Your First Visit with a Chiropractor: What to Expect

It is estimated that chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually. 3 in 4 patients who received chiropractic care in a 2018 study felt it was effective.  In a comparative-effectiveness trial, 94% of manual-thrust manipulation (chiropractic) recipients experienced a 30% reduction in their pain, compared with only 54% of medical care recipients. Yet if it is your first visit, you might be feeling nervous? It can help to gain a better understanding of what a typical visit looks like. Read on for some information about Your First Visit with a Chiropractor: What to Expect. This will help you feel prepared when you go in for your first chiropractic visit. This will help you feel less nervous.

Choosing a Good Chiropractor

Firstly, you need to pick the right chiropractor for you.  So how do you choose a good one?  It’s important that a chiropractor is willing to give you a personalized treatment. At Meiri Chiropractic we carry out treatments after a thorough history and examination to get a proper diagnosis.  Because an accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure the treatment is focused on what your body needs.

Each chiropractor may have a different approach to their treatment. And they have training from different schools. Some might also treat different health conditions. For instance, many chiropractors are versed in treating sports injuries, whiplash or extremities as well as the spine.  Conversely, some only treat the spine.  Find out what you can ahead of time by reading the chiropractor’s website. Also, call and ask to speak with the doctor. Check on the chiropractor’s qualifications and the treatments they offer. Double check the chiropractor’s qualifications/ licenses online.

At Meiri Chiropractic, we are happy to answer questions and discuss  your condition for free prior to your visit.  After all, Your First Visit with a Chiropractor: What to Expect can make all the difference in your healing. 

Insurance and payment

More and more insurance companies are offering coverage for chiropractic care as research is showing how effective the treatment can be for both preventative and curative medicine. But you need to find out before you make your appointment.   Meiri Chiropractic is always happy to check on your insurance (we accept insurance, medicare and cash). Of course, if your insurance provider does not cover chiropractic care, you can find a chiropractor who accepts cash and offers quality, personalized care for you and is affordable.  Your health is your wealth and you are saving money in the long run with chiropractic care.  Moreover, be aware that when it comes to your health, the cheapest isn’t always the best. 

Make an Appointment

There may be a chiropractic clinic near you that will see walk-in patients. However, making an appointment will ensure you are seen at an exact time. By just walking in, you risk not being seen or waiting along time.  At Meiri Chiropractic, same day treatment is available for emergencies.  And there is very little wait time or no wait time if you make an appointment in advance.

Initial visit

The doctor of chiropractic starts by taking your history, and then performs a physical examination, to include the assessment of spinal and musculoskeletal joint function. The chiropractic examination focuses on evaluation of joint pain or tenderness, asymmetry, changes in range of joint motion, muscle tone and strength, posture and spinal or other joint stability. The chiropractor will also do tests (orthopedic, neurological, physical examination tests) as any other doctor would. Furthermore, imaging such as MRI, CT scan or X-ray may be indicated.

With the combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies, your chiropractor will determine your diagnosis. Finally, the doctor will explain the clinical findings, recommend a treatment plan and review the prognosis (likely outcome) and benefits of all procedures. This last part of your visit is the review of findings.  However, many times the review of findings maybe on your next visit.