There’s no doubt about it: a lot of people are hurting out there, and they are looking for solutions to their ailments. One incredibly effective way to address painful conditions is through chiropractic care.

In this article, we will outline what you should expect during your first chiropractic appointment and demonstrate some of the major benefits of chiropractic care.

Checking In

When you first arrive for your appointment, we’ll need to get some basic information about you. We recommend that you get here a little bit early so that you have plenty of time to fill out the necessary forms, ask any questions you may have, and have a minute to relax before we call you back. 

Our friendly staff will help you with whatever you need during check-in time.

The Evaluation

Depending on your specific needs, the evaluation will likely take up the bulk of the time during your first appointment. 

During your evaluation, the chiropractor will sit down with you, and review your medical history and any other pertinent information. From there, she will perform an examination.

The Examination

The physical examination will help the chiropractor to determine the nature of your pain. She will likely have you stand, walk, and move around to make a determination about your specific deficits and movement aberrations. 

From there, she may order some further imaging tests, such as x-rays, to get a better picture of what’s going on “under the hood”.

After she has gathered all of the essential data, it’s time to move on to the best part of the session: the treatment.

The Treatment

Chiropractors deal primarily with the spine. In fact, one of the most common treatments for which chiropractors are known is the spinal manipulation.

Manipulations of the spine act to push displaced vertebrae back into their own, defined regions. After your manipulation is complete, you will likely feel almost instantaneous relief, which can last for hours, days, or even weeks after the treatment session has ended.

Some patients may be nervous about receiving manipulations due to misinformation and misleading articles floating around the web. However, we’re here to tell you that spinal manipulations are extremely safe and very effective for a variety of conditions. 

Manipulations can be performed on any part of the spine (and even on some peripheral joints). In order to complete this treatment, the chiropractor will typically use her hands or an assistive device. Once you are placed in the proper position, the chiropractor will then lightly and quickly push on your affected vertebra, attempting to move it back into alignment. 

During the manipulation, you may feel (and even hear) a small “popping” sensation in the area of treatment. This is a completely normal occurrence and is nothing to worry about. There is still some debate as to why the joints make this noise during a manipulation, but we know that it is an expected outcome.

Wrapping Up the Session

Once you’ve received your treatment, your chiropractor will then touch base with you, providing you with any necessary information for getting the most out of your treatment while at home. She may provide you with some paperwork, and she will thank you for trusting her with your care.

Now you can go out and enjoy your newfound range of motion and reduced pain!

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Generally, the benefits of chiropractic care include all of the following:

  • Improved range of motion.
  • Decreased pain.
  • Increased blood flow.
  • Better coordination.

Of course, there are many other benefits that you may experience from your chiropractic experience. Ready to find out what chiropractic can do for you? Book your appointment today with At Last Chiropractic, the Lithia, FL chiropractors!