If you have never visited a chiropractor, you probably have many questions. What can you expect? How are you going to feel afterward? How effective are the treatments? And the biggest question of them all: will it hurt?
Anything unknown can be scary, but luckily, good chiropractors discuss treatment options and explain them before starting with a treatment plan. Read on to learn what you can expect on your first chiropractic visit.
Setting Up Your Appointment
You can usually schedule an appointment by calling your chiropractor or filling a form on their website. You don’t need any special preparation, just be there on time.
Once you are at the center, you will be greeted by friendly staff. You’ll need to fill in some quick paperwork, and then you are ready to see a chiropractor.
Duration of Your First Visit
The initial visit to the chiropractor is usually the longest one. You have a lot of ground to cover, and they try to get to know you and understand your health problem. It typically lasts 45 minutes or more, compared to routine visits that usually take no longer than 20 minutes.
During this initial visit, your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms, medical history, perform a physical exam, and in some cases, even start the treatment. They will also propose a treatment plan and talk to you in detail about it. Remember, chiropractors are holistic practitioners who want to improve your overall well-being, so they always try to build a therapeutic relationship and trust. It’s vital that you feel comfortable and understand the treatment and how it can help you improve your condition.
Discussing Symptoms and Medical History
Most people only consider chiropractors for their neck and back pain, but they can do so much more. You can visit a chiropractor for headaches, digestive issues, joint problems, fibromyalgia, arthritis, sports injuries, and so much more.
Once you start discussing your symptoms with your chiropractor, they may ask a series of questions like:
- When did the symptoms start?
- Where do you feel the pain?
- How intensive is it on a scale of 1-10?
- Can you describe the pain (sharp, dull, chronic, burning, etc.)
- Do some activities make it better or worse?
They may ask other questions depending on your condition. In addition, they will want to know about your habits and medical history. So, prepare to describe some things like:
- Personal and family medical history
- Recent illnesses or surgeries
- Medication
- Current stress levels
- Sleep habits
- Diet and exercise
- How you feel in general
Physical Exam
Once your chiropractor learns enough about your condition, they will perform a physical exam. They may observe your range of motion, muscle tone and strength, posture, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, neurological state, and more.
Once they run all the tests, they will give you a diagnosis and propose a treatment plan. Sometimes, you’ll start with the treatment on your first visit, while other times, they may need more time to run the necessary tests.
Scheduling the Chiropractic Exam in Spring, Texas
Spring Chiropractic and Rehab is the perfect place to schedule your first chiropractic exam. Our experienced team is super friendly and will do anything to make you feel comfortable during your visit.
Our staff consists of some of the best chiropractors out there, including the famous Dr. Scott Bolz. So, book your first appointment today, and discover why we are the best chiropractic center in Spring, Texas.