Going to a chiropractic appointment without knowing what to expect can be a nerve-wracking experience. Understanding what chiropractic medicine is, what a chiropractor does, and how a chiropractic appointment can help you treat and prevent aches, pains, and injuries are the best way to determine if chiropractic care is right for you.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic medicine focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous system. A chiropractor can treat symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. This is done through a hands-on, holistic approach that includes spinal manipulation and rehabilitative exercises.
What Happens First at a Chiropractic Appointment?
An initial chiropractic appointment will begin with diagnostic testing that may include x-rays, a physical exam, and analysis of the performance of various exercises or movements. You will also fill out paperwork detailing your medical history, including previous injuries. All of this information helps the chiropractor determine the most effective course of treatment.
Collaborative Medicine
Your initial exam can tell your doctor if chiropractic medicine is the best option to help you recover from an injury, relieve pain, or improve your general well-being. If a severe medical condition does exist, your chiropractor can collaborate with your regular physician or physical therapist to develop a treatment plan for you.
Traditional Chiropractic Appointment
After your initial exam and for all of your following chiropractic appointments, you will lie on a table that accommodates for a variety of methods of adjustments. Beginning face down, your doctor will perform spinal manipulation, a procedure that helps restore mobility through controlled force. These manual adjustments can be done in any area where joints have become hypomobile due to injury to the tissue.
No-Pop Options
Some patients either prefer or require a non-traditional approach to chiropractic care. These non-force techniques offer relief without the common trademarks of chiropractic medicine, such as the popping of joints.
What Else?
Non-manual therapy may also accompany your regular treatment in a chiropractic appointment. This may be something as simple as ice or heat, or a more complex method of treatment like electric stimulation. Electric stimulation is applied through adhesive patches. The electrodes are applied to specific areas and target muscles to contract. It mimics the natural movement of the muscles and helps to improve range of motion and circulation. It is a non-invasive method of treatment that causes a tingling feeling in the area of application.
Should I See A Chiropractor?
Seeing a chiropractor can be beneficial if you suffer from the following types of problems:
- Stiffness
- Body aches
- Chronic pain
- Joint immobility
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Hip pain
- Sciatica
Not only is it helpful in treating injury, aches, and pains, but it is also beneficial for improving overall health.
Schedule a consultation for a chiropractic appointment with Dr. Funk today and see what chiropractic care can do for you.