What To Expect Before, During And After Your First Chiropractic Adjustment 

Before 

During your initial consultation you will want to tell the Chiropractor about any injuries you may have and how they occurred. You will also want to discuss any past medical procedures and your current health condition.

You will be given a thorough examination to diagnose the specific cause of your pain.

In order to determine any areas of restricted movement our Medical Doctors and Chiropractors will look at how you walk as well as your overall posture and spinal alignment. Doing this will help them understand your body's mechanics. In addition to the physical exam, you may also have an x-ray, or an MRI to help diagnose the exact cause of your pain. 

 

How Should I Prepare Before Seeing the Chiropractor?

• Wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement. This includes avoiding layers, skirts and/or dresses, and jewelry. 
• Make sure that you stay hydrated. 
• Relax. The less tense you are at your appointment, the better your results will be. Try taking deep breaths to help calm your muscles.
• Prepare any questions that you may have for your Chiropractor. Our doctors enjoy patients that get involved with their treatment.

During 

During your first adjustment, the chiropractor will place you in a specific position in order to treat the affected areas. You are often positioned lying face down on a specially designed chiropractic table to assist with the adjustment.

The chiropractor uses his or her hands to apply a controlled force to a joint by pushing it beyond it's usual range of motion. You may hear a cracking or popping sound while your chiropractor moves your joints during treatment, this just the release of gas from the joint and is nothing to be concerned about.

After 

Many patients will feel some effect of the chiropractic adjustment immediately, since it may be the first time in years that normal nerve energy is able to reach certain areas of the body. Some people say they feel more relaxed, limber or energetic directly following the adjustment. For some people, they report feeling relief from their symptoms such as a headache. 

Although many of the immediate changes feel great, there are some that may feel minor discomfort. Some people report slight soreness in the area that was adjusted. This is actually not uncommon, the muscles around the area have been trained to pull in a certain direction and now they have been pulled into a different direction. Some soreness is expected and is usually quite mild and temporary. Consult your doctor for further care on how to approach home care post adjustment. 

There are some patients who report feeling no change at all directly following a chiropractic adjustment. However, they realize that changes are occurring within the body even though there is no outward sign. Restoring the normal flow of energy within all parts of the body has significant effects on overall neuromuscular performance. 

Arrowhead Clinics has treated patients who have suffered a wide range of injuries for the past 40 years. Our Chiropractors and Medical Doctors have a caring attitude toward all of their patients and can help answer any further questions you may have. We look forward to caring for you and your family!