What To Expect During Your First Chiropractic Adjustment

If you have back or neck pain as the result of a car accident or because of a slipped disc or other spinal issues, you may be considering chiropractic treatment as a way to find relief. However, if you have never visited this type of practitioner before, you may wonder what to expect. Learning about the adjustment process beforehand may help you feel more relaxed about moving forward with the treatment.

The Initial Consultation 

When you first visit a chiropractor, you may be asked to offer a medical history that includes a variety of information, such as:

  • Any chronic ailments you suffer from 
  • The nature of your spinal pain 
  • What might be causing your pain 
  • Your immediate family’s medical ailment history 

The more information you can provide your chiropractor, the better he or she can understand the nature of your problem and how to help.

Speaking To the Chiropractor 

Once you have the chance to speak directly to the chiropractor, he or she may ask you to expand on your written medical history. For example, the practitioner may ask if your pain stems from an accident and may ask you what kind of treatment, if any, you received at the time. You may also be asked to describe the nature of your pain, when it occurs and how it affects your daily life.

The Adjustment 

A chiropractic assistant may check your vitals before the adjustment and initial exam begin. The chiropractor may check for several issues throughout your exam including your head and neck’s range of motion, whether there is any muscle atrophy and whether there might be any neurological damage present.

The Length of the Adjustment 

While the length of a chiropractic adjustment can vary from case to case, most visits usually take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. During the course of the treatment, the chiropractor may ask you more questions about whether any of the movements or adjustments are causing or relieving pain. The initial consultation may take a bit longer while the chiropractor becomes familiar with your ailment and creates a long-term treatment plan.

Future Adjustments 

Once your first adjustment is complete, your chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Baltimore, MD, will probably discuss future treatment options for you and may even prescribe a regular course of adjustments over the following months to ease your neck or back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments can offer relief from spinal pain and discomfort, no matter its cause, and knowing what to expect during the course of your first visit can offer you peace of mind.

Thank you to the clinicians and experts at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care.