Back Pain
Back pain can begin suddenly or develop gradually. It may stay in one area or be accompanied by symptoms in the buttock or leg, and it can affect everything from sleeping and working to walking and exercising.
Our chiropractors and osteopaths assess people experiencing back pain. Whether treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate will depend on the likely cause of your symptoms and your individual assessment.
Could chiropractic or osteopathy be appropriate?
Chiropractic or osteopathic care may be appropriate for some people with back pain, but not every type of back pain should be treated in the same way.
At your First Visit, your practitioner will listen to what has been happening, carry out an appropriate assessment and explain their findings. If treatment is suitable, they’ll discuss the options with you. These may include advice, exercises and hands-on treatment, adapted to you and provided with your consent.
If we don’t believe treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate, we’ll explain why and advise, signpost or refer you as needed.
Should I choose chiropractic or osteopathy?
You don’t need to decide which profession your back pain “belongs” to.
There is considerable overlap between chiropractic and osteopathy. The individual practitioner’s experience, approach and treatment style will often be more relevant than their professional title.
We work as a team and can help redirect you if we believe another practitioner or healthcare service would be better suited to your needs.
When should I seek urgent medical advice?
Most back pain is not caused by a serious medical problem. However, some symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Contact NHS 111 or request an urgent GP appointment if your back pain:
- Is severe and started suddenly or is getting worse quickly
- Is accompanied by feeling hot, cold, shivery or generally unwell
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain accompanied by:
- Loss of feeling around your genitals or anus
- New changes in bladder or bowel control
- New changes in sexual sensation or function
- Chest pain
- Pain that began after a serious accident
If any of these apply, please seek medical help rather than waiting for an appointment with us.
What happens next?
A First Visit gives your practitioner time to listen, assess you and explain whether they believe treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate.
Treatment may be offered at the First Visit when it is appropriate and you are happy to proceed, but an assessment does not automatically mean treatment will be recommended.
Should I book Chiropractic or Osteopathy?
You don’t need to work out which profession your condition “belongs” to before booking.
For the problems we commonly see at The Hive Health, there isn’t a condition that automatically needs to be seen by a chiropractor rather than an osteopath—or vice versa. Both are regulated healthcare professions, and although there are some differences in training and clinical approach, there is considerable overlap in how our chiropractors and osteopath assess and treat people.
In practice, the individual practitioner—their experience, treatment style and approach—often matters more than their professional title.
We also work as a team. If your practitioner believes that another member of the team or a different healthcare service would be better suited to your needs, they’ll explain why and help direct you appropriately.
What if you can't help me?
If we don’t believe treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate, we’ll explain why.
Depending on what we find, we may advise you to speak to your GP or another healthcare professional, or recommend a different service. Where appropriate, and with your consent, we can also write to another healthcare professional about our findings.
We’ll only recommend treatment when we believe it is suitable and necessary for you.
What if I'm nervous about treatment?
Please tell us. It is completely reasonable to have questions or concerns, particularly if you haven’t visited a chiropractor or osteopath before.
Your practitioner will explain the techniques they recommend and adapt their approach to you. Manipulation is not compulsory, and treatment will only go ahead with your consent.
You can ask questions, express a preference or change your mind at any point.