First time? Here’s What to Expect!
Maybe you slept wrong and you just can’t shake it. Maybe you experienced some sort of trauma like an auto accident. Maybe you can sense when it’s going to rain in your hips and you’re curious about whether that’s normal. Whatever reason brings you to the chiropractic office for the very first time, we want to cover some “what to expect now that you’re here” topics. Read on!
Chiropractic focuses on restoring, maintaining, and optimizing health through hands-on care. The main purpose of chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation complex (a misalignment of the spinal bones causing dysfunction in nerve signal transmission) which then removes interference to the nervous system, increases spinal and extremity joint function and improves range of motion. As a non-invasive, drug-free treatment, it’s a great option for many people for many reasons. Chiropractic care should be at the top of your list of possibilities for addressing your health difficulties because it comes with an abundance of advantages that can help you live a better life.
When you make an appointment to meet with a chiropractic professional for the very first time, you will begin with a consultation to address your overall health, a physical exam, medical history, x-rays, and finances, as with other medical appointments. The chiropractor will utilize the information you provide to construct a specific treatment plan, so the first appointment may or may not include an adjustment.
Your chiropractor will provide you with a list of recommendations prior to your first consultation and appointment to ensure you have a successful first appointment. They will request a detailed inventory of your symptoms, prescriptions, diagnosis, and concerns. Your chiropractor, like your primary doctor, will ask you for detailed family history to better understand your body and treat you correctly. Make a list of any illnesses or conditions that your immediate family members have had in the past that you know about, as it will create a better experience for you.
The chiropractor will run general tests during the examination, such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and reflexes. In addition, specific orthopedic and neurological examinations allow further examination of a range of motion, muscle tone and strength, and neurological integrity. Further chiropractic examinations, such as having the patient move in a specific way, posture analysis, or assessing the motion of the affected body part, may be required to identify the affected area.
Wear loose-fitting, comfy clothing to your first (and subsequent) visit. This will enable the chiropractor to examine you and do any required testing, such as X-rays. Clothes need to be easy to move in and non-restrictive such as workout clothing. Avoid dresses and skirts if at all possible for a more comfortable experience.
Some chiropractors will feel a problem during the initial examination; then, they may offer to perform an adjustment on the first visit. However, it is possible that your doctor may need to formulate a plan before implementation. In most cases, if you have an adjustment on your first appointment, you may expect a quick and painless treatment.
To reduce restrictions throughout the spine, the chiropractor may push, pull, or twist a piece of your body. As your joints move, you might hear a “popping” sound. The pop is nothing to be concerned about because it is a common side effect. Some people claim that this realignment provides immediate relief. You may experience immediate relief after your first visit. Chiropractic adjustments rarely hurt when done appropriately for the individual ailment being treated. However, the procedure can make the patient feel a little unpleasant and sore after a therapy session or provide them immediate relief. In addition, following a chiropractic adjustment treatment, the body may experience a warm or tingling sensation.
Treatments are generally painless, but you may feel sore afterward, comparable to after a workout. On the other hand, the muscles will adjust and loosen up over time. Chiropractors can adjust the head, jaws, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, pelvis, knees, and ankles, among other parts of the body. Even though you might feel better, it’s important to not overdo it following an adjustment, or you’ll end up right back where you started: in pain.
The concept behind chiropractic therapy is that the interaction between the structure and function of the body impacts your overall health. The spinal cord, which connects a large part of the peripheral nervous system to the brain and serves as the main support for our bodies, is protected by the spine. Even a minor spinal injury or muscle abuse can significantly affect a person’s strength, sensibility, and performance in a variety of different ways.
Chiropractic treatments can provide instant relief for many patients, while others with different symptoms and conditions may need more treatment for relief. At Momentum, we are here to help you on your road to recovery with a full team ready to treat your conditions, personalized to you. Get in touch with us today!