If you’re considering chiropractic care, it’s important to know what to expect before your appointment. This will help ensure a smooth and painless experience.
On your first visit, a chiropractor will perform an exam to identify the problem area. They’ll do a range of tests including postural assessments, orthopedic and neurological tests and muscle tests to get an idea of how your body is functioning.
What to Expect
When you’re visiting a chiropractor for the first time, there are a few things you should know before your appointment. These include your medical history, the type of care you want, and what to expect during your adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments are therapeutic manipulations that involve the use of controlled force, leverage, direction, amplitude, and velocity to treat specific joints. They are used to alleviate pain, increase mobility, improve function, and help restore proper structural alignment of the body’s spine.
Many people have questions about what to expect during their chiropractic adjustment. The most common is, “Is it going to hurt?”
Fortunately, most adjustments do not cause any pain. In fact, many people find that the procedure is relaxing and even enjoyable!
Another question patients have is, “How long will it take to feel better?” The answer depends on your unique condition. In general, however, most patients feel relief within a week of their first chiropractic visit.
Your chiropractor may be able to give you a timeline for how quickly you should start to see results. They will also be able to recommend follow-up visits and explain how often they plan to see you to help you reach your goal.
Before your appointment, be sure to fill out all of the doctor’s patient forms and gather any information regarding your current medications or past therapy or surgery. These details can be a huge help when establishing a personalized treatment plan for you.
During your appointment, your chiropractor will perform an intake and physical exam to determine the nature of your symptoms. They’ll then take note of any previous injuries or surgeries you have had, and any other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Once the exam is complete, the chiropractor will take you to a padded table where they will apply a series of gentle adjustments to different parts of your body. These adjustments can be performed face up, on your side, or in other positions depending on the type of problem you’re experiencing and how your body responds to them.
You may also hear popping or cracking noises as your bones move back into place. This is normal, as your spinal bones and discs release trapped air from between them.
Preparing for Your Appointment
You need to know what to expect before your first chiropractic adjustment. This includes preparing for your appointment, ensuring you’re on time and ready to talk with your chiropractor, and preparing for what will happen during your treatment.
During your appointment, the chiropractor will ask questions about your pain and why you are seeking care. This helps the doctor tailor a treatment plan to best suit your needs.
Some chiropractors also perform a physical exam during your visit. This may include palpating or feeling your spine for any abnormalities, examining the way your body moves and asking you about your past injuries.
While you’re waiting, make sure to have everything you need on hand, including a list of your medical history, medications, and insurance information. This can save you time and make the process less stressful.
You may also want to call your insurance company and make sure you’re covered, since they can help you with questions about copays, deductibles and more. Once you’ve arrived, the doctor will begin the appointment by going over your forms and answering any questions you have about your health.
After the doctor has gathered all the information, they will conduct a physical exam to determine how your back is functioning and whether it is possible that you might benefit from chiropractic treatment. Your chiropractor will likely perform a manual therapy technique known as manipulation to correct misalignments and restore proper movement to your spinal bones.
The doctor may also perform a brief massage after your adjustment to relax the muscles and increase your range of motion. This is a great way to relax and improve the healing process.
Be sure to wear comfortable, moveable clothing that you can easily get into and out of. Gently fitted t-shirts, pants and leggings are most common and can accommodate your position on the table. Gentlemen should avoid wearing tight jeans, suspenders or belts as they could cause discomfort while lying down on the table.
You’ll need to have your medical records on hand so the chiropractor can look them up before adjusting you. You should also bring any additional paperwork or notes you might have about your symptoms and conditions. This will make the adjustment process much easier for you and your chiropractor. If you have any other questions, contact Chirocare before your scheduled appointment.
Arriving on Time
Whether you’re new to chiropractic care or an existing patient, it’s important to arrive at your appointment on time. This will help ensure that you get the most out of your treatment and maximize your results.
Arriving on time will also make it easier for your chiropractor to prepare for your appointment. They will have all of the information they need to start working on your specific problem, and they’ll be able to give you the best treatment possible.
It’s also a good idea to bring your medical records, including any x-rays, CT scans or MRIs that you have had in the past. It’s also a good idea to provide your chiropractor with any medications you’re taking and your insurance information, so that they can be sure to file the right paperwork for you.
One of the first things your chiropractor will do when you arrive for your appointment is talk to you about your pain or injury, and ask about how long it has been since the symptoms started. They will then examine you and discuss their findings with you.
They will then recommend a treatment plan for you, which could include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point injections or a combination of techniques. This is typically a process that will last for nine to 10 weeks, but it can be personalized to your needs.
Once you’ve been adjusted, it’s a good idea to stay active and move around as much as possible. This will help prevent your body from reverting to the same position that caused you pain in the first place.
Aside from that, it’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water. This will flush out any toxins that might have built up in your system after the adjustments.
Aside from these tips, it’s also a good idea for you to keep up your regular exercise routine as well. This will not only help you get the most out of your adjustment, but it will also keep your muscles in the best shape possible.
During Your Appointment
Getting a chiropractic adjustment is one of the best ways to relieve your back pain and other physical issues. During your first appointment, your chiropractor will perform a series of tests to determine the source of your pain and develop an effective treatment plan.
Your chiropractor will use a variety of methods to adjust your spine. Some will use their hands to push, pull or twist the joints in order to find and correct misalignments, while others will rely on more advanced technology like a drop table or activator. Regardless of how the chiropractor manipulates your spine, the goal is to restore normal alignment and allow the body to heal itself naturally.
You may feel some discomfort after your adjustment, but this should only last a day or two. This is because your muscles and tissues need to adjust to the new positioning of the joints. This can make you feel a little sore or achy, just like after a workout.
The aches and pains you experience after your adjustment are a sign that the adjustment has been successful in opening up stiff joints. It is also important to eat healthy foods after your adjustment because this will help your body recover quickly.
During your exam, the chiropractor will assess your spine, bones, joints and soft tissues. This includes checking your range of motion, inspecting the curves in your spinal cord and examining your nerve function. They will also ask you to perform light exercises to ensure they can identify any underlying issues that are contributing to your pain.
They will also take a close look at your posture, checking for tightness, sloucheness, or forward head tilt. If they detect any of these symptoms, they will make a note of it so that they can address them during your next visit.
A chiropractor should also ask you about any past treatments, injuries or health conditions that you have had. These details can help your doctor tailor your treatment plan to achieve your goals.
In addition to your medical history, you should bring a list of any medications you are currently taking. If you are experiencing any side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, let the chiropractor know so that they can monitor the situation.