What to Expect with Chiropractic Treatment

If you’re considering going to a chiropractor but have never been to one before, it can be helpful to understand the sequencing you will be experiencing. Like any visit to a medical professional, there is a general workflow to be followed that helps the chiropractor best fit your needs and treatment recommendations. Today, we will dive into each aspect of treatment so that you know what to expect along the way.

The Screen

This first step isn’t always necessary, but some patients and chiropractors prefer it. A screen simply involves a discussion, either over the phone or sometimes even in person. There is no physical assessment taking place at this point. Rather, you can ask your chiropractor about their certifications, specialities, and beliefs surrounding care for your specific health issues. Overall, this can help you decide if a specific chiropractor or clinic will fit your preferences and learning styles or whether you should consider looking elsewhere.

The Initial Consultation

When you’re ready to see a local chiropractor, the first true step is scheduling an initial assessment or consultation. This will typically be the longest visit you have with your chiropractor (30 to 45 minutes) because they will want to get some in-depth information. In general, they will gather the following information:

• An in-depth medical history regarding your general health and current symptoms (such as the quality of pain, when you experience it, how it’s affecting your quality of life, etc)
• Physical assessment of your body to assess the cause of your symptoms, including muscles strength, alignment, joint mobility, palpation, range of motion, biomechanical movements, and overall coordination
• General health metrics such as blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc.
• Any necessary screens or diagnostic tests (such as x-ray) to rule out more serious health issues
• Once all the appropriate information has been gathered, your chiropractor can explain their findings and discuss a treatment plan that will address all your underlying dysfunctions.

Going in For Regular Follow Up

Your chiropractor will recommend a specific number of visits per week (or month) to get the best possible results and reach your health goals properly. Typically, this will involve seeing your chiropractor more often initially to get you on track with healing and symptoms management- usually ranging from 1 to 3 times per week for 10 to 20 minutes. Regular visits will help ensure treatment is working and that your body is aligning appropriately. From there, your frequency of visits will most likely gradually reduce as your symptoms improve and you enter a phase where you want to maintain your results for the long term.

Finding a Provider

Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to find your provider. All you need to do is conduct an online search or ask around for some recommendations. Peruse different websites to assess which chiropractic clinic seems to fit your needs best and then give them a call. If possible, consider finding a chiropractor certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP). They are elite experts trained in science-based treatment protocols meant to optimize your results for both the short and long term. Find a chiropractor you trust and get the process to better health started!