How to Improve Your Chiropractic Experience
By Paul Rothbart
As helpful as chiropractic care can be, it can also be a daunting experience, especially for those who are new to it. People worry if it will hurt, if it will take a long time, if it will work. Anxiety makes everything less enjoyable. Getting a chiropractic adjustment is treating potential problems and, most of the time, a very positive experience. Here are things you can do to help make your visits to the chiropractor more pleasant.
Be Honest and Ask Questions
At your first appointment, the chiropractor will ask questions about your medical history. At future appointments, you will be asked about any discomfort or pain you are currently feeling. Be completely honest. The chiropractor is there to help you. To do that effectively, your information must be accurate. Especially at first, there will be things you don't understand or want to know more about. Feel free to ask. The chiropractor will be happy to take the time to fully explain the details of how adjustments work or anything else you would like to know. The unknown can be scary. Being informed makes the experience less so.
Dress Comfortably
You are going to be sitting or lying on a table while your limbs are moved into various positions. This will feel much more comfortable if you dress right. Exercise clothing is very good for a chiropractic visit. It's comfortable and allows full range of motion. Avoid business clothes, tight jeans, and anything that feels restrictive. You might look good in them, but you are getting physical treatment, not walking the runway.
Hydrate
Just as drinking water before exercise is beneficial to the experience, so too is it for a chiropractic visit. Joints move more freely when the body is properly hydrated. Be sure to drink far enough before the visit to let the water get into your system and to avoid having to run to the bathroom in the middle of the treatment. Drink more water after the appointment. This will help with any stiffness or soreness you may (potentially) experience.
Don't Fear the Sounds
During a chiropractic adjustment, it is normal to sometimes hear a popping sound as your limbs and joints are manipulated. Don't be alarmed. This is not a sign of injury. Pockets of gas are being released from the joints and creating the sounds. It's exactly what happens when cracking your knuckles. It's a natural part of the experience and not at all harmful.
Visiting a chiropractor can cause anxiety or even fear, particularly for new patients. By following these steps, you can begin to relax and enjoy the benefits that chiropractic can bring you. Now that you know how to prepare, consider stopping by The Joint Chiropractic to experience first hand what a licensed chiropractor can do for you.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Atlanta, Ga.