First Chiropractic Exam? 5 Things to be Prepared For
Have you decided to give the chiropractor a try? Then check out this guide to learn what to expect from your first chiropractic exam.
Are you preparing to visit a chiropractor’s office for the first time?
According to Spine Universe, chiropractors treat over 27 million Americans each year. That’s an average of almost 74,000 patients each day across the country!
Chiropractic treatment is known for health benefits like reducing pain levels and helping patients experience better posture, among others. But going to the chiropractor for the first time is unknown territory for a new patient.
Read on to learn 5 things to be prepared for during your first chiropractic exam.
1. Providing Health Information
Your chiropractor’s office will want to get to know you and your health history.
This means that you must be prepared to answer some questions about your health and provide personal information. You should be sure to bring your photo ID or driver’s license and your health insurance card.
Before you go to the chiropractor’s office, you should consider where you have been experiencing pain, for how long and what may be the cause of it. This will help your chiropractor be able to identify the biggest problem areas for you.
2. Undergoing a Physical Examination
A visit to the chiropractor is very much a hands-on visit once you get the paperwork out of the way.
Your chiropractor will perform a physical examination of your body to help him or her diagnose the condition(s) you are experiencing at the time. This includes testing your range of motion, muscular strength and reflexes.
A chiropractor will also examine your spine and your neck, as well as any other areas that you tell them are making you feel uncomfortable.
3. Making Adjustments
Perhaps one of the most well-known aspects of a chiropractor’s practice is the adjustments part of your visit.
A chiropractor typically has you lay face up (or face down) on a padded table. Once you are in place and comfortable, the chiropractor will make adjustments to your neck and spine by performing different stretches and movements on your body.
You will often hear cracking or popping as these adjustments loosen your spine and/or neck.
This will help you to feel relief in your problem areas.
4. Designing a Treatment Program
Chiropractic treatment is not the sort of medical treatment where one visit solves all your problems.
The first visit is merely a starting point for your future treatment. Your chiropractor will likely recommend a form of treatment that requires you to come to the office for treatment weekly or monthly.
For example, the K2 Health Center in Encinitas, California, offers long-term chiropractic treatment programs that use precise adjustments that often help you decrease the frequency of your visits.
5. Receiving Information About Your Condition
Your chiropractor will likely offer you some reading material about his or her practice, as well as any condition you may be experiencing at the time.
This will help you to learn more about the condition and better understand the forms of treatment you are receiving at the office.
Taking the time to read these materials will help you have a good sense of the treatment program and why you are doing it.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Your First Chiropractic Exam
Your first chiropractic exam is a valuable opportunity to meet your chiropractor. It is also the time to begin receiving the treatment and relief you need.
Are you interested in learning more about ways to ease your back pain?
Check out our blog post on the Top 10 Tips for Breaking Free from Back Pain!
