Bateman Chiropractic Clinic

06/02/2026

Painkillers can turn down pain…
but they don’t repair the injury.

💊 What painkillers actually do
Most common pain relief (like paracetamol or anti-inflammatories) helps reduce pain signals and/or calm inflammation. That can make you feel better fast — which is exactly why people love them.

What they don’t do
They don’t:
• rebuild damaged tissue
• restore joint mobility
• improve muscle function
• correct load/strain that caused the problem
• re-train movement patterns

So if you keep doing the thing that irritated it… you can end up pushing through and making it worse.

🔥 The trap: “It doesn’t hurt, so it must be healed.”
Pain is a signal, not the whole story. If the cause is still there, symptoms often come right back when the meds wear off.

✅ Better approach (especially for recurring pain):
1. Calm it down (smart rest + gentle movement)
2. Find the driver (posture, workload, weakness, mobility, technique, stress/sleep)
3. Build capacity (progressive rehab + strength + mobility)
4. Get guidance if it’s not improving

Get checked if you have:
numbness/tingling, weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel/bladder changes, pain after a significant fall/accident, or symptoms that keep worsening.

If you want, comment “HELP” and we will reply.

05/02/2026

04/02/2026

The UK Commuter Clinic 🚗🚆
If your neck, shoulders or lower back are moaning by the time you get to work… your commute might be the culprit.

Here are a few easy fixes that actually help:

🚗 In the car
• Seat back more upright (not laid back) so your head isn’t pushed forward
• Hips level or slightly higher than knees
• Hands relaxed: think “soft grip” on the wheel
• If you’re stuck in traffic, don’t tense your shoulders—drop them and breathe out slowly

🚦 At red lights (30–40 seconds)
Try this quick reset:
1. Chin tuck (make a “double chin”) x 5
2. Shoulder roll back and down x 5
3. Long exhale (6 seconds) x 3
Tiny habit. Big difference.

🎒 Backpack vs shoulder bag
• Backpack wins for most people ✅
• If you use a shoulder bag: swap sides every 5–10 minutes and keep the strap shorter so it sits close to your body

🚆 Standing on packed trains
• Stand with feet hip-width, soften knees
• Hold the rail lightly (white-knuckle grip = tense neck)
• If you can, switch your stance every few stops (don’t lock into one position)

If commuting is flaring you up, comment “COMMUTE” and we’ll reply with a quick checklist based on whether you drive, train, or both.

03/02/2026

Desk posture myth that keeps people in pain: “Just sit up straight.”

Here’s the problem: forcing yourself rigid usually means you either over-arch your lower back or tense your neck and shoulders. That can feel “upright”… but it often feeds discomfort over time.

What actually helps (and it’s way more realistic):

✅ 1) Micro-breaks beat perfect posture
Set a timer for 30–45 minutes. Stand, walk, stretch for 30–60 seconds.
Your spine loves movement, not “holding.”

✅ 2) Screen height matters more than your chair
Top of screen roughly eye level. If you’re looking down all day, your neck pays the price.

✅ 3) “Ribcage over hips” (not military posture)
Think stacked not stiff: ribs gently over hips, shoulders relaxed, feet supported.

✅ 4) Breathe like you mean it
A lot of desk pain is tension + shallow breathing. Try this:
Inhale 4 seconds (into your belly/ribs), exhale 6 seconds x 5 breaths.
Watch your shoulders drop.

If you want, comment “DESK” and I’ll reply with a 60-second desk reset you can do between calls.

31/01/2026

Rehab + Lifestyle

What makes results last? (6/6)
The best chiropractic results come from what you do between visits.

Rehab is simple (not overwhelming):
✅ 5–10 mins/day
✅ 2–4 key exercises
✅ matched to your problem

We usually improve:
1️⃣ Mobility (restore movement)
2️⃣ Stability (control + support)
3️⃣ Endurance (so posture doesn’t collapse)

Quick beginner-friendly moves:
✅ Cat-cow x 8
✅ Thoracic rotations x 6/side
✅ Glute bridge x 10
✅ Dead bug x 6/side
✅ Chin tucks x 8

Ergonomic wins:
✅ screen at eye level
✅ feet flat, elbows supported
✅ stand up every 30–45 mins
💡 Best posture = your next posture

Sleep tips:
✅ side sleepers: pillow between knees
✅ back sleepers: pillow under knees
✅ avoid stomach sleeping if possible

Want a rehab plan for YOUR pain?
DM REHAB + “back/neck/sciatica/headaches”
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Comment CHECKLIST for a desk setup guide

30/01/2026

Myth: “Chiropractic is unsafe for older adults.” ❌
Truth: Many older adults do very well with chiropractic — when care is tailored to them.

As we age, joints can stiffen, balance can change, and recovery can take a little longer. That doesn’t mean you’re “too old” for care — it means you need the right approach.

In our clinic, that often looks like:
✅ Gentler techniques (adapted to comfort and medical history)
✅ Mobility work to keep you moving confidently
✅ Balance + strength exercises to support stability and independence
✅ Careful screening — including considering conditions like osteoporosis

The goal: safer movement, less stiffness, better function — with a plan that fits you.

If you’re wondering whether chiropractic is appropriate for you (or a parent), DM us “OLDER” and we’ll point you in the right direction.

30/01/2026

Follow-Up Visits

What happens after your first visit? (5/6)
Worried you’ll be told you need endless sessions? No. Follow-up care is based on progress.

Follow-ups have 3 goals:
✅ reduce pain and sensitivity
✅ restore movement and function
✅ make results LAST (so it doesn’t keep coming back)

Early visits focus on calming irritation and getting you moving better. Then we shift to strengthening, stability, and rebuilding resilience.

