In the McTimoney approach (which is my area of expertise - I cannot speak for chiropractors using other methods), when we first take a client we ask whether they are aware of how their condition arose. Then we go further back to find memories of any accidents and/or illnesses in the past. If the patient cannot furnish information I will put down "cannot recall" because memories may surface later in the course of treatment. To have a true healing it may be necessary to treat until the effects of accidents, illness or even trauma at birth have been corrected.My father always referred to this as "retracing" and this can be a very real phenomenon. Of course some people will get better quickly if they have no retracing to do, depending on their case history, but if a pattern of retracing begins to show up, the patients may find themselves coming for a lot more treatments than they may have originally thought they would, and it is important for them to trust that the intention is not a money-making one, but the highest goal of good health for each patient, if they will let us take them there. This really is worth it! It is the trouble-shooting and job satisfaction which has kept me practising the McTimoney Technique for 34 years!

My brother and I agreed that Chiropractic is actually a wonderful form of engineering and every adjustment has to be calculated for the best mechanical results, using torque and speed! If skilfully given the patient will find the treatment comfortable, and even relaxing. It must seem as if we are treating the bones, but our real expertise is in treating the Nervous System by manipulating joints to release nerve (and sometimes blood) supply to restore or maintain good health. Chiropractic is both a science and an art. The art is in understanding the patient, having a vision of them in the best of health, and guiding them to that goal.