Durban chiropractor debunks myths

Chiropractors treat conditions affecting the nervous system and musculoskeletal system, and many people are still unaware of how helpful regular chiropractor visits can be for their physical health and comfort. In a four-week series, Berea Mail looks into the chiropractic practice to uncover its benefits and some of the methods used by chiropractors to treat common physical ailments. This week, we spoke with Dr Bridget Bromfield who has 25 years’ experience in the chiropractic field and is a long-time member of The Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA). She sheds light on some lesser-known facts about chiropractic treatments and offers her advice to those starting out in the industry.

DR Bridget Bromfield is a well-respected member in the South African chiropractic industry. She has been in private practice for 25 years and has been involved with The Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) for 20 years. According to Bromfield, CASA exists to empower its members to become leaders in neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve, muscular and skeletal) health in their communities and to advocate for chiropractors to become the first point of call for neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve, muscular and skeletal) conditions.

“CASA is committed to the highest levels of excellence in chiropractic education, patient care, standards of practice and continuing professional development,” said Bromfield.

The veteran chiropractor has also served on the Allied Health Professions Council and the Professional Board for Chiropractic and Osteopathy and is a wealth of information for interesting facts about the chiropractic profession.

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Bromfield says she enjoys her job and gets a great deal of satisfaction from helping others. “What is most satisfying is making a difference in the lives of others by offering immediate injury or pain relief. Each time we interact with a patient, that patient’s well-being is improved. In some cases, the positive results are immediate, while other conditions may require additional treatment. I love that chiropractic treatment offers a myriad of positive benefits without the stress or invasiveness of surgery or other more intense techniques.”

When should people visit the chiropractor?

Bromfield says that chiropractic care can help to reduce and/or eliminate the symptoms associated with various conditions, including neck pain, whiplash, lower back pain, migraines & headaches, sciatica, scoliosis, spinal-disc injuries, sports-related injuries, tendinitis, sprains and joint pain, pregnancy-related aches & pains and paediatric conditions like colic.

“Basically, any condition that is related to any joint in the body can potentially be helped through chiropractic care,” she said.

ALSO READ: How your baby can benefit from a chiropractor

Chiropractic treatments

According to Bromfield, a chiropractor uses various treatment modalities, depending on the patient’s needs.

“Chiropractors work with the spine and joints and focus on creating optimal alignment through joint manipulation or adjustment. The goal is to improve spinal motion and improve your body’s physical function,” she said.

“Soft-tissue techniques (to treat surrounding muscle or ligament injury) can include dry needling which reduces pain, inactivates trigger points and restores function. Many confuse this with acupuncture. Both dry needling and acupuncture use thin, stainless steel needles. For both, the needles are inserted into the skin. That’s where the similarities end,” said Bromfield.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, and dry needling was developed in the US in the 1940s.

Bromfield says that treatment can also include exercises and stretches as well as lifestyle advice.

Benefits of regular chiropractic visits

The Durban-based chiropractor says receiving regular chiropractic adjustments can improve sleep, lower levels of stress, and reduces the reliance on opioid pain relievers.

“As we get older, balance can become a problem. While regular exercise can help keep the core and legs strong, chiropractic care can help improve your balance. A lot of people don’t know that chiropractic care has shown significant improvements in pain relief for fibromyalgia patients,” she said.

Debunking chiropractic myths

Bromfield says she has heard many chiropractic myths in her career but chose to highlight two she feels should be set straight.

Myth:

Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous.

Dr Bromfield’s response:

“Chiropractic manipulation is perfectly safe when performed by someone who is properly trained and registered. In fact, chiropractic treatment is less invasive than many other forms of medicine, and numerous studies have proven its safety and effectiveness for patients of all ages.”

Myth:

Chiropractic care does not actually work.

Dr Bromfield’s Response:

“Chiropractic treatment is, at times, questioned on its effectiveness. Yet, the chiropractic profession and others have invested significant resources to build a body of evidence from studying the impact of manual therapies on musculoskeletal conditions. For example, spinal and joint manipulation has been shown to be effective treatment for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, like back pain. In fact, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is recommended as a first-line intervention for back pain in numerous clinical practice guidelines.”

Did You Know?

Most medical aids in South Africa reimburse patients for chiropractic care. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (previously known as Workman’s Compensation) provides for complete reimbursement of cases treated by registered chiropractors.

Bromfield ended with some advice for young chiropractors starting out in the industry: “Be epic! Stand proudly for evidence-based practice, people-centred care and working inter-professionally with a collaborative approach to patient care. Follow these principles as a practitioner, chiropractic leader, and even, where appropriate, as a general principle in day-to-day life,” she concluded.

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