We track progress properly (not guesswork):
✅ pain triggers
✅ range of motion
✅ function (sitting, driving, lifting, training)
✅ nerve symptoms improving (if present)

Maintenance is optional — some people choose check-ins, others don’t. The goal is getting you better and keeping you better.

➡️ Next: (6/6) Rehab + lifestyle — what you can do at home.

DM FOLLOW UP to discuss a plan
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29/01/2026

Myth: “Chiropractic is only for back pain.” ❌
Truth: Back pain is common… but it’s not the whole story. ✅

Chiropractic care can support a lot more than the spine, including:
✨ Neck pain & stiffness
✨ Headaches linked to the neck (often tension/posture-related)
✨ Rib pain (that sharp “catch” with breathing or twisting)
✨ Some shoulder & hip issues
✨ Movement restrictions (feeling “stuck” or limited)

And yes — chiropractors can also assess and treat joints in the arms and hands and the legs and feet, such as:
🖐️ Shoulder, elbow, wrist & hand joints (including grip/overuse strains)
🦵 Knees (when mechanics and joint function are contributing)
🦶 Ankles & feet (stiffness, recurring sprains, walking/running mechanics)

Why does that matter?
Because pain often comes from how your body is moving and loading day to day — and sometimes the “problem area” is being forced to compensate for a stiff or irritated joint elsewhere.

In our clinic, it’s not just adjustments — it’s a plan:
✅ Joint treatment to restore motion and reduce irritation
✅ Rehab + strength work to keep it stable
✅ Movement coaching so it doesn’t keep coming back

Not sure if you’re a good fit?
DM us “MYTH” and tell us what’s going on 👇

pain

29/01/2026

The Treatment

What happens at your first chiropractic visit? (4/6)

Nervous about treatment? Totally normal. Good care is tailored to YOU — not a “one-size-fits-all crack.”

Treatment may include:
✅ mobilisation/adjustments to restore movement
✅ soft tissue work to reduce tension
✅ gentle options if you’re sensitive or anxious
✅ advice to calm flare-ups fast

Will it hurt? Most people feel looser, lighter, or more mobile. Sometimes mild soreness happens (like after exercise) and usually settles within 24 hours.

The cracking sound? Often just gas releasing in the joint (like knuckles). It’s not bones grinding, and it’s not required for results.

You’re in control the whole time — we explain everything and go at your pace.

➡️ Next: (5/6) Follow-ups — how many you need + how we track progress.

DM NERVOUS if you want reassurance
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28/01/2026

Myth: “I will push your disc back in.”
Reality: That’s not how discs work.

If you’ve been told your disc is “out” and needs to be “pushed back in,” you’re not alone — but it’s a misleading explanation.

Quick anatomy (without the jargon):
Your spinal discs sit between your vertebrae like tough cushions. They’re not like a bar of soap that “slips out” and gets shoved back into place.

Even with a disc bulge/herniation, what usually matters most isn’t “putting it back” — it’s:
✔ calming irritation/inflammation
✔ improving movement and load tolerance
✔ restoring confidence in bending, lifting, and daily life
✔ building strength and resilience so it doesn’t keep flaring up

So what does treatment actually do?
Hands-on care can help reduce pain and improve motion, and rehab helps your spine become more adaptable — but no one is manually “pushing a disc back in.”

Why this myth can be harmful:
When people believe something is “out,” they often start fearing normal movement… and that fear can keep pain hanging around longer.

Better message: Your back isn’t “out.” It’s sensitive — and it can get better with the right plan.

If you’ve been scared by your scan or told your disc needs “putting back,” DM me “DISC” and I’ll help you understand what’s actually going on (and what to do next).

28/01/2026

The Explanation + Plan

What happens at your first chiropractic visit? (3/6)
Ever left an appointment thinking: “Ok… but what is the problem?”
At your visit we explain your pain in plain English.

You’ll understand:
✅ what’s involved
✅ why it hurts now
✅ why it keeps coming back
✅ what movements/postures trigger it
✅ the plan to fix it properly

Pain often sticks around due to joint stiffness, muscle guarding, irritated nerves, or poor movement habits. So we create a clear roadmap: treatment + rehab + prevention — no guesswork.

Next: (4/6) The treatment — what it feels like + your options.

DM PLAN for the best next step
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Comment EXPLAIN if you want us to cover your issue

27/01/2026

The Examination
What happens at your first chiropractic visit? (2/6)
Part 2: The Detailed Examination (How we find the real cause)

A proper first visit isn’t just “where does it hurt?”
It’s a detailed examination to identify what’s actually causing the pain — so we can treat the right thing safely.

Here’s what we check

✅ Posture + movement patterns
How you sit, stand, walk and move can reveal the source of the problem — not just where you feel it.

✅ Range of motion testing
We assess how your spine, hips, shoulders or neck move — and where movement is restricted, painful, or compensating.

✅ Orthopaedic testing
Specific tests help us identify joint irritation, muscle strain, ligament involvement, or referred pain patterns.

✅ Neurological testing (when needed)
We may check reflexes, strength and sensation — especially if you have pins & needles, numbness or sciatica-type symptoms.

✅ Hands-on assessment (palpation)
We feel for stiffness, swelling, tenderness, muscle spasm, and joints that aren’t moving well.

✅ Functional testing
If your pain shows up with lifting, sitting, bending or turning, we assess those movements so we can rebuild them properly.
The goal:
Work out WHAT is involved, WHY it’s happening, and WHAT needs to change — rather than guessing.

You’ll leave knowing:
✅ what we think is causing it
✅ whether chiropractic care is suitable
✅ what the next steps are

➡️ Next: (3/6) The Explanation — what’s going on + what we can do about it

Want to get checked properly? DM EXAM
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