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chi·ro·prac·tic
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What Happens at the Chiropractor?While visiting a chiropractor is similar to visiting other healthcare providers, it does have some unique elements. You will likely find the office setting and intake procedures quite familiar, but many notice the distinctive appearance of the chiropractic treatment table. These tables are often quite elaborate to allow specific positioning and movement during spinal adjustments and thus assist the chiropractic treatment.
A typical visit to a chiropractor includes an initial intake, physical exam, treatment, and follow-up plan. |
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What Happens During the Intake?An initial chiropractic consultation is very similar to that of a standard medical intake. You will likely complete a health questionnaire and answer questions about your health history. Typically the chiropractor asks you to indicate where you are experiencing discomfort by marking the areas on a drawing of the human body.
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What Happens During the Physical Exam?
The chiropractor will start with a routine physical exam, then follow it with an exam that focuses on the spine, with particular attention given to the areas of complaint. The chiropractor will most likely examine your whole spine. For example, if you had a low back complaint, the chiropractor would also likely perform a neck exam because the adaptations resulting from injury or subluxation in one area can result in secondary irritations somewhere else in the spine.
Most often, a chiropractor will take X-rays of your spine prior to treatment. The purpose of the X-rays is to study the condition of the bony anatomy and soft tissues. It also helps the chiropractor understand the extent of wear, any anomalies in your spine, and other factors that will guide the development of the treatment plan. The physical exam typically includes a variety of assessments, such as range of motion tests, palpation, reflex testing, muscle strength comparisons, and neurological and orthopedic tests focused on the main complaint. |
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