Your First Chiropractic Visit: What to Expect
By Randi Morse
A good physician, or chiropractor, will do everything they can to help make you feel comfortable during your appointment. But it can still be intimidating to go into a new situation, especially one that you are unfamiliar with or very unsure about. You may have been advised to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is becoming more and more normalized in western society, which is great news for anyone who struggles with back pain or spinal issues. If you're headed to your first chiropractic visit, here is what you should expect.
Intake
When you first arrive at the office you will be asked to fill out paperwork. This is pretty standard when it comes to any office involved in the healthcare industry. There may be questions about your past physical health or the health of your immediate family members. All of this information is designed to help the chiropractor learn more about you so that they can give you the best and most accurate treatment possible.
History and Symptoms
Your paperwork may request that you write down any symptoms or history that is similar to your current experience, but your chiropractor will also want you to go into more detail. They may ask questions like:
- Where is the pain?
- How did it start?
- How long have you been dealing with the pain?
- Is it continual or does the pain come and go?
- Are there any activities that make it better or worse?
- Can you describe the pain?
All of these questions will help your chiropractor to narrow down what could be causing your pain.
The Exam
After you've answered any questions your chiropractor has, next is the exam. The exam will test general things as well as specific orthopedic and neurological tests. You may have your blood pressure, pulse, and reflexes tested, along with your muscle tone, strength, range of motion and neurological integrity. You may be asked to be more specific or your chiropractor may manipulate your body to help determine a diagnosis.
It can be a little unnerving to go to a chiropractor when you have never gone to one before, but the staff and chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic will do everything they can to help make you feel comfortable before, during, and after your appointment. Swing by The Joint Chiropractic to enjoy open office hours, affordable rates, and a thorough chiropractic exam.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Clearwater, Fla.