If you are going to a chiropractor for the first time, it's good to know what to do beforehand so your body is in the right condition for an appointment. It is estimated that at any given time over 31 million Americans suffer from back pain.
With such a large amount of people dealing with the ramifications of back pain, you want to ensure that you are getting the most out of your chiropractor sessions. In this article, we will take you through everything you need to do to prepare for your first chiropractor visit. Read on to find out more.
Assessing Your Problem Areas and Needs
The first thing that you might do before you visit a chiropractor is to fill in a questionnaire. This will get to the bottom of your requirements and back issues. It takes into consideration your general state of health and statistics and gives your chiropractor a good idea of your health history.
They will be able to identify any anomalies or activities that acerbate your back or neck problems and use this information to put together a comprehensive treatment plan.
It's important to give as much detail as possible when filling out the questionnaire for your chiropractor to have a well-rounded idea of what they are dealing with and how exactly they can help.
The Physical Exam
For your first appointment, you will have to undertake a physical exam so that your chiropractor can have a look at your range of motion, reflexes, and muscle strength. Make sure that you don't overexert yourself or push your body past its usual range of comfortable movement.
The last thing you want to do is injure yourself further through overextension or too rigorous motion. Try to relax and see it as an investigatory exercise and not a chance to push your body to its maximum. You should also try and wear long and comfortable clothing so that your body isn't in any way restricted.
Sweat pants and loose-fitting t-shirts and