First Visit
Oct 18, 2005
Author:

Your First Visit to the Chiropractor

Most people do not visit a chiropractor as their first form
of treatment. This usually happens when other methods have
failed. Many believe that chiropractic treatment is painful
but are surprised to find it less painful then other
treatments they have had. A chiropractor is not only
concerned with your spinal cord but with the health of your
whole body.

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:

What was the string point of the pain?

Where exactly is the pain located?

What induces and what reduces the pain?

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.

Once the problem is understood, the chiropractor will
determine ifThe condition will respond to chiropractic care.
He/She will explain the condition from which you are
suffering and the chiropractic treatment plan that will be
used as well as how long these treatments may take. The
frequency of visits varies you may only need one treatment
or your condition may require regular treatment such as
2 or 3 times per week over a period of weeks or even
months. The seriousness of your condition or the amount of
pain you are in determines this frequency of chiropractic
care. The intent is to lessen the pain so that you can
perform your normal daily routine and to stabilize your
problem.

After this has been done, the chiropractor will proceed to
do the first treatment. Depending on the nature of your
problem, you will probably need what is called an
adjustment. This refers to specific manipulation of
vertebrae that have abnormal movements or fail to move at
all. He/She may use the hands to do this manipulation or a
small device to apply pressure to any areas of the spine
that are out of alignment. Under normal circumstances,
there is little or no pain associated with an adjustment.
It may hurt or cause minor discomfort for a few seconds.

An X-ray assists the doctor in his analysis and in case you
already have x-rays then it is a good idea to take them
with you. Alternately, the chiropractor may want to take
an X-ray or have an MRI to establish the ailment correctly
and decide on the treatment.

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 C. Molis is a
Salt Lake
Chiropractor. You don't have to accept the pain any
longer. Your first adjustment is free. For more information
go to http://www.saltlakechiropractor.com