Michelle scott on all things chiropractic
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Michelle Scott discusses all things Chiropractic. She discusses how she helps her clients’ brain and body to function at their absolute best thereby enabling the internal intelligence of the body to heal the individual.
So to start off, when did you decide that you wanted to become a chiropractor, and why did you choose to pursue that as an occupation?
I had considered chiropractic while still in school. We were involved in a car accident and my mom hurt her back after months of
What academic pathway did you pursue exactly?
I took maths and biology in school. While I lived abroad I studied for associate degree (a undergraduate degree) in maths and science. On return home (South Africa) I studied chiropractics. The course is 7 years to complete.
When you were learning about the profession, in your studies, how did what you predicted about the career differ from how it actually is?
Learning about chiropractic while studying far differs from practice. I realised very quickly (ridiculous as this may sound) practice was real people with real pathology, desperate for answers and willing to pay to get better. During studies we practice on each other with given scenarios and there’s no urgency.
How does chiropractic care work? Some of our readers are not really familiar with chiropractic
care.
Chiropractic is a systematic approach to the structure and function of the body, particularly the spine. Chiropractors perform joint manipulations to relieve pain, improve and restore function of the body and help the body heal itself.
Beside the knowledge-based aspects of chiropractic, what are the key skills and qualities that you think are essential for a chiropractor to possess?
I think it’s essential for someone wanting to be a chiropractor to be thorough and pay attention to detail (big and small). They should be able to work with others and have good communication skills. They should be hard working and not afraid to ask for help when needed.
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of your job?
I think the most challenging part of my job is there’s no “downtime” at work. We need to be fully engaged with our patients, we can’t afford to have an off day because people’s lives are in our hands.
On the flipside then, what is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Our work is very physical and interactive and our patients become part of our practice family
as we become part of their families. We see families grow and change and it’s really special.
Have there been any particularly interesting cases that you have dealt with where you have been really successful or had an interesting turn of events as a result of your treatments?
Yes, I’ve had a couple. One that stands out is I had a male patient who wasn’t able to walk. I did a full history and physical. I ended up referring him to the neurosurgeons at Princess Marina. Three (3) months later he walked into my office to thank me for giving him answers and guiding him to the correct people to help him.
What does a typical day of work look like?
We start at 07:00 am and see patients every half hour. We break for lunch at 12:00 for an hour and continue seeing patients until 16:00. I do Crossfit, Pilates and run to keep fit, strong and healthy in order to maintain my physical stamina.
For those who are unfamiliar with the differences, how does chiropractic vary from just massage or physiotherapy?
Chiropractors are considered primary care doctors, can order x-rays, ultrasound examinations and refer directly to any other healthcare practitioner. We study for 7years and treat primarily musculoskeletal condition in anyone and everyone. Chiropractors conduct full physical examination using diagnostic protocols and may refer for further diagnostic images (MRI, CT scans) if required. Manual joint manipulative therapy is used together with the treatment of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments etc); additionally postural advice and ergonomic education is given.
Physiotherapists also treat anyone and everyone and study for 4years. They treat people affected by illness (pneumonia), injuries and disabilities. While there is a large overlap in what physio’s and chiropractors treat the method used to treat different conditions vary.
Massages are the practice of rubbing and kneading the muscles with varied pressure to ease pain and tension
What are the main reasons to see a chiropractor and what do your patients often come in for? Why go see your chiropractor?
There are four (4) general reasons to visit a chiropractor - spinal health, sports injuries, pediatric care and rehabilitation. More specifically: back pain, neck pain and headaches. Pain, numbness and tingling
Poor sleep quality and fatigue; Stress Injuries due to vehicle accidents; Injuries due to sports; Pregnancy and crying babies;
Reducing the use of OPIODS and NSAIDS (pain killers and anti-inflammatories); General health and wellness
What are the most common injuries that you see in your office?
My patients range from infants to elderly and come in for everything from colic, back pain, headaches and sports injuries. At this time of year the most common “injury” is usually postural related and as a result of long working hours and prolonged sitting in front of a computer. People with stiff and sore necks, sometimes associated with headaches and with lower back pain. The most common condition that we see and treat are disc prolapses either due to a specific incident or poor posture related.
Who should visit the chiropractor?
The whole family should visit the chiropractor. Everyone from baby to grandma and grandpa. Chiropractic treatment helps strengthen the immune system and restore the normal function of neuro-musculo-skeletal system by correcting mechanical disturbances and disfunction.
Should my children see a chiropractor? What age would you recommend that they start? What are some good examples where my child would benefit from a chiropractic adjustment?
Yes, your children should see a chiropractor. Chiropractors have amazing results with pediatric and adolescent patients. Chiropractic treatment can be started as early as one day old. The treatment is very different to that experienced by adults and is very gentle.
Chiropractic care for children can help in a variety of ways; from improving behaviour to better sleep. Chiropractic care works well for children of all ages because their bodies are changing and still growing. A baby’s spine lengthens by 50% in the first year of their lives. At no other time does growth occur so rapidly, so why not ensure your baby has proper alignment ensuring proper symmetrical growth. The alignment of the spine is very important for proper development. We ease tension and stress on muscles that effect spinal and joint alignment.
What benefits do you personally think chiropractic treatment has to offer and how has it impacted the lives of patients?
I personally think the benefits of chiropractic treatments are far beyond just physical and a decrease in pain and tension. It helps reduce stress and directly/indirectly benefits gut health and concentration. I could write pages of the benefits of chiropractic but it’s really a treatment one needs to experience for themselves in order to properly understand and comprehend what it is we do.
From your experience, how has chiropractic evolved?
Chiropractic has evolved immensely. It has evolved from a single high velocity adjustment at the base of the head, to specific joints throughout the skeletal system receiving high velocity low amplitude manipulation. Chiropractors around the world have begun doing and embracing evidence-based approaches to spinal and other skeletal issues.