Whether you’ve seen a chiropractor in Charlotte, NC before or you’re making your first trip to a chiropractic clinic, you likely have expectations of how your appointment will go. Here are five things you should always expect from a chiropractic visit.
1. Consultation/Review
Aside from the presence of a chiropractic treatment table, which is something you won’t see in a general practitioner’s office, a visit to a chiropractor is a lot like a visit to any other kind of doctor. If you’re visiting a chiropractor for the first time, you’ll go through an initial chiropractic consultation. In addition to completing a health questionnaire, you’ll be asked questions about your medical history and your reasons for visiting. For repeat patients, the consultation is more of a review of past visits and a summary of progress made.
2. Physical Exam
The chiropractor will conduct a physical exam consisting of two general parts. Part one consists of different evaluations including reflex testing, muscle strength comparisons, orthopedic and neurological exams, palpation, and range-of-motion tests. These tests are tailored to address your core complaint(s). Part two is an exam focused on the spine. After examining the entire spine, the chiropractor will hone in on the specific areas relevant to your pain. For example, if you have pain in your lower back, the chiropractor will also spend time examining your neck, since injury or subluxation in one area of the spine can contribute to similar problems in another part of the body.
3. Treatment
Every treatment plan and corresponding chiropractic adjustment is focused on your personal goals. For first-time visitors, a treatment plan is designed based around these goals as well as the level of your injury/pain, your spine’s condition (taking into account any previous injuries and your age), and your overall health. The most common treatment plans are ones that involve consistent chiropractic care for the improvement of overall health and well-being, or targeted towards the quick alleviation of pain and discomfort. Existing patients with an established treatment plan will see this plan enacted during each visit to the chiropractic clinic.
4. Follow-up Plan
The overall goal of every treatment plan is the elimination of pain and the return to normal function of the body parts being treated. The chiropractic adjustments made during a single treatment will likely be included in a follow-up plan that you and the chiropractor will discuss together. Often times there are several treatments conducted over a number of weeks, with each one differing based on your response to past treatments. For example, at some point you and the chiropractor may decide to modify the follow-up plan to include other treatment options such as heat/ice application or electrical stimulation.
5. A Welcoming Environment
Active Life Chiropractic takes great pride in its friendly staff and comfortable office. Whether it’s your first visit to our Charlotte, NC chiropractic clinic or your tenth, our entire team treats you like part of the family, welcoming you in and immediately focusing on your health. Contact us today if you have questions about our approach and what to expect during your visit, or if you would just like to make an appointment.