When trying something new, especially as it relates to your health, you may feel trepidation. A visit to a chiropractor doesn’t have to fill you with worry if you have an idea of what to expect. It’s a good idea to know four common elements of a chiropractic visit, so you aren’t surprised when you get there.
- History
Your first trip to the practice will likely not have you getting spinal adjustments done unless you have a prior chiropractic treatment record. When you first begin any new therapy, it is common for the first appointment to serve as a consultation of sorts. The practitioner will meet and go over your medical history and treatment record. You will explain what your expectations are from the therapy, and the chiropractor will either support or correct you as needed. The goal of this appointment is for the provider to ensure the course of treatment will work best, given your history and that you are comfortable.
- Exam
At the consultation, the chiropractor will likely perform a very light exam of your spinal alignment. They often check on how the pelvis and hips line up and if there are any issues with joint mobility. The provider will also check your gait in an attempt to spot any kind of abnormality.
- Adjustment
The next appointment may begin your treatment. Spinal manipulation, also called an adjustment, is a unique technique only chiropractors are trained to perform. The provider uses the hands and on occasion, specialized hand tools to push your spine into proper alignment. The goal of an adjustment is to take the pressure off the tissue and nerves surrounding the spine and open the pathway for the nervous system to transmit messages to and from the brain. When the spine is out of alignment, the signals can be impeded and misinterpreted by the brain as pain in another area.
- Instructions
Once the alignment is done, you may feel achy and exhausted. Depending on how misaligned the spine was, one treatment may not be enough. You may have to continue to go back, and often for pain management, this is the case. The pain during and after the alignment should not be intense. If it is, your chiropractor will want to know about it. Therefore, when you leave after your first spinal alignment, you will probably be instructed to come back the next day so you can express any concerns to the provider.
A chiropractor, like a chiropractor for physical therapy in Kennewick, WA from Northwest Injury Clinics, is an excellent ally in the fight against pain. Speaking with one yourself may help alleviate further concerns.