
When you arrive at your appointment, it’s helpful to bring a list of medical records and any other information that may help the chiropractor tailor a treatment plan. You should also have all your insurance and identification cards.
During the physical exam, a chiropractor will use assessments like reflex testing, muscle strength comparisons, and range of motion tests. You will likely hear popping sounds during an adjustment; these are just gasses released from joint spaces.
Your Chiropractor will Ask Questions
First, the chiropractor will interview you to determine your health history and current pain level. They will want to know where your pain is coming from, when it started, and how much it affects your daily life. It’s important to be honest with your chiropractor and provide all the information they request. They need this information in order to create an effective treatment plan.
You may be asked about your sleeping habits, diet, and exercise, as well. Chiropractors often focus on overall wellness and whole-body health, so they might also ask you about things like your stress levels.
Once your chiropractor has reviewed all of this information, they will begin their physical exam. This will involve reflex testing, tests for muscle strength and range of motion, and a full spinal exam. In addition, they will likely want to take X-rays of your back and neck. X-rays can help identify any issues that are not visible to the naked eye, such as herniated discs or other spinal abnormalities.
Your chiropractor will then go over their findings and recommendations. They will give you their suggested short-term goals as well as long-term objectives for your care. Developing goals is an essential part of creating a successful treatment plan. This is because it allows patients to understand what to expect from chiropractic and how they can support their progress between visits.
Your chiropractor will then explain the type of adjustment they’ll be performing and how it will feel. During your adjustment, you can choose whether to lay face down or sit upright on the table. They will then use their hands or specific tools to manipulate your spine. You may hear a slight popping sound during the adjustment. This is a normal part of the process and does not indicate that something has been done incorrectly.
Your Chiropractor will Perform a Physical Exam
When you visit a chiropractor, they will start by asking questions to gather as much information about the problem as possible. This may include your overall health, medical history (including family history), how the injury or symptoms started, your daily activities and work schedule, exercise, diet, sleep habits, mental stresses and any other relevant information.
Once they have a good idea of what the problem is and what goals you have for treatment, they will begin a physical examination. They will most likely ask you to lay down on a table so they can assess your spine and the surrounding joints, muscles and ligaments. They will be looking for any areas of inflammation or tenderness, pain or difficulty moving in certain positions, and if you can feel any spinal curves being lost or gained.
Chiropractors also use a variety of diagnostic tools during the exam, including thermography and surface electromyography tests to check for muscle and joint flexibility as well as cranial nerve function. You can expect a variety of manual chiropractic manipulations to be performed on your spine, other joints and soft tissues, depending on your symptoms. It is important to note that the chiropractor should not hurt you during the exam. If the chiropractor feels that they can’t manipulate a part of your body because it is too tight or tender, they will simply let you know and suggest other treatments such as massage.
It is normal for chiropractors to examine their patients at 30 day intervals, but third-party payers should look for any variations in documentation that indicate a change of diagnosis or a lack of an exam. It is also important to request any records that demonstrate that a full initial examination was conducted on the date of service in question.
Your Chiropractor will Perform an Adjustment
Depending on your needs and what the physical exam reveals, your chiropractor may recommend chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments involve manually applying a quick, directional pressure into the joints to correct the alignment of the bones in those joints. This is an essential part of the chiropractic approach to health because if your joints are misaligned, it can cause pain in other parts of your body.
When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, you might hear some cracking or popping sounds. These noises are caused by a sudden decrease in joint pressure (also called joint cavitation). This releases the gasses in the synovial fluid that contains carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen. These gases are then released through the joint spaces, creating that popping sound. The chiropractic adjustment process is safe for most people, but you should always inform your chiropractor of any medical conditions or medications that you take before receiving treatment.
A common misconception is that the spinal manipulation performed by chiropractors causes injury. While a chiropractor might cause some minor discomfort or aching in the joints of the spine, this is usually brief and does not last longer than 24 hours. The chiropractor might apply an ice pack to reduce any swelling or pain.
While some chiropractors use a specific technique for each patient, most employ a holistic approach to care that incorporates several different aspects of the body. This includes the muscles, ligaments and tendons that support the joints of the spine and other parts of your body. It also involves the nervous system and the fluid that lubricates your spine and other body tissues.
The chiropractor will examine each of these systems to see how they interact with one another and how their function is affected by spinal misalignments. The chiropractor may use a combination of manual palpation and imaging-based location techniques to locate the areas that need to be adjusted.
Your Chiropractor will Give You a Massage
You may have heard that chiropractic massage is painful, and while some techniques can cause brief discomfort, a skilled chiropractor will always prioritize your comfort. They will adjust their techniques based on your feedback and tolerance levels, especially if they’re well-trained like the Fremont chiropractors.
In addition to adjustments, chiropractors can also provide massage therapy as part of your treatment plan. This is because it helps to ease muscle tension that can hinder spinal adjustments. Many people report dramatic pain relief after just a single massage session. Others incorporate regular massage as a component of their pain management when there isn’t a cure for the underlying issue.
Before performing an adjustment, your chiropractor will sit down with you and discuss the root of your pain. They will ask you where your pain is located and how long it has been present. They will then use their knowledge of the body to locate the area that is misaligned or stuck and perform a manual manipulation to restore movement and position. This process often involves some popping or cracking sounds, which is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Your chiropractor may also recommend a massage before your adjustment to help ease any anxiety you have about the procedure. Often times, when the spine is misaligned, the surrounding muscles will tighten up as a protective response. This can make it difficult to get the proper adjustment, and can also lead to more tension if the spinal column remains in an improper state for extended periods of time.
Massage can help to release these tight muscles and tissues, allowing the chiropractor to adjust the spine more easily and without any resistance from the surrounding structures. Massage can also make the adjustment less intense for patients who are sore or hypersensitive in certain areas.
Your Chiropractor will Refer You to Other Health Care Professionals
While chiropractors are able to address most pain issues, they may refer you for physical therapy or to your primary care physician (PCP). They might also recommend nutritional consultations or acupuncture. These referrals can help your body heal faster and lead to better long-term results.
Chiropractors understand the importance of building trusting relationships with their patients. They’ll often invite them to sit down and discuss their experiences. By listening to their clients’ stories, chiropractors can create a treatment plan that best meets their needs and goals. This also enables their practitioners to build stronger partnerships and networks that ultimately benefit everyone involved.
During the intake process, chiropractors will ask questions about your medical history to get a clear picture of your health and current condition. They will want to know when your pain started, where it’s located, and if it gets worse with specific movements or activities. They’ll also ask you about your lifestyle and dietary habits.
Once they have all the relevant information, they’ll perform a physical exam. This might include reflex testing, muscle strength comparisons, range of motion tests, and neurological and orthopedic assessments. In some cases, they’ll order X-rays or other diagnostic tests as part of the assessment.
After their physical exam, chiropractors will go over their findings and lay out their recommendations. They’ll likely talk about which treatment modalities they would recommend, including manual manipulations, activator-led manipulations, spinal traction, stretching, and other techniques. They’ll also discuss the frequency of visits and how you can support your recovery at home. They might even mention prescription muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatories if necessary.