Visiting a chiropractor is a must when you’re seeking relief from anything between chronic joint pain and a recent injury. But when it’s your first time visiting a provider for chiropractic care, it can be a little intimidating. What should you even expect the moment you step into a chiropractor’s clinic?
From your very first visit, LifeClinic providers hold your hand and guide you through the process of understanding your case and creating a unique treatment plan. But what exactly happens on your first session with a chiropractor? Keep reading to learn how a first-time session with us goes, from filling out paperwork to fleshing out your treatment schedule.
What Happens the First Time You Come Into LifeClinic?
When you come in for chiropractic care for the first time, you will be greeted by our friendly providers who will give you some forms to fill out. This initial paperwork includes your personal information and medical history, which will be our guide to understanding your case.
Once you’ve completed our forms, you will begin a one-on-one session with one of our providers. Here’s what happens during that visit.
You tell us about your unique case
Our providers will ask more questions about your state to get a firm grasp of your condition. They’ll ask about any pain you feel, where you feel it, and the severity of the discomfort. They may ask you to describe what type of pain it is, from a dull pain to a sharp stabbing in your body with certain movements.
You will also be asked about your medical history, such as pre-existing conditions or injuries you’ve sustained in the past. This gives our providers the full picture of what may be causing the pain you feel now. It also guides the team when crafting a treatment plan that is right for you.
Remember to be as open and honest as possible when communicating your condition and medical history with your chiropractor. The better and more detailed you can describe how you feel, the more pointed the treatment plan they can tailor for you.
We conduct a comprehensive physical examination
After hearing your story, our providers then assess your condition with a series of tests in a comprehensive physical examination. These tests may include sensory, reflexes, muscle strength, and range of motion tests to see where you’re at with your pain. From this examination, our providers will look for significant patterns and pain points that are worth noting.
And while the word “examination” sounds scary, you actually don’t have to do a lot of work. Most of the time, these examinations only require you to lie face down on a comfortable, cushioned chiropractic table. From there, our provider will apply pressure to your muscles and joints to see where you need the most work. While this isn’t yet part of your treatment plan, you’ll feel a lot of relief from the tension and pain in your muscles and joints already.
We flesh out the findings and treatment plan on your next visit
On your second visit to LifeClinic, we breakdown the findings from your comprehensive exam. We recap what we found and which joints need the most work, essentially giving you a “diagnosis.” Our providers will give their expert opinion on what may be causing your pain as well, whether it’s bad habits harming your neck or a more serious chronic condition.
We’ll then share with you the treatment plan we think is best to improve your overall mobility and range of motion. We’ll also tell you whether you need to make any lifestyle changes to improve your muscle and joint health moving forward. After laying out the plans, you can have your first chiropractic adjustment that day.
But you may be asking—what is a chiropractic adjustment? An adjustment refers to the way a provider applies force and pressure to your joints to provide more mobility, relieve tension and decrease pain. Basically, it’s your main chiropractic treatment.
At LifeClinic, we use a plethora of chiropractic adjustment methods to improve your pain and discomfort. These include alignments for the spine and back if you have posture problems or to recover from injuries and bring synergy back to your joints and tissues.
We schedule your succeeding appointments
Finally, after your chiropractic procedure, we schedule your follow-up appointments according to your unique treatment plan. That way, you’ll be set to come back in a few days or weeks for another adjustment. And that’s it—you’re done with your first two visits at LifeClinic!
Tips to Best Prepare for Your First Chiropractic Adjustment
Make sure your first chiropractic treatment session goes smoothly by taking these extra steps before you come into LifeClinic:
- Know your medical history. Backtrack your pre-existing conditions and prior injuries to ensure you give our providers all the information they need to craft the best treatment plan for you.
- Dress comfortably. Avoid tight, uncomfortable clothes with unnecessary frills, as this can interfere with your chiropractic adjustment. Instead, come in wearing loose, stretchy, comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement.
- Avoid having a heavy meal prior to your appointment. Getting a chiropractic procedure done with a full stomach can be uncomfortable and even cause indigestion.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drinking plenty of water lubricates your joints, allowing your providers to apply the needed pressure more easily. Your body will respond much better to treatment when it’s properly hydrated.
Get the Care You Need and Book Your First Session Today!
Don’t be afraid of visiting a chiropractor for the first time. It may be daunting and intimidating at first, but as long as you know what to expect and prepare well for the session, everything will be smooth sailing. At LifeClinic, you’re in good hands with our well-trained and friendly providers ready to help you overcome chronic pain and get your life back.
Ready to improve your mobility and enhance your quality of life and overall health? Book an appointment in any of our clinics and have one of our providers assess your condition and craft a treatment schedule for you.
