| What to Expect During Your First Visit to a | | | | to determine precisely how well your body performs |
| Chiropractor | | | | them. |
| People who are about to experience their first | | | | Diagnostic Testing and the Development of a |
| chiropractic treatment often have questions about | | | | Diagnosis |
| chiropractic procedures. Some individuals might be | | | | Once your medical history has been gathered and |
| afraid, while others are nervous because they simply | | | | your physical chiropractic examination has been |
| don't know what to expect. Keep reading, and you'll be | | | | completed, diagnostic testing will be conducted. This is |
| better prepared for what will probably happen during | | | | the stage of your visit where all the gathered |
| your first visit to a chiropractor. | | | | information will be evaluated in hopes of developing an |
| Your Medical History | | | | accurate diagnosis of your condition. Diagnostic testing |
| As is true for initial visits with any other type of medical | | | | might include X-rays, an MRI scan or other procedures. |
| practitioner, your first visit to a chiropractor will begin | | | | After your chiropractor has combined all these |
| with a consultation. You'll be given a form to complete | | | | elements, he or she will have the information needed |
| so your chiropractor is made aware of any | | | | to accurate evaluate and diagnose your condition. The |
| background information related to symptoms or | | | | next step is to determine whether you'll proceed with |
| conditions you're currently experiencing. This | | | | chiropractic care or if alternative treatments are |
| information will help your chiropractor determine | | | | suggested for your condition. |
| whether you have experienced other conditions in the | | | | The Length of Your First Visit |
| past, as well as enable him or her to better determine | | | | Typically, your first visit to a chiropractor will not last |
| the cause of your current complaints. | | | | longer than an hour. That should be enough time for |
| The questions on the medical history form are likely to | | | | him or her to perform the above steps, then evaluate |
| include the following: | | | | the information received and properly diagnose your |
| * When did the pain begin? | | | | condition. You don't want your chiropractor to hurry this |
| * How did the pain start? | | | | process; after all, your health is on the line, and too |
| * Where could you have injured yourself or acquired | | | | much haste could cause some crucial information to |
| the pain? | | | | be overlooked. |
| * Does anything relieve your pain or make it worse? | | | | Developing Your Treatment Plan |
| The main idea behind these questions is to give your | | | | Some chiropractors might begin actually treating a |
| chiropractor the information he or she needs to | | | | patient during the initial visit, but whether this is possible |
| evaluate your condition. The observations recorded on | | | | often depends on the severity of the patient's |
| your medical history form will also be compared to | | | | condition. Other patients will be required to schedule a |
| your previous medical records. | | | | follow-up appointment to begin their treatment |
| A Thorough Physical Examination | | | | sessions. |
| Every chiropractor should conduct a thorough physical | | | | Based on the information gathered, your chiropractor |
| examination before performing any treatment on a | | | | will prescribe a set of goals to be attained by your |
| new patient. Initial testing is typically fairly general and | | | | chiropractic treatment plan. The duration of your |
| includes things like your pulse, breathing rate, an | | | | treatment period will depend on the severity of your |
| evaluation of your reflexes and any required | | | | condition and the treatment method your practitioner |
| orthopedic neurological tests. These tests are intended | | | | selects as the most suitable for your condition. Patients |
| to provide information that is essential for a proper | | | | who suffer from pain caused by joint or muscle issues |
| diagnosis of your condition. | | | | typically have a shorter treatment period than patients |
| Your muscle tone and strength, range of motion in the | | | | who require a complete restoration of their system in |
| specific region of your body that is affected, and any | | | | order to regain bodily functions and improve their daily |
| neurological imbalances are all evaluated during this | | | | lives. These types of treatment plans are generally |
| stage of your first visit to a chiropractor. You might | | | | longer in duration. |
| also be asked to execute several specific movements | | | | |