I’ve Never Been to a Chiropractor… What should I expect on the first visit?
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More often than not, I find that someone who has never been to a chiropractor is a little nervous or even apprehensive. The goal of this week’s post is to help put those nerves (no pun intended, ok maybe a little) at ease as best as possible!
First off, something unique about chiropractic that can be a blessing or a curse, is that every chiropractor is different! We each have a slightly different approach, technique, and touch. This can be frustrating for someone who has been very happy with their chiropractic care, but needs to switch providers due to a move or retirement. But it can also be great news, because if you’re not completely happy with the care you’re receiving, chances are pretty great that there is a chiropractor out there who you will like! With all of that being said, don’t let one experience paint the picture for the whole profession.
At Renew & Restore Wellness, we perform an exam on every new patient. We do this for a number of reasons… one, if you are experiencing pain or symptoms, an exam is going to allow us to determine what the root cause is of your issue rather than simply throwing something at you to temporarily cover up the symptom. Two, as with any medical treatment, there are contraindications (reasons not to treat) that would lead us to alter our technique or forgo treatment all together. Three, sometimes, a symptom such as a headache or back pain may not be caused by a musculoskeletal issue and may be something that requires the attention of a medical doctor or other specialist. By providing an exam we are able to provide the most effective care possible.
What does a chiropractic exam entail?
An exam at our office will be symptom-specific but will generally involve an assessment of range of motion, function of the nerve roots exiting the spine by checking sensation and motor strength, orthopedic tests which help to determine root cause, and palpation of the spine. After performing the initial exam we will explain our findings that we believe to be causing the problem as well as provide a thorough explanation of chiropractic, the adjustment and how it works to help you.
Will I be fully clothed?
Yes! While some techniques and practices prefer the patient wear a gown for the exam, at Renew & Restore Wellness, you will remain fully clothed the entire time. Some patients prefer to wear something more comfortable, like workout clothes, but rest assured that we are able to assess and treat regardless of what you’re wearing. We have patients pop in before and after work, as well as during their lunch break all of the time!
Will I get adjusted on the first visit?
After performing the exam, a majority of the time we have a good idea of what is going on and will provide an adjustment that same day. In some rare instances, our exam may lead us to obtain diagnostic imaging or refer out to another provider. In these cases, we would not adjust until this additional information/input has been received.
Will I get X-rays?
If someone has experienced a traumatic injury, such as a serious car accident or fall, and has not had X-rays taken, we will typically refer them to an imaging center for xrays before the first adjustment. Additionally, if we have performed several adjustments and are seeing no change in symptoms, we will refer out for diagnostic imaging such as Xray or MRI. We don’t do X-rays in the office, so we work with imaging centers with radiologists who are also chiropractors which gives us a report with chiropractic insight and allows us to provide extremely specific care!
What happens during an adjustment?
Essentially what an adjustment is, is mobilization of a specific joint in the spine or extremity. As we mentioned above, there are a wide variety of chiropractic techniques that can be used to make an adjustment. Dr. Nikki is primarily a Diversified, manual adjuster. What this means is that she does a majority of her adjusting with her hands to where you feel some sort of popping, stretching or movement. While this is Dr. Nikki’s primary technique, she does use an activator, pelvic blocks, or drop table based on patient needs and preference!
What is the popping noise?
A common misconception is that the popping noise that occurs during a manual adjustment is the bones actually cracking! The noise is simply gas being released from the joint. The most common joints in the body have a capsule surrounding them that contains synovial fluid. This synovial fluid serves as a lubricant as well as contains nutrients and dissolved gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide) for the cells and joint tissue. When a joint is stretched and mobilized, it releases these gases, creating a bubble and popping noise/sensation! [1]
Does it hurt?
More often than not, patients tell us that their first adjustment simply “feels strange” because it’s something they’ve never felt before. In general, getting adjusted is not painful. There can be a split-second of discomfort, but that is immediately followed with some feel-good endorphins. Sometimes after the first adjustment, the surrounding muscles can feel a little achey, like you did a hard workout. This is completely normal and will typically only last for approximately 24 hours or less. Any soreness or achey muscles can be remedied with a heating pad, a hot bath or hot shower.
Will I feel better immediately?
While some patients do feel some pain relief immediately, that is not always the case. Most patients do feel some improvement in their range of motion, feel looser, or even lighter, but we often expect it to take multiple adjustments to see a major improvement in symptoms. Pain is typically the last thing to show up and the first thing to go away, so we don’t base our care on pain alone in order to ensure that we are treating the whole person, not just the symptom!
If you have additional questions about your first visit or would simply like to schedule an initial consultation with no treatment, please don’t hesitate to reach out or make an appointment online! At Renew & Restore Wellness, we love working with chiropractic newbies!
Resources
1) October 26, 2001. What makes the sound when we crack our knuckles? (Retrieved October 19, 2020). https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-the-sound-when/