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Your First Chiropractic Visit

  • Writer: Cameron Stewart, D.C.
    Cameron Stewart, D.C.
  • Nov 19, 2019
  • 3 min read

You’ve decided to visit a #chiropractor, but you’re not quite sure what to expect on your first visit. The following post will help you feel at ease during your first #chiropractic appointment.


During the first visit, the #doctor of chiropractic—commonly referred to as a chiropractor—will complete a thorough examination that typically includes:

  • Patient history

  • Physical examination

  • Diagnostic studies (when indicated)

  • Diagnosis

  • Chiropractic #treatment plan

Patient History


Prior to your initial #consultation, you will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about your symptoms and condition. #Questions may include:

  • When did your #pain/condition start?

  • Where is the pain located?

  • Did your pain/condition immediately follow an #injury or #accident?

  • Does anything improve or worsen the pain?

  • What treatments have you already tried, and how successful were they?

You may also be asked to provide a family #medical history, any preexisting medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous and current health providers and treatments.


To properly diagnose your problem and design a treatment program, your chiropractor needs to know about any of the following:


When applicable, bring with you any copies of previous tests including #MRI or X-ray reports, lab results, and a list of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, teas, and #homeopathic and/or #naturopathic substances.

Chiropractic Physical Examination


The next step is a physical examination your chiropractor will perform to evaluate your condition and develop a working diagnosis. In addition to general physical examination procedures such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature, the examination will include specific #orthopedic and #neurological tests to assess:

  • Range of motion of the affected area that is observed while you walk, turn, bend, or lift

  • Muscle tone

  • Muscle strength

  • Neurological integrity

  • Posture

Diagnostic Studies


Diagnostic studies help diagnose conditions more accurately. The most common ones used by

chiropractors include:

  • X-ray

  • #MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

  • #CT(computed tomography)

  • #Bone scan

  • Laboratory tests


Many chiropractic offices have their own X-ray equipment, but an MRI scan and the more extensive test may be referred to an outside center.

Diagnosis


The combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies will allow your chiropractor to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help the doctor of chiropractic determine whether your condition or pain may respond to chiropractic care.


The chiropractor will explain:

  • The diagnosed condition

  • The chiropractic treatment plan (or other recommended treatments)

  • The anticipated length of care


If your chiropractor determines that your condition would be more appropriately treated by another health care professional, he or she will make the proper referral. Your treatment plan may also involve collaborative care with other health care providers, such as your primary care physician, a physical therapist, or a neurologist. In many cases, such as those involving low back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary treatment method. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal problems associated with the condition.

Treatment


If you and your doctor of chiropractic agree that chiropractic will #help, you will receive your first chiropractic #adjustment. While patients are typically asked to lie on a specially designed table, the chiropractor most often uses his or her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the #spine, to reduce pain and restore or enhance joint #function. Your doctor of chiropractic will adapt the treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Other treatments, including therapeutic #ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, #ice and #heat, #traction, soft-tissue #massage, and rehabilitative #exercises may also be used.


The extent and duration of the patient’s problems coupled with the hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment may require numerous visits. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you how long you can expect the treatment to last.


You may also receive instructions on certain activities or procedures to conduct at home. This may include ice or heat application, avoidance of certain activities or positions, as well as home exercises and/or #stretches.


There are thousands of good #chiropractors available that use sound, well-documented procedures. Choose a chiropractor you are comfortable with, who addresses your health concerns, and who uses sound principles of modern health.

When Will I Feel Better?


Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but it may take others two to three weeks before they achieve substantial progress. Many factors can affect the healing process. Are you suffering from a chronic problem or pain? Do you smoke? Are you following the recommended treatment plan? Usually, the more fully patients carry out the doctor’s recommendations, the better the results.

Reference: "What to expect at the first chiropractor consultation," www.spine-health.com

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