Your First Visit to the Chiropractor

Contributed By Sandy | Published: Feb 7, 2005

Chiropractor is usually amongst the last resort medicine man to be visited when all other forms of treatment have failed. The first time visitors are surprised to find the treatment to be far less painful when compared to all that they have already gone through. This is when they realize that a chiropractor addresses the body as a whole and not the spinal cord alone.

The first visit to a chiropractor takes longer because he/she will want to know all about any medical conditions you have so as to know what form of treatment would be best for you. There will be forms to fill out. The chiropractor will review these sheets before you enter the office and he/she may have some further questions to ask you about information you provided.For the immediate problem you are having the doctor will ask you specific questions such as:

When did the pain start?

Where is the pain located?

Are there any activities that make the pain worse or better?

Is it the result of an injury?

Etc.

After these preliminary questions, the doctor would examine you initially in a fashion quite similar to a regular physician. This commences with blood pressure, pulse and temperature readings, and develops to include neurological and orthopedic examinations of the spine and neck. He may further examine the part of the body where you have pain. The examinations include testing the range of motion of the affected part, assessing the muscle tone and strength. Akin to a regular examination, this too may require additional chiropractic tests so as to zero in on the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Finally having understood you illness the doctor will analyze and see whether you can benefit from chiropractic treatment. If he feels that you can then he will pace out your treatment over a period of time requiring you to visit maybe 2 or 3 times per week or more. This frequency of visits would depend on your condition. If you have more trouble then you may be requiring more treatment to stabilize your condition and ensure a degree of normalcy in your daily routine which is the primary intent. Don~t worry, the doctor will give you complete information about your condition and the line of treatment that he plans to follow.

Having explained the treatment, the chiropractor will proceed with the first sitting. The treatment given is normally an 'adjustment' or manipulation of the vertebrae that may either have abnormal movements or no movement at all. This adjustment is undertaken with hands and sometimes with the help of a small device to apply pressure to any areas of the spine that are out of alignment. Usually, this is a painless process to an extent that it may just cause a little discomfort for a few seconds.

If you have had X-rays you should bring them with you, so the doctor will have a clear picture of your problem. If not,the chiropractor may want the ER to take an X-ray or have an MRI in order to provide you with the best chiropractic care.

Most, but not all insurance covers chiropractic care. You can call and get your chiropractic coverage before you go in. Or most chiropractic offices will call and find out your coverage for you.

Those who visit the chiropractor for the first time get so much relief that they become their first choice for treatment.

Dr. Greg Molis has been a Salt Lake Chiropractor for 24 years. If you're in the Salt Lake area, come on in. Your 1st adjustment is free. For questions or comments, please visit http://www.saltlakechiropractor.com

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