A good chiropractor will perform a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may take X-rays and use manual adjustments, soft tissue therapies, mobilization techniques, rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle counseling.
A chiropractic adjustment helps ensure that joints move properly and the surrounding muscles work as they should. It also promotes a healthy posture, which can help you stand taller and feel healthier.
1. Schedule a Consultation
The first step is to schedule your initial consultation. This will help your chiropractor plan out the best treatment for you. They will ask you about your health history and what is causing your pain. They will also want to know what your goals are for the treatment. These goals can vary, but for example, someone who has back pain may be looking to alleviate the pain and improve their range of motion. Another person may be looking to return to rock climbing, swimming, hiking or other physical activities.
Your consultation will include a full exam of your body, including your spine and other joints. They will likely order new or review existing X-rays and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During the adjustment, your chiropractor will apply pressure to areas of your body to move and release tension. This might produce a popping sound, similar to when you crack your knuckles.
It can be helpful to prepare ahead of time by writing down your medical history and bringing it with you on your phone or in a folder. This will make the first appointment much faster and less stressful for you. Also, prepare a list of your medications and supplements as well as the names of any conditions you have.
2. Bring a List of Questions
It’s important to ask questions during the consultation. A chiropractor isn’t a mind reader, and they will be able to answer your questions more accurately if you have a clear idea of what you want to know. This will also help them avoid making assumptions based on partial information and prevent confusion later on.
It is also helpful to ask the chiropractor what they think about your case and how they plan to treat it. For example, do they believe that chiropractic methods should be used solely for back pain or is it appropriate for other conditions? This will help you decide if they are the right fit for your needs.
You should also bring a list of any symptoms you’ve been experiencing since your last visit, including when they started. Lastly, it’s a good idea to make notes on your health goals and what you hope to achieve from chiropractic treatment.
For example, if you’re having digestive issues that are related to your spine, a chiropractor can likely help by making adjustments to your spine and helping you find relief from gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This may not cure the digestive issue, but it can ease the symptoms and help you feel more comfortable while you heal.
3. Bring a List of Your Medical Records
If you have been seeing other doctors or chiropractors, bring all medical records including x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s to your consultation. Bringing these records will help your chiropractor understand the whole picture and isolate the underlying cause of your pain.
Chiropractors are highly trained to recognize when chiropractic is not the best course of treatment for a particular problem and can refer you to a specialist. They can also recommend a health care professional for other treatment options such as physiotherapy or osteopaths.
In the beginning of your treatment, you will likely visit the chiropractor two or three times a week. This helps the chiropractor to identify and treat your problem quickly. As you progress, your appointments will become less frequent.
Pay attention to the chiropractors body language and style of communication during your consultation. Do they listen to you and speak in a way that is easy for you to understand? Avoid chiropractors who are frustrated with your questions or seem to be speaking over you. This is a red flag that they may not be the right fit for you.
4. Bring a List of Your Supplements
Many chiropractors have lived the idiom “live and learn.” They know from their own experiences and those of their patients that there are certain things they wish they would have known earlier in their careers.
For example, one of the most important aspects of chiropractic is the fact that it helps boost the immune system. Studies have shown that spinal misalignments can cause neural dysfunction that stresses the body, making it less able to fight off foreign invaders, like a common cold. Spinal adjustments have been proven to correct the misalignment, allowing your immune system to do its job more effectively.
A chiropractor may also recommend diet and exercise changes to help with your pain management. In addition, they might recommend specific nutritional supplements. Be sure to bring a list of any you currently take.
You should also be wary of any chiropractor who claims to have invented a new technique that nobody else offers. These methods are not necessarily safe and will probably not produce the results you are looking for. Also, pay attention to a chiropractor’s personality and communication style. If they seem impatient or rushed, this could be a sign that they do not value your time.
5. Bring a List of Your Lifestyle Changes
Chiropractors often focus on the relationships between structure and function. When they perform adjustments, they aim to reduce subluxation – a misalignment in the vertebrae of the spine or other joints. This can lead to pain, numbness, tenderness and other health issues.
If you haven’t already, make sure you bring a list of all of the medications you take and any supplements you use. This will help your chiropractor get a complete picture of your current health and can be used as a starting point to develop an effective treatment plan.
You should also bring a list of your daily activities and any other information that would be relevant to your wellness goals. This can include the number of hours you spend sitting or standing, your body weight and any other factors that may affect your health.
For example, if you tend to drink a lot of water, your chiropractor might recommend increasing your daily intake in order to reduce inflammation and promote healing. They might also talk to you about your diet and suggest specific dietary changes to improve your overall health. You might also be encouraged to practice stretches or exercises in between appointments to keep your joints and muscles flexible.
6. Bring a List of Your Pains
Whether it’s a back pain or neck pain, headache, or joint stiffness, chiropractic care is the non-medication alternative to treat musculoskeletal problems. It improves nerve function, increases muscle and joint flexibility and range of motion, and enhances immunity.
During the initial consultation, you will be asked to fill out an intake form and give a medical history of your current health conditions. The chiropractor will also take a complete body examination and may request that you walk, touch the floor, or move in a specific way. This helps the practitioner get a clear idea of where your problem lies and what kind of treatment you will require. WCB patient care can be improved by taking these factors into account.
In addition to the physical examination, you will probably experience your first chiropractic adjustment, which involves lying on a table and being moved in various positions, including face up, side down, and front up. This is done using the chiropractor’s hands or a handheld device. It can be uncomfortable, but it is a necessary part of the chiropractic process. Some people experience flu-like symptoms after their adjustments, such as a runny nose or feeling tired, which is caused by toxins released by the body as it adjusts.
You should be aware that some chiropractors use outdated methods, such as manipulation of the bones without adjusting the joints. Be sure to find out whether the chiropractor takes a modern or straight approach before scheduling an appointment.
7. Bring a List of Your Lifestyle Changes
Chiropractors are well-known for focusing on spine health to help alleviate common problems like pain, but most are also advocates for healthy living. They may recommend lifestyle changes, such as drinking more water or eating more fruits and vegetables, that can improve your overall health.
You should wear loose, comfortable clothing to your chiropractic appointment. Avoid wearing a skirt or dress, which can be difficult to move in. Your chiropractor may need to remove your clothing for imaging, such as x-rays. If you feel uncomfortable with this, discuss it with your chiropractor.
During your first visit, your chiropractor will perform an examination of your body, including taking a full medical history and a physical exam. Your chiropractor will also likely order tests, such as x-rays and an MRI, and may ask you to complete certain physical tasks, such as touching the floor with your hands.
Neck pain is a common problem for many people, and chiropractic can ease it by realigning the spine and easing tension in the neck muscles. It can also reduce stiffness and help you regain strength, which can make it easier to use your arms, hands, and legs. Additionally, cervical manipulation has been shown to be effective for reducing headaches, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.