Chiropractic Services at USW

Chiropractic is a primary contact profession, which offers a package of evidence based care including manual therapy, psychosocial support, exercise/rehabilitation and lifestyle advice for many common mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including chronic low back pain, neck pain and headaches.

Individualised care is provided by final year chiropractic students under the supervision of General Chiropractic Council registered chiropractors in a modern clinical environment as part of the clinical training component of the Master of Chiropractic degree.  

Chiropractic treatment should not normally hurt however most patients who visit a chiropractor are already suffering from some discomfort or pain. Some patients may experience some post examination, and/or post treatment soreness, which will normally last 24 - 48 hours. However if anyone has any concerns they should seek advice from their student clinician to fully reassess. Your student clinician will inform you of all aspects of treatment and what to expect. 

Your student clinician will advise you to apply cold to the area that is sore or uncomfortable, which may help, however the use of ice should be controlled. An ice pack, or ‘bag of peas’, should always be placed inside a thin cover before placing on the skin. Ice should never be placed directly on the skin as it can burn. Ice should only be used for a maximum of 10 -15 minutes at a time, and it should be used regularly (every few hours with at least a 30 minute break). If soreness or discomfort persists, the patient should seek advice from their student clinician or one of the clinical supervisors. 

Anyone can make an appointment to attend the WIOC for chiropractic care. There is no need to be referred by another healthcare provider, anyone can call and make an appointment. The WIOC can take patients without a GP referral.  

Appointments can be made by calling the WIOC on 01443 483555 where the reception staff will schedule specific appointment times for you. 

We can usually offer you an appointment within two to three working days, and will endeavour to ensure you are seen as soon as possible at a time that is convenient for you. Early care normally improves the outcome of the condition. 

The clinic is located at the University of South Wales, opposite the Treforest Railway Station Park and Ride, making it very easily accessible by public transport.

Welsh Institute of Chiropractic
University of South Wales
Treforest
RCT
CF37 1TW

The clinic has dedicated patient car parking space alongside the clinic. There are a few spaces on the ground level just to the side of the reception, some of which are dedicated to disabled parking. There is also a larger car park which can be accessed via a small ramp to the left of the clinic building. 

The WIOC is a teaching clinic and therefore the clinicians are all training, and are referred to as Student Clinicians. They will have successfully completed three years of study and training before they begin their final year clinical training in the outpatient clinic. They work under the supervision of qualified Chiropractors who are all registered with the General Chiropractic Council, and therefore you may often see a supervising clinician in the treatment room during your assessment and treatment visits. 

Professor David Byfield, Head of Clinical Services is a fully registered chiropractor and oversees all clinical actvitiy in the outpatient clinic. 

If you are taking any medication it is useful for you to bring the details along to your first appointment. It is also useful to bring along any x-rays, MRIs or imaging reports that you may have, especially if they have been taken within the past couple of years.   

On arrival you should report to the clinic reception. On your first visit the receptionist will ask you to complete some paperwork. It will ask you to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, contact details etc.  

The student clinician who has been appointed to take care of you will collect you from reception and escort you to one of our treatment rooms, where they will complete the remainder of the new patient questionnaire before conducting a very thorough physical examination.  

The information and examination is required to assist with making an informed diagnosis, and consequently determine if it is appropriate for you to receive chiropractic care.  

Treatment can sometimes be provided on the first visit if the condition is very acute, or there is need to commence treatment right away. However in most cases, care will usually start a few days afterwards, once the student has presented your case to one of the clinical supervisors.  

Occasionally, if you are very acute, some immediate treatment can take place following the initial consultation, however treatment normally commences once the student clinician has written up your case and presented it to one of the clinical supervisors for approval and advice. In some circumstances you may need to return for a continuation visit to enable the student clinician to complete the relevant paperwork. There is no charge for this additional appointment, as it is an extension of the initial assessment.  

There may also be a small number of patients who require further investigation to aid the diagnosis; this could involve having an x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, MRI or DXA. All of these diagnostic images can be arranged through the WIOC, however, there would be a charge involved. Please refer to the relevant section on the website. 

Alternatively, we can arrange a referral back to your GP who may be able to arrange for imaging through the NHS. Further investigation could also involve referral back to the GP for other tests, or onward referral to another healthcare professional. If no further investigation is required, once your case has been presented to a clinical supervisor, and they have agreed your treatment plan with the student clinician, you will be contacted and asked to return to the outpatient clinic for a report of findings appointment. 

The student clinician will be accompanied by a clinical supervisor, and they will present their findings to you and explain what they think is causing your complaint. They will also explain the proposed treatment plan, including any potential risks involved. There may be occasions where it is felt that chiropractic care would not be appropriate or may not be in your best interest. If this were the case it is likely that the student clinician would seek your consent to refer you to your GP, or onto another healthcare provider. The report of findings provides an opportunity to decide on a number of goals and objectives, and self-care procedures to maximise recovery. 

If, however, your complaint is appropriate for chiropractic care you will be asked to provide written consent before receiving any treatment. 

The number and frequency of appointments required will vary from patient to patient. Your improvement will be monitored very carefully on a treatment-by-treatment basis to ensure that the care you are receiving is appropriate for you, and that you are making progress.  

Ongoing case monitoring is very important, and your student clinician will discuss your case with the clinical supervisor and amend your individual plan of management if necessary. This will be discussed with you in the same way as your original report of findings, and further treatment may continue with your written consent.