What To Expect At Your First Visit

1. Paperwork & Health History

  • Forms: You’ll likely fill out forms detailing your medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle habits, and any past injuries or surgeries.
  • Discussion: The chiropractor will review your health history and ask you questions about your pain, posture, daily activities, and overall health. This helps them understand the context of your condition.

2. Physical Examination

  • Postural Assessment: The chiropractor will assess your posture and how you move. They may ask you to stand, sit, or walk to observe how your body functions in different positions.
  • Range of Motion Tests: You may be asked to perform various movements to check your flexibility and identify areas of tension, pain, or stiffness.
  • Palpation: The chiropractor will use their hands to feel your spine, muscles, and joints for misalignments, areas of tenderness, or abnormalities.
  • Neurological & Orthopedic Tests: They might perform specific tests to evaluate your nerve function, muscle strength, reflexes, and how your body responds to certain movements. These are especially common if you have symptoms like numbness, tingling, or shooting pains.

3. Discussion of Findings

  • After the examination, the chiropractor will explain their findings to you. They’ll discuss whether chiropractic care is suitable for your condition and what treatment options are available.
  • They may also refer you to X-rays or another healthcare provider if further diagnostic tests are needed.

4. Treatment Plan

  • If appropriate, the chiropractor may begin treatment during the same visit. This could involve spinal adjustments or other techniques like soft tissue work, heat/ice therapy, or stretches.
  • They’ll likely outline a treatment plan, which may include frequency of visits, types of adjustments, and any home exercises or lifestyle changes.

5. Questions & Concerns

  • Feel free to ask about the techniques they use, any concerns you have, or the expected outcomes. Chiropractors encourage open communication so they can address any discomfort or uncertainty you may have.

6. Follow-Up Appointments

  • Chiropractic care is often most effective with a series of treatments, so your chiropractor will discuss a follow-up plan and how often you should come in for care.

Overall, the first visit is a combination of assessment and education. It’s about understanding your needs and starting a treatment plan tailored to your health goals.