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No — treatment typically begins at your second visit.

The primary aim of your first appointment is to find out whether we can help you and, if so, how. We carry out a thorough assessment covering your health history, structural analysis, movement testing, full spinal analysis, and nerve scans.

After this visit, your results are carefully analysed. At your second appointment, everything is explained clearly — what is causing your problem, why, and the best plan to address it. Once you understand what is going on and are happy with the plan going forwards, treatment begins at that same second visit.

A free consultation typically takes 15–20 minutes and gives a very limited picture of what's happening. Our assessment takes considerably longer and involves a full health history, structural analysis, movement testing, full spinal analysis, and nerve scans.

The £87 is the cost of a thorough, clinically meaningful examination — not a sales meeting. You're paying for answers. Most patients tell us that even if they hadn't gone on to have any treatment, they found the assessment itself valuable because they finally understood what was causing their pain and what their options were.

That's exactly what the assessment is for. One of the things patients are consistently surprised by is the range of conditions that Chiropractic can help with — from the obvious (back pain, neck pain) to the less expected (headaches, nerve pain, some joint issues). But we would never overstate what we can do.

If after the examination we don't believe your problem is something we can help with, we'll be honest about that — and where possible, point you towards a more appropriate practitioner. You won't be charged beyond the assessment, and you'll leave with a much clearer picture of your situation regardless.

Not in the way most people fear. Every care plan is tailored to your specific problem and goals, with a clear focus on getting you to where you want to be. Most people go through an initial course of care to address their presenting issue — typically over a period of weeks to months depending on the complexity of the problem.

Once that's complete, many patients find that periodic check-ups help them stay on top of things — in the same way you might see a dentist or GP for a routine review rather than waiting for a problem to develop. Whether that's right for you is something we can discuss together once your initial care is complete. There's no obligation, and it's never a condition of treatment.

Chiropractic care, when performed by a qualified and registered practitioner, has a strong safety record. Dr. Hulme is registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) — the UK's statutory regulator for Chiropractors — and is fully insured.

The Gonstead approach is particularly precise — adjustments are specific and targeted, not generalised. The thorough examination process also means we identify any contraindications before beginning any care. You won't receive any treatment at your first visit — that comes only after your results are fully explained and you've decided how you'd like to proceed.

This depends entirely on your specific problem, how long it's been present, and your individual response to care. Some patients notice a meaningful difference within a few sessions. For more complex or long-standing issues, a typical course of care might span 2–3 months.

We'll always give you an honest picture of realistic expectations at your second visit — not a vague "it depends." You'll have clear goals and a clear plan before committing to anything.

Some GPs do occasionally advise against seeing a Chiropractor — and while that advice is usually well-intentioned, it's often based on older perceptions of the profession rather than current evidence. GPs provide excellent general medical care, but musculoskeletal and spinal assessment isn't always within the scope of a standard GP consultation.

The purpose of the initial assessment is simply to examine your spine and tell you — clearly and honestly — whether we can help with your specific problem. You won't receive any treatment at the first visit. If after the assessment we don't believe Chiropractic is appropriate for you, we'll tell you that and point you in the right direction. The assessment gives you information. What you do with it is entirely your decision.

No referral is needed. You can book directly online or by phone. Chiropractic is a primary contact profession — you can come directly to us without seeing your GP first, just as you would with a dentist or optician.

Dr. Steve Hulme holds a First Class Masters degree in Chiropractic from AECC University College — one of the UK's leading Chiropractic institutions. The Masters in Chiropractic is a four-year, in-depth programme covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, and clinical practice.

Beyond his degree, Dr. Hulme has undertaken extensive postgraduate training in both the Gonstead System and neurology, attending seminars across Europe alongside some of the world's most experienced Gonstead practitioners. He is also a seminar professional, teaching the Gonstead system to students and Chiropractors across the UK and Europe.

Dr. Hulme is registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) — the statutory regulator for Chiropractors in the UK — and is a member of the United Chiropractic Association (UCA). GCC registration is a legal requirement to practise as a Chiropractor in the UK and ensures practitioners meet ongoing standards of safety, competence, and professional conduct.