What to Expect
Your first chiropractic visit will determine your overall health, and current condition of your spine. These comprehensive findings will establish a specific plan of care.
STEP 1: CONSULTATION
The first step of the process is to determine if and how we can help with your condition. Questions may include:
- What is your current level of health?
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- When did the symptoms start and how long have they persisted?
A comprehensive health history can account for up to 85 percent of the diagnosis and treatment recommendations. It is important to link all lifestyle factors to the possible cause of your condition.
STEP 2: EXAMINATION
Once the problem area has been determined, your chiropractor will physically check the position of your spine and observe your ranges of motion.
While doing this, you will be asked a few more questions to narrow down possible causes of physical stress on your spine. For example:
- Do you work at a computer or sit for long periods of time?
- Is there a position that makes it better? Worse?
- How are you currently treating your condition?
The goal of this process is to connect your current health condition with the area of your spine that can cause the symptoms to appear.
STEP 3: POSTURE AND X-RAY EVALUATIONS
The two primary methods for evaluating proper position of the spine are posture and x-ray.
Posture—the window to your spine—examines the spine from an external point of view. Your chiropractor will check your posture from front and back, as well as from each side. This visual assessment gives your chiropractor an idea of the position of your spine and what to expect on your x-rays.
X-rays are the most accurate method for measuring the condition of the spine. Your chiropractor may use them to evaluate possible spinal curvature and compare to normal values.
Your chiropractor will evaluate the information gathered from your consultation, nerve scan, physical examination and x-rays to develop a specific, whole-body plan of care.