Dr. Heather answers some common questions...
Q: What should I expect at my first visit to a chiropractor?
First and foremost, we will talk about what is going on with you--and you will be heard!
I may ask questions like:
Then, an exam is performed that assesses both the medical and mechanical aspects of your pain.
We will look at how things are moving; your alignment, muscle tone, nerve function, how well you can bend, turn, twist, and what kind of movements reproduce the symptoms you’re having. If you haven’t had imaging and we need to order it, we can do that.
After the exam, we’ll have a discussion:
“This is what I think is happening, this is what I can offer you, and this is how I think it will help you.”
If we determine that chiropractic care can help you and you decide that you would like to be treated here, we will give you your first chiropractic adjustment at this visit.
The adjustment itself is done with the doctors' hands and/or a drop adjusting table. The table is a gentle but effective way to get the joints moving without needing any large twisting motions.
Before the adjustment takes place, I will thoroughly explain everything that will happen during the adjustment.
I may ask questions like:
- Are there certain areas that are bothering you?
- How did pain your begin?
- What is your level of pain, 1-10?
- What is affected when you do this or that?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- What outcome are you hoping to achieve?
Then, an exam is performed that assesses both the medical and mechanical aspects of your pain.
We will look at how things are moving; your alignment, muscle tone, nerve function, how well you can bend, turn, twist, and what kind of movements reproduce the symptoms you’re having. If you haven’t had imaging and we need to order it, we can do that.
After the exam, we’ll have a discussion:
“This is what I think is happening, this is what I can offer you, and this is how I think it will help you.”
If we determine that chiropractic care can help you and you decide that you would like to be treated here, we will give you your first chiropractic adjustment at this visit.
The adjustment itself is done with the doctors' hands and/or a drop adjusting table. The table is a gentle but effective way to get the joints moving without needing any large twisting motions.
Before the adjustment takes place, I will thoroughly explain everything that will happen during the adjustment.
Q: What will happen after that first visit?
After the adjustment, normal reactions can be feeling relief, not noticing any immediate change, or feeling a little sore.
Everyone is different in how they feel after an adjustment, and every body is different in how healing takes place. The symptoms you are feeling are your body telling you that something is wrong. We will not simply work with you to relieve your symptoms, but work to correct the cause of those symptoms so they don’t just return if you stop getting adjusted.
What we might ask you to do at home:
After your adjustment, specific stretching or exercises will be given, if its appropriate, to continue addressing the problem at home.
Ice or heat therapy may be advised as well.
Patients who are proactive and take their care seriously, following the recommended treatment plan, see results.
If there is a need for a referral to another practitioner to work with us or instead of chiropractic, we will not hesitate to do that.
Everyone is different in how they feel after an adjustment, and every body is different in how healing takes place. The symptoms you are feeling are your body telling you that something is wrong. We will not simply work with you to relieve your symptoms, but work to correct the cause of those symptoms so they don’t just return if you stop getting adjusted.
What we might ask you to do at home:
After your adjustment, specific stretching or exercises will be given, if its appropriate, to continue addressing the problem at home.
Ice or heat therapy may be advised as well.
Patients who are proactive and take their care seriously, following the recommended treatment plan, see results.
If there is a need for a referral to another practitioner to work with us or instead of chiropractic, we will not hesitate to do that.
Q: How fast will I see and feel results?
Results will vary with each patient, because life varies for each patient!
Work and daily life can play a part in how we feel and how our bodies work, so individual situations will be discussed as needed.
We will talk through how long it should take to see results and how you can support that care in your daily life.
Work and daily life can play a part in how we feel and how our bodies work, so individual situations will be discussed as needed.
We will talk through how long it should take to see results and how you can support that care in your daily life.