If you've booked an appointment with a local chiropractor for a physical health issue and you haven't previously experienced this form of treatment, it's only natural to experience a little uncertainty in the hours leading up to your visit. You can often reduce any hesitation that you're feeling by familiarizing yourself with what you can expect to have happen at the initial appointment. It's important to know that chiropractic care isn't a "one size fits all" form of treatment -- you can expect that your treatment plan will be specifically tailored to help you achieve your health goals. Here are three things to expect at your first visit to the chiropractor.
You'll Discuss Your Health Issues At Length
Your first visit to the chiropractor is typically longer than subsequent appointments because you and your chiropractor will have an extensive discussion about your overall health. You'll talk not only about the chief reason for your visit, such as relief for chronic back pain, but also discuss your results from previous health practitioners, if you're taking any medication, what lifestyle factors might be contributing to your discomfort and more. This is also a time to share any reservations you might have about the chiropractic adjustment process; if you're concerned that it will hurt, for example, your health professional will be able to clearly explain how the adjustment will feel.
You'll Be Assessed
After you've talked with your chiropractor, he or she will typically put you through a series of assessment exercises to help evaluate your overall health. This process is important to give the chiropractor a clear picture of your health before the adjustment begins. It's common to have both your posture and your gait assessed, which is a simple process that involves sitting in a chair or walking back and forth across the room, respectively. It's also common to have your spine X-rayed and go through a series of simple medical tests, such as checking your pulse.
You'll Have An Adjustment And Discuss Aftercare Techniques
Although the chiropractic adjustment is the main part of your initial visit, it often takes just a few minutes. After the chiropractor has a clear picture of your health, you'll typically position yourself on his or her treatment table for the adjustment. The nature of the adjustment varies according to your health complaint and even the chiropractor's approach, but it often involves a series of quick manipulations. Some patients report a degree of discomfort during this process, followed by relief, while others report no discomfort at all. After the adjustment, your chiropractor will highlight some important aftercare techniques, which can include keeping hydrated and partaking in some mild exercise.
Share6 January 2016
After suffering with debilitating back pain for years, I decided it might be a good idea to finally meet with a doctor. I didn't want to beat around the bush with the issue, so I headed straight to a specialist who I thought could help me: a chiropractor. Even though it was my first appointment, my doctor was incredible and got to work right away on my problem. He took images of my spine and then talked with me about the results. I found out that several of my vertebrae were eroding, which was putting a lot of pressure on my spinal column. He made adjustments that made me feel a lot better right away. Check out this blog to learn more about how a chiropractor could help you.