Services
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractors treat problems with your joints, bones and muscles and the effects they have on your nervous system. Working on all the joints of your body, concentrating particularly on the spine, they use their hands to make gentle specific adjustments (the Chiropractic word for
manipulation) to improve the efficiency of your nervous system.
Wickford Chiropractic can help improve:
- Back pain, neck pain and joint pains
- Hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis
- General aches and pains from joints
- Muscle spasms and cramp
- Sporting aches and pains
- Headaches caused by neck problems
- Frozen shoulder from back and neck problems
- Elbow pain or tennis elbow from back and neck problems
- Prevention of migraine
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can help to restore movement and function if you are affected by injury, illness or disability. It takes a holistic approach that involves you directly in your own care. Physiotherapy can be helpful for people of all ages with a wide range of health conditions including problems affecting the bones, joints and soft tissues such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and sports injuries.
Physiotherapy can improve your physical activity while helping you to prevent further injuries.
Some of the main approaches used by our physiotherapist include:
- Manual therapy
- Movement and tailored exercises
- Education and advice
- Specialist techniques such as acupuncture and laser
How massage can help
Whether you need to reduce muscle tension or find relief from chronic pain, massage can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical wellbeing. Massage therapy can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions and for the treatment and prevention of injury.
The benefits you may feel from a regular massage therapy treatment:
- Reduced muscle tension
- Improved joint mobility
- Reduced pain
Imaging
Finding the root cause of your condition is our top priority. Whilst not always necessary, imaging is sometimes needed to gain a more precise understanding of your condition. Thanks to our longstanding relationships with imaging centres in Essex, we can access highly competitive rates for x-ray, MRI and ultrasound scans. If required, our practitioners will make the referral to thoroughly evaluate your condition.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of internal structures. In the lumbar spine, an MRI provides clear images of bones, intervertebral discs, nerves and surrounding soft tissues, allowing for accurate identification of potential problems.
Indications for an MRI include:
- Persistent or Worsening Pain: Especially if it does not improve with standard treatment.
- Neurological Signs: Such as numbness, weakness, or pain radiating to arms or legs.
- After Trauma: If a serious injury is suspected.
- Other Systemic Symptoms: Like fever, which could indicate an infection.

This imaging technique is especially effective for diagnosing conditions such as shoulder injuries, tennis elbow, hand and wrist disorders, knee injuries and ankle issues like Achilles tendinopathy or sprains. The information from the scan can prove invaluable to our practitioners in forming precise diagnoses for injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. Indications for MSKUS include:
- Soft Tissue: Tendon tears, tendinitis, ligament sprains, bursitis, muscle injuries.
- Joints: Effusions, synovitis, cartilage damage, enthesitis.
Nerves: Entrapments (eg carpal tunnel), neuromas. - Sports Injuries: Dynamic evaluation, foreign bodies.

Chiropractors are increasingly using fewer x-rays due to advancements in diagnostic techniques, improved understanding of when imaging is necessary and a greater focus on patient safety. Modern chiropractic practice is more evidence-based and studies show that x-rays are rarely needed for common musculoskeletal complaints. We prioritise patient safety by minimising exposure to radiation; referring for MRI and ultrasound as needed for a more comprehensive evaluation. Indications for x-rays include:
- Fractures or Dislocations: Suspected bone fractures, dislocations or joint injuries.
- Arthritis: Evaluation of degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis): Checking for signs of bone infection.
- Bone Tumours: Detection of bone lesions or masses.
- Metabolic Bone Diseases: Conditions like osteoporosis or Paget’s disease.
- Scoliosis or Spinal Abnormalities: Assessing the curvature or alignment of the spine.
Chiropractic Regulation
The title of ‘chiropractor’ is protected by law and it is a criminal offence for anyone to describe themselves as a chiropractor without being registered with the General Chiropractic Council. The GCC checks that all chiropractors are properly qualified and are fit to practise.
For more information, take a look at the following websites: