Chiropractors aren’t actually ‘cracking your bones’. We use a specific, gentle adjustment to stretch the joint to get it back to its full range of motion. The ‘crack’ is simply a popping of gas bubbles within the joint fluid and is totally normal and safe.

In simple terms, both osteopaths and chiropractors tend to treat similar musculoskeletal conditions with similar hands-on techniques. The distinction between the two stems from a subtle difference in traditional philosophy. Traditional osteopaths believed that health problems stemmed from the vascular system, whereas traditional chiropractors focused on how problems stemmed from the nervous system and spinal alignment.

Chiropractors and physiotherapists have a large overlap in their professions. They both treat musculoskeletal problems with the aim to increase function, decrease pain, and increase strength. The approach of each profession is slightly different; generally speaking, chiropractors favour a more passive approach at first (such as spinal mobilisations, adjustments, and soft tissue work) before incorporating active rehabilitation. Physiotherapists tend to introduce active exercises and self-mobilisation straight away.

No, you do not have to contact your NHS GP before visiting us if you do not wish to. Chiropractors are primary care practitioners, which means we deal with the public directly as opposed to requiring a formal medical referral. If you are claiming through private health insurance (such as Bupa, AXA, or Aviva), a GP referral may sometimes be necessary, so it is always best to check with your insurance provider first.

Official guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggest early referral for manipulative treatment, such as that performed by a chiropractor, is the most effective way of dealing with acute and chronic lower back pain. There is a vast range of scientific evidence from randomised clinical trials (such as the Bronfort Report) proving the effectiveness of chiropractic care for a variety of conditions we see daily, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches & migraines, as well as sciatica, dizziness, leg pain, and arm pain.

Chiropractic care has far fewer risks than many alternative medical treatments for spinal problems. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon, and research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of conservative treatment available. Your chiropractor will, of course, be happy to discuss any personal concerns you have before starting treatment.

Yes, chiropractic care is covered by most major private health insurers. We recommend checking directly with your provider to confirm your coverage details and see if your specific policy requires a GP sign-off.

Absolutely. All of our chiropractors at City Chiropractic Clinic (serving Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley, and the wider Staffordshire region) are fully registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and are proud members of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA). The GCC is the official body established by parliament to regulate and develop the chiropractic profession in the UK. It is a criminal offence to call yourself a chiropractor if you are not registered with them. To register, our practitioners must complete a rigorous 4- or 5-year Master of Chiropractic degree from an accredited university.

It is not possible to determine exactly how many visits a person will need without an in-person assessment. After your initial consultation at our clinic, your chiropractor will thoroughly go through your results and outline a tailored care plan explaining how many treatments it will take to get rid of the pain and prevent the problem from returning.

City Chiropractic Clinic is centrally located to serve patients across Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley, and the surrounding North Staffordshire potteries. For patients living or working closer to the border of Newcastle-under-Lyme, our sister practice, Newcastle Chiropractic, is located just 3 miles away. This dual-clinic proximity allows our patients the flexibility to book spinal adjustments at either location depending on their daily schedule or commute.

Our central clinic is ideally located to provide comprehensive chiropractic care to patients across the six towns and surrounding suburbs of Stoke-on-Trent. We regularly welcome patients looking for a trusted chiropractor in Hanley, Fenton, Longton, Burslem, and Tunstall. We are also the go-to clinic for patients traveling from southern suburbs, including Trentham, Blurton, and Meir.