What to expect for your first Chiropractic appointment

Knowing what to expect during your visit is beneficial.

The more you know about chiropractic therapy, the more likely you are to enjoy your visit to the chiropractor.

Chiropractors realign your spine and other joints to improve their function. This is referred to as manipulation or adjustment by chiropractors. However, chiropractic care entails more than just spinal decompression and joint manipulations.

Chiropractic practitioners attend school for about the same amount of time as medical doctors do. Chiropractors are experts in bone, joint, and nervous system diseases, as well as exercise therapy and nutrition. They assess nerve function as well as the mobility of your spine and major joints.

• Chiropractic General Consult

A chiropractor will sit down with you to evaluate patient history and symptoms before doing any adjustments or procedures. If you’ve come in to talk about pain, they’ll want to know where it’s coming from and how long it has been going on. On a standard medical pain scale, how would you rate it? Are there any additional signs or symptoms?

These conversations can help your chiropractor figure out what’s wrong and what the best course of treatment is. If you’re seeking general care, you’ll want to talk about your health objectives and how to attain them. This discussion will act as a road map for anything you do in the future.

A first chiropractic consultation is similar to a first visit with a doctor. It usually involves filling out a health questionnaire and providing answers to questions about your medical history. The chiropractor will ask you to specify where you are in pain and will examine vital signs such as your body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

• Chiropractic Physical Exam

A normal physical exam will be performed first, followed by an examination of the spine and the soft tissues that support it, with special emphasis on the areas of complaint. They will look for spinal curvature and other apparent signs of harm on your body.

They may also perform orthopedic tests to look for problems with the spine, bones, joints, and soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons. Moving the joint and assessing its range of motion are part of an orthopedic assessment. They will also examine the nervous system. These tests look at how well your motor, sensory, and cranial nerves are working (such as testing your reflexes and testing for numbness).

• Chiropractic Adjustment

It’s likely that you’ll need an adjustment during your first visit. This is generally a painless and quick process. You’ll lie down on a table, and the chiropractor will use his or her hands to push, pull, and twist different parts of your body to find and correct any spinal alignments.

As the correction is made, there may be some “popping” or “cracking” sounds, but this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. For some people, an adjustment provides immediate comfort, while for others, it may take several sessions to notice the benefits.

Depending on your reasons for seeking treatment, adjustments may be holistic or targeted to a specific location such as the back, neck, or shoulders. Each modification will be unique to you and tailored to your specific needs.

• Follow up sessions

The chiropractor may offer you exercises to complete at home before you leave. Chiropractors are also trained to assist you with nutrition and diet. They don’t give out prescriptions. However, you may receive food recommendations from your chiropractor, as well as recommended diet supplements or vitamins.

Finally, you should expect to be contacted for a follow-up appointment. The majority of chiropractic treatments last a few weeks. The chiropractor may advise that you come in for 2 or 3visits per week. Follow-up visits are usually shorter than the first, lasting between 10 and 20 minutes. Ask your chiropractor about the duration of your treatments and when you should expect to feel better.

You may have soreness in the place your chiropractor adjusted after a therapy. If your discomfort persists or worsens, make a chiropractic appointment with your practitioner.