Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment?

We have three ways to book an appointment.

1) You can call us on 01707 333390 during our opening hours. Currently it is the easiest and
quickest way to make your appointment, although soon we will be moving to a new clinic
software that will allow you to see our availability and book as another option.

2) You can contact us via our Live Chat Function click on the icon at the side of this page which you have access past our opening hours. 5 1/2 days a week.

3) You can email us on hello@healthandvitalitycentre.uk. E-mails will be responded to ASAP but guaranteed within 15 hours.

What will be involved in my first appointment?

As we have many different treatments and practitioners, please visit our ‘treatments’ page
for more information on our different treatments and what to expect. We want you to feel
comfortable, the best way to start your care with us is fully informed and as relaxed as you
can be! If you have any further questions on this matter please call us and we can talk you
through it in detail.

How long do treatment sessions last?

For your first session with a chiropractor or osteopath you will be in the clinic between 30 & 45 minutes. Your initial consultation, report of findings and first treatment is all included in the New Patient Consultation fee, although you should expect this to be divided into two appointments. After that most treatments will be done in around 15 minutes. It is important to remember that all conditions are different and your chiropractor or osteopath will take the time necessary to ensure that you get maximum improvement as fast as possible.

Massage Therapy – We offer massage for 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes.

Do I need to bring anything with me?
  • You are welcome to bring leggings/shorts with you or clothing you feel comfortable in.
  • If you are on any prescribed medication please bring full details with you.
  • If you have running trainers and/or insoles which have been prescribed, please also bring these with you.
  • If you have had any recent scans or hospital results please bring these with you to your appointment
Is Chiropractic safe?

Yes, chiropractic treatment is generally considered safe when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner. Like any medical treatment, it may have some risks and potential side effects, such as temporary soreness or discomfort. However, serious complications are rare.

Chiropractors are trained to evaluate each guest individually and tailor their treatment to minimize risks and maximize benefits using the most appropriate technique to minimise any discomfort, and give advice on how to help yourself at home.

Are your Chiropractic treatment techniques painful?

Chiropractic treatment carried out by a properly qualified doctor of chiropractic, is generally painless. Occasionally if you have an acute condition with a lot of muscle spasm there may be some discomfort, however your chiropractor will always use the most appropriate technique to minimise any discomfort, and give advice on how to help yourself at home.

How many Chiropractic sessions will I need?

The number of sessions needed varies based on the individual and their specific condition. Factors influencing the treatment plan include the severity of the issue, the patient's overall health, and how well you respond to treatment. Some guests may experience significant improvement in just a few sessions, while others with more chronic conditions may require ongoing care over a longer period. Your chiropractor will regularly re-evaluate your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

How long before I can expect to feel better?

Every body that walks through our doors is unique, therefore every body will respond at different rates to our care. As experienced practitioners we can make an educated guess as to how many sessions you can expect to have before you are feeling better. As a general rule the longer you have had a problem the longer it takes to get better. There are other factors to take into consideration, such as age, mobility, fitness, and general physical and mental health.

Almost everyone will feel some level of improvement after 6 sessions, and at this stage we will perform a full review to assess your progress. If we didn’t see any improvement after this time we would be seeking a second opinion from our colleagues or externally from your GP or other relevant health professional. Some people may require a longer course of care to ensure a longer lasting resolution to their problem. The recovery time is also very dependant on your commitment to the treatment program, including following any advice regarding lifestyle changes or exercise programs deemed necessary by your chiropractor or osteopath. Once you have felt the fantastic benefits of our care, we will discuss how to keep things that way!

Can I bring my children with me during my appointment?

Yes, you can. We appreciate how hard it can be to arrange childcare and wouldn’t want you to miss an appointment if this is the case. Please try to bring something to keep your child entertained where possible. We also have a waiting room where older children are welcome to stay during your treatment.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes, we do. Our cancellation policy is 24 hours notice for Chiropractic. Massage has a 48 hrs notice period. Please inform us if you need to cancel or move your appointment by emailing hello@healthandvitalitycentre.uk or calling the clinic. You may be charged up to 50% of the treatment session if we do not receive the required notice as it often means we cannot fill the appointment slot.

Will I be able to park?

Yes. There is ample off street parking at the clinic, free of charge.

Will you be covered by my health insurance?

Our practitioners are covered by all of the major insurance companies and the majority of the
smaller ones too. You will need to speak to your insurance company before your visit and produce an authorisation code for us for your care. This may need a doctors referral depending on the insurance company and individual policies but not in most cases.

How do I know if a Chiropractor or Massage Therapist is properly qualified?

The Chiropractic profession has statutory regulation and is controlled by the General
Chiropractic Council (GCC), who are responsible for ensuring that all practising
Chiropractors are properly qualified, undergo continual professional development,
and abide by the Code of Conduct. It is a legal requirement for all practising
Chiropractors to be registered with the GCC.

Massage therapists are all certificated and everybody is insured.

Can I have chiropractic treatment if I am pregnant?

Chiropractors are trained to treat pregnant patients and can frequently help with many back and pelvic conditions during pregnancy. Many women choose to have regular chiropractic/osteopathic checkups during their pregnancy so that their spine and pelvis is supple and well balanced, possibly helping to reduce problems during labour.

After childbirth chiropractic can help restore the normal mechanics of the pelvis, and the practitioner can give advice as to effective rehabilitation exercises to counteract the loss of spinal function due to the pregnancy.

Can children have Chiropractic care?

Chiropractic treatment is suitable for all ages from the newborn to the very elderly. Chiropractors and Osteopaths are trained to adapt their techniques.

Parents often choose to bring their children for chiropractic check-ups as many childhood conditions respond well to chiropractic care.

What areas do we serve?

Health and Vitality Centre welcomes anyone who requires our services to help relieve pain, remove dysfunction, and support long-term wellness care. Believe it or not, we even have guests who now live in Canada and Australia who still return for their Chiropractic and Massage sessions when visiting family!

Our main service areas include the local communities surrounding Welwyn Garden City, including: St Albans, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hertford, Wheathampstead, Luton, Stevenage, Oaklands, Knebworth, Digswell, Welwyn, London Colney, and Hitchin.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Chiropractic is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). Paula, Alex, Sam, and Panja are all registered with the GCC and hold individual registration numbers. They are fully insured and are also members of the United Chiropractic Association. Chris Pickard is a Spinal Manipulative Therapist with over 25 years of experience. He is also fully insured and is an outstanding practitioner. Our three Massage Therapists — Aaron, Kerry, and Alice — are all fully qualified and fully insured.

What are your opening hours?

We are open six days a week:

Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 8:00pm

Saturday: 8:30am – 1:30pm

Sunday: Closed

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

• All UK debit and credit cards (including AMEX)

• Cash

• Bank transfer (in advance of your appointment)

How long has the Health and Vitality Centre been operating?

We are proud to be celebrating our 15th year of serving the community.

Do you offer emergency appointments?

Yes, We will always do everything we can to see you on the same day. While this isn’t always possible, having a large clinical team gives us more flexibility than smaller clinics. On average, 8 out of 10 emergency cases are seen on the same day.

Do you provide free Spine and Posture health checks or health talks for local businesses and organisations?

Yes, we do. We believe Chiropractic can benefit everyone, and we don’t think anyone in our community should struggle unnecessarily with pain or dysfunction. For that reason, we are happy to provide:

• Free spinal and posture health checks

• Educational health talks

• Community and workplace wellness support