised in Chiropractic safety: focus; skill; and regulation.

Focus: In Spain, most Chiropractors operate in an “open room” (sala abierta), meaning that there are various patients in the consulting room at the same time. When you book a session with The Chiro Clinic, you will always receive one to one sessions. One Chiropractor, one patient. There is an open room with two tables, but this is reserved for double consultations for family members, friends, colleagues, etc. – and one to one sessions are always available. This means that your Chiropractor is completely focused on you throughout the session, from the moment you get on the table to the moment you get off the table. This not only allows for a safer and more effective adjustment, it creates the privacy that the patient deserves (it is a doctor’s appointment after all).

Skill: Safety in Chiropractic has a lot to do with skill, just like in any other profession. Dr. Michael is committed to lifelong learning, through continual participation in giving and receiving seminars (see my updated CV here), training the mind through meditation and the body to keep my adjustments specific and fast, and staying on top of the latest research in Chiropractic, Neurology, Psychology, and Nutrition.

Regulation: In Spain, the profession is not regulated by the government, so make sure you look for a Chiropractor who is registered and recognised by the Asociación Española de Quiropráctica. This is the only organisation in Spain recognised by the government of Spain that restricts membership to Chiropractors who have graduated from accredited Chiropractic schools (by the European Council on Chiropractic Education in Europe, and other Chiropractic Councils throughout the world). It is the only form of control in Spain currently, so it is a first step to ensure that Chiropractic in Spain is delivered safely by properly trained professionals. Beware the physio, “quiromasajista”, and others who claim to be “quiroprácticos” just because the Spanish legal system has not caught up with other countries in Europe that have already defined what Chiropractic is (and is not). 

A Chiropractic adjustment is the form of treatment that Chiropractors use. It is safe, effective, and performed by the hand or with simple hand-held tools. An adjustment is always performed to remove a subluxation. 

The different types of Chiropractic adjustment are:
HVLA: High Velocity, Low Amplitude. A very quick but shallow move to remove a subluxation from a joint. 
Low Force Techniques: Slower movements that work on younger people (babies and infants) and older people. This kind of technique is used more to help in cases of organ pain (for example pain in the stomach, the abdomen, inflammation, kidneys), pain and problems related to the jaw like bruxism, anxiety, and occlusion issues, and pains related to muscles like soreness and tenderness.
Toggle: A technique that uses oscillation (vibration) to adjust a subulxation. This technique is great for people who don’t like to be “cracked” but who have upper neck pain.
Energetic Techniques: These techniques use either the sacred geometry of the body (“BioGeometric Integration”) or specific energetic gateways (“Network Spinal Analysis”) to create change on the subtle level of the body. They are often used together work with breathwork, meditation, and visualisation. This type of technique is great for help with emotional issues (emotional instability), fatigue and tiredness (chronic fatigue, low energy, bad sleep), and to accompany people on the path of spiritual development.

In general, Chiropractic adjustments do not hurt. However, in some cases, we have to be aware that when the body has been stuck in an unaligned position for a long time, working with this part of the body in any meaningful way may cause some short-term pain and discomfort. In some cases, the body created misalignment to avoid pain. For example, avoiding walking on a painful ankle can create a subluxation in the hip, which over the years if untreated can create a inflammation in the hip. Adjusting the hip fixes the compensation, but the painful ankle may come up. Luckily, in The Chiro Clinic, all the joints in the human body are adjusted when needed.

The important thing to know is that the sound is not two bones hitting each other, or breaking, or ligaments stretching, or anything else. The leading hypothesis is that when a joint is move in a certain direction at a fast enough speed, then there is a drop in pressure inside the joint that creates a bubble of different gases. These bubbles then slowly dissolve, since they are a normal part of the joint. 
If a joint pops or does not pop is not the objective of Chiropractic. The objective is to adjust a subluxation, not to pop a joint. 

Chiropractic education is an interesting topic. At the top level, there is a “Council for Chiropractic Education”, which regulates regional bodies. In Europe, the body is called the European Council on Chiropractic Education (ECCE). The ECCE ensures that Chiropractic schools in Europe have the same standard and follow best practice according to European standards set by ENQA, the European body for regulatory agencies. 
The Barcelona College of Chiropractic is accredited by the ECCE, cerified as providing Chiropractic education to the relevant standard in Europe. The school is 5 years and has partnerships (when I attended) with the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona for human dissection, and with the Universidad de Pompeu Fabrá for the Master’s degree. 

Chiropractic care is appropriate for any animal with a central nervous system housed in a spine that wants to improve the flow of information between the brain and the body. This includes children – of course, the sessions, the techniques used, the recommendations, are all tailored to the age and context of the patient. 

Chiropractic care is appropriate for any animal with a central nervous system housed in a spine that wants to improve the flow of information between the brain and the body. This includes children – of course, the sessions, the techniques used, the recommendations, are all tailored to the age and context of the patient. 

Chiropractic care is appropriate for pregnant women – in fact, Dr. Michael did his final year research project assessing the use of orthopaedic pregnancy pillows used in Chiropractic for pregnant women with low back pain. Researching the importance of spinal care and posture in pregnant women was eye-opening, because pregnant women should not be taking any medication for pain. This leaves very few options for the pregnant women who finds herself in pain. 
In the clinic, I have three different sizes of pregnancy pillow to fit different sizes and shapes of pregnant women at the different stages of their pregnancy. To find out more, please book a session here.

No, you do not need a referral from another Doctor. Chiropractors who have graduated from accredited instutions are recognised as Doctors in the European Union. Our speciality is the spine, specifically subluxations – when a joint is completely out of place it is called a luxation, and when it is partially out of place but has a negative impact on the brain and the muscles, this is called a subluxation.

In Spain, certain insurance policies do cover Chiropractic care. This depends on your policy, so you will have to check with your insurance provider. Insurance policies from other countries (like the USA, Switzerland, and the Netherlands), are sometimes valid in Spain.

Before your first visit begins, you will be given a digital form to fill in with your basic medical history and your lifestyle factors. This gives the Chiropractor specific information about where to focus in the first visit, meaning that you get the benefit from having as much time as possible for physical interaction. 

In the first visit, the Chiropractor will do specific physical, neurological, orthopaedic, and Chiropractic tests to identify the causes of subluxations in the body. Then, in a safe and effective way, the Chiropractor will adjust these subluxations. Then, recommendations on further care and lifestyle changes will be given.

How often you should get checked and adjusted really depends on where you are at in your health journey. In The Chiro Clinic, we try to keep visits to a minimum. For people who have a lot of instability in their spine, once a week is recommended until there is enough stability to reduce the frequency of care. If you have extreme pain, problems walking, major complications with the intervertebral discs (like hernias, etc.), then various sessions a week may be an option in the very short term.

Everything depends on the first visit though, as Chiropractic can have great responses in just one session, when done right, with a focused Chiropractor working with the cause of subluxations.

Generally, Chiropractic is a very safe intervention. Common side effects can range from more energy to feeling sleepy, from more strength to feeling slightly sore the next day. Everything depends on the individual, because every body is different.

Chiropractic sessions range from 40€ to 150€, depending on the type of adjustment needed. The type of adjustment you need will be discussed with your Chiropractor in the first visit. The price reflects great value for money, since 40€ is the average price for a Chiropractic session in an open room – in The Chiro Clinic, you will not be in a room with other patients on the table, you will always have one on one time with your Doctor.

This depends on what type of appointment you need. If you have issues with your organs, stop eating and drinking 2h before the appointment. If you have problems with your jaw, brush your teeth before you come. Any other specific preparation will be explained to you before you come. 

The difference between Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, and Osteopathy is an important topic today, especially since some Osteopaths and Physiotherapists pretend to be Chiropractors, and some of them even use Chiropractic techniques without the necessary training.

Chiropractic is a philosophy, science, and art of finding subluxations (body parts that are slightly out of place creating disruption in the brain, body, and the mind-body connection), and adjusting (removing) subluxations with the hands. Chiropractors are Doctors who find the cause of symptoms and work there.

Osteopathy is a tradition that focuses on the symptoms of patients with the goal of increasing blood flow to the symptomatic area. It is generally not holistic, there is not a philosophy regarding vital force, and when they work on the spine it is called “manipulation”. Osteopaths are sometimes Doctors and sometimes not, depending on where they graduate from.
Physiotherapy is a profession that focuses on the symptoms a patient has. Physiotherapists are not Doctors, unless they do extra training, and mainly help people by working with the muscles.

TBC…