3 Things To Expect At Your First Chiropractor Visit
If you have never visited a chiropractor in the past but have decided to go now for the pain you are experiencing in your back or neck, you might have no idea what to expect. A visit to a chiropractor has some similarities as a visit to a medical doctor, but there are also some differences, too. Here are the main three things you should expect at your first chiropractor visit.
You Will Fill Out Paperwork
Just like your doctor's office hands you papers to fill out when you come for a new-patient visit, your chiropractor will also ask for this. The papers you fill out will include a variety of different forms, and you will need to fill them all out prior to seeing the chiropractor. The chiropractor will review these before seeing you, and this is done to allow the chiropractor to gain some knowledge of your health status as well as the problems you are currently facing.
The Doctor Will Take X-Rays
Most chiropractors will also take x-rays during a person's first visit, and this step is designed for several purposes. First of all, the chiropractor will want to rule out any conditions that may require medical help. For example, if your back is aching so much you cannot walk, there is a chance you may have a fractured bone in your spine, and this is something the chiropractor would need to know prior to treating you.
The second reason he or she will take x-rays is to gain more knowledge about the cause of your pain. For example, people with neck pain often have problems with the curve in their neck. If this is the case, a chiropractor can provide services for the person and may be able to provide better services simply because he or she knows where the problem lies.
The Doctor Will Perform Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation, also called an adjustment or other terms, is something that is designed to help align your spine in the right way. While some people do not like going through this, others love it. During this technique, you must lie still and relax your entire body. The chiropractor will then twist you or push quickly on a certain part of your body to manipulate the area. People often call this "bone-cracking;" however, it not your bones that are cracking. Instead, it is air that is trapped in your body being released.
These are the three main things you can expect at your first chiropractor visit. To learn more, contact a chiropractic care clinic today.