What To Expect
First Visit
The main goal of your first visit is to have an examination and reach a diagnosis. You will be required to fill out a new patient form prior to your appointment. During your initial consultation you will be asked about problems you have been encountering and about the nature of your pain. The examination will include: a posture analysis, range of motion testing, orthopaedic, neurologic and chiropractic tests. Depending on your presentation you may be required to have a digital x-ray taken in the clinic. If chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition, your chiropractor may give you your first adjustment right away. You can be confident that, before this happens, we’ll talk to you about your proposed care, the available alternatives and any potential risks associated with our recommendations. The more you understand about the chiropractic process, the better the results are likely to be. We’ll also talk to you about our recommendations for your follow-up appointment and future care.
Second Visit
Your chiropractor will develop a personalised treatment plan and discuss your x-rays with you. The plan will include how many treatments you will need and what other procedures might occur. Depending on what is causing your pain and the severity of the issue the length of time taken to heal will vary from person to person.
How Will I Feel After My Session?
People respond in a variety of ways and they are all normal. The most common ones are:
Immediate pain relief
Feeling like you have been ‘worked on’ for the first 24-48 hours before improving
Pain may shift around or feel different
No change for the first few visits then an improvement
Many people find they are able to stand with better posture. You may be given stretches or exercises to help aid in your recovery. Over several sessions you will notice further improvements.
What If I Feel Sore?
Any adverse effects are typically minor and brief in length. The likelihood of initial soreness or increased pain after a chiropractic adjustment has been found to be similar to that of starting an exercise program. There are several ways you can speed up the healing process after a chiropractic treatment. Self-care plans will help you restore your body to good health and help you experience the results of the treatment more quickly.
To promote healing after an adjustment, your chiropractor may instruct you to:
Use an ice pack on the treated area (for any swelling or redness)
Try light stretching exercises
Sleep on a suitable mattress
Avoid heavy lifting
Refrain from intense physical exercise for at least 3-5 days
Eat a balanced diet
Drink plenty of water
Scheduling A Follow-up Session
Patients sometimes make the mistake of receiving treatment once and then fail to follow up with their chiropractor for the recommended treatments afterward. For optimal results, you should complete the treatment plan that you discussed with your chiropractor, it is like taking a course of medicine - it is more effective if you take the full course.
