Your First Chiropractic Appointment: What Should You Anticipate?

Chiropractic care, particularly upper cervical chiropractic, has become increasingly popular as a holistic, non-invasive approach to treating various ailments, from chronic pain to neurological conditions. If you've scheduled your first chiropractic appointment, you may be wondering what to expect. This article will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of what a typical initial visit to an upper cervical chiropractor might entail.

Initial Paperwork and History

Upon arriving at the chiropractic office, you'll typically be asked to complete some paperwork that includes your medical history, details of any symptoms you're experiencing, lifestyle factors, and insurance information. It's important to be thorough and honest while completing these forms as they will guide the chiropractor during your examination and treatment.

Consultation and Discussion

Your first chiropractic visit will usually include a consultation with the chiropractor. During this discussion, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your health-related concerns and potential treatment options. Your chiropractor will be particularly interested in any issues concerning your neck and upper spine, given the focus on the upper cervical region.

Physical Examination

After the consultation, your chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination. This examination typically includes various assessments such as postural analysis, reflex tests, and specific orthopedic tests. In upper cervical chiropractic, there will be a particular focus on the neck and upper spine, although a comprehensive review of your overall spinal health will be conducted.

Diagnostic Imaging

If necessary, your chiropractor might recommend diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or MRI scans. For upper cervical chiropractic care, specialized imaging techniques may be used to view the upper cervical spine in detail. These images assist in identifying misalignments, abnormalities, or other issues in the neck and upper spine region that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Report of Findings

Once the examinations and diagnostics are complete, your chiropractor will provide a report of findings. This report includes an explanation of the identified issues, proposed treatment plan, and the goals of your care. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions about your condition or treatment plan.

Adjustment

If an upper cervical misalignment is detected, your chiropractor may proceed with a gentle, precise adjustment to your upper cervical spine. This adjustment aims to restore balance to your body and encourage its natural healing capabilities.

Follow-Up Appointments

A follow-up appointment is often scheduled for a few days or a week after the initial visit to assess your response to the adjustment. Over time, these appointments will become less frequent as your condition improves.

Your first chiropractic appointment is an opportunity for your chiropractor to understand your health concerns thoroughly and devise an appropriate treatment plan. Upper cervical chiropractic, with its specific focus on the neck and upper spine, offers a unique approach to enhancing your overall health and wellness. By understanding what to expect, you can come prepared and make the most of your first chiropractic experience.

We Are Here To Help

At Blair Chiropractic Clinic, our primary focus is to uncover and address the root cause of conditions by using the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This method utilizes advanced diagnostic tools enabling Dr. Gordon Elder to adjust any misaligned upper cervical vertebrae to their original position. As a result, conditions are alleviated and the body's natural healing process is stimulated.

Our proficient Blair chiropractor, Dr. Gordon Elder, employs a dual-phase process for treating numerous conditions. In the first phase during your initial visit, he conducts a detailed evaluation of your spinal health to determine if you have a vertebral misalignment in your upper cervical spine. This approximately 25-30 minute evaluation equips Dr. Elder with the critical information needed to formulate your treatment plan.

If a misalignment is identified, Dr. Elder transitions to the second phase of your treatment. He employs a variety of 3-D imaging techniques to pinpoint the precise location of the misalignment within your upper cervical spine. You'll have the opportunity to review these findings and pose any questions to Dr. Elder.

Subsequently, Dr. Elder performs a series of gentle, low-impact adjustments on the key areas of concern. The aim of this step is to restore the natural alignment of the upper cervical spine, thus alleviating the condition and activating the body's inherent healing processes.

Following the initial adjustment, patients schedule routine, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure the alignment has been maintained over the subsequent 3 months. Typically, most patients schedule between 10 to 15 appointments with Dr. Elder over a span of 3-5 months.

If there is a condition that is causing you discomfort, remember that help is available. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Blair Chiropractic Clinic offers services to residents of Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.