If you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or limited movement, the most important thing is understanding what’s actually going on — and having a clear plan to move forward. Whether your pain came on suddenly or has been building for months, a thorough assessment is always the starting point.
I’m Christopher Burdon DC, a GCC-registered chiropractor (registration number 03033) based at Active Health Chiropractic Clinic, 86 Northern Road, Portsmouth, PO6 3ER. I’ve been practising for nearly 20 years, working with patients dealing with everything from acute neck and back pain to long-standing postural problems and recurring joint issues.
My approach is straightforward: find out what’s causing the problem, explain it clearly, reduce the pain, restore movement, and give you the tools to stay better long-term. You won’t be told to just “rest and take painkillers” — you’ll leave with a specific, practical plan.
About Christopher Burdon DC
- Qualification: Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Regulatory body: General Chiropractic Council (GCC), registration 03033
- Experience: Nearly 20 years in clinical practice
- Clinic: Active Health Chiropractic Clinic, Portsmouth
- Specialisms: Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, postural rehabilitation
In the UK, chiropractic is a statutorily regulated profession. All practising chiropractors must be registered with the GCC, which sets standards for education, conduct and continuing professional development. You can verify registration at gcc-uk.org.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Every appointment starts with a thorough assessment — not just a quick look at where it hurts, but a detailed picture of what’s driving the problem.
This includes going through your symptoms and how they started, what makes things better or worse, your movement, posture and strength, and how your body is functioning as a whole.
Having completed a full medical history and examination, we may also take x-rays onsite if clinically justified. You will then be booked in for a follow up appointment where you’ll have a clear explanation of what is causing your pain, and a plan of action as to how we can help.
Helping You Move and Feel Better
Treatment is always tailored to you and your specific problem. No two patients are the same, and neither are two treatment plans — even for the same condition.
Depending on what you need, this may include hands-on treatment to reduce pain and stiffness, guided exercises to improve strength and control, and practical advice on movement, posture and daily activities.
The goal isn’t just short-term relief. It’s to help your body start moving properly again — and to give you the understanding and tools to maintain that improvement yourself.
A Clear Plan Forward
You won’t leave an appointment wondering what to do next. Every patient gets a clear plan that may include simple exercises to do at home, small adjustments to reduce strain in daily life, and a realistic idea of how long recovery is likely to take. If I think you need to see another specialist or get imaging, I’ll tell you that too.
What I Commonly Help With
The conditions below represent the most common presentations seen in clinic. Click through to read more about each condition, understand the typical causes, and find relevant exercises.
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Including tension headaches, tech neck, cervical disc problems, trapped nerves and whiplash. One of the most common presentations in clinic, often linked to posture and prolonged sitting.
Lower Back Pain & Sciatica
Including mechanical back pain, disc bulges, sciatica, spinal stenosis and sacroiliac joint problems. Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide — and highly treatable in most cases.
Shoulder Pain & Limited Movement
Including frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement, rotator cuff problems and postural shoulder issues. Responds well to a combination of hands-on treatment and specific rehabilitation exercises.
Mid Back & Shoulder Blade Pain
Including thoracic stiffness, rib joint pain, kyphosis and postural rounding. Often overlooked, mid-back problems can contribute to neck and shoulder pain when left unaddressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at a first chiropractic appointment?
The first appointment is primarily an assessment. We’ll go through your full history — how long you’ve had the problem, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve tried before, and any relevant medical background. I’ll then carry out a physical examination looking at your movement, posture, strength and any neurological signs. On your follow up appointment, I’ll explain what I’ve found and what I think is contributing to the problem. The whole appointment typically takes around 45 minutes.
How many appointments will I need?
This varies considerably depending on the nature of the problem, how long it has been present, and how your body responds to treatment. Acute problems that have come on recently often respond quickly — sometimes within two or three sessions. Long-standing or more complex problems may take longer. I’ll always give you an honest, realistic expectation at the first appointment. I don’t believe in keeping patients coming back indefinitely — the aim is to get you better and give you the tools to stay that way.
Does chiropractic treatment hurt?
Most chiropractic techniques are not painful — though some areas may be tender during assessment or treatment, particularly if there is significant muscle tightness or inflammation. Spinal manipulation (the “clicking” technique) is generally well tolerated and involves a quick, controlled movement that most patients find relieving rather than uncomfortable. If you are apprehensive, or if there are reasons why manipulation is not appropriate, there are plenty of effective alternative techniques that achieve similar results without any clicking.
Is chiropractic safe?
Yes — chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession in the UK and has a strong safety record when practised by a registered chiropractor. All GCC-registered chiropractors must meet strict standards of education and clinical practice. As with any treatment, there can be some mild side effects after a session — such as temporary soreness — but serious adverse events are rare. At your first appointment we’ll discuss your health history to identify any factors that might affect what techniques are most appropriate for you.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners, which means you can come straight to us with a new problem without needing to see your GP first. If I think your problem requires medical investigation or input from another specialist, I’ll advise you accordingly and can write to your GP if needed.
How is chiropractic different from physiotherapy or osteopathy?
All three professions work with musculoskeletal problems and share some overlap in techniques. Physiotherapy tends to focus more heavily on rehabilitation exercise. Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach to structure and function. Chiropractic places particular emphasis on the relationship between the spine, nervous system and overall function, and often incorporates spinal manipulation alongside exercise and advice. In practice, the difference often comes down to the individual practitioner — their training, experience and approach matter more than the professional label.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are not sure whether chiropractic is right for your problem, the best step is to book an initial appointment. The assessment itself will give you a clear picture of what’s going on and what your options are — even if you decide chiropractic isn’t the right path for you, you’ll leave with useful information and direction. You can also send a question beforehand if there’s something specific you’d like to check first.
If you’d like to explore your area of pain first, start with the relevant guide:
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Appointments are booked through Active Health Chiropractic Clinic at 86 Northern Road, Portsmouth, PO6 3ER.
You don’t need to have all the answers — that’s what the assessment is for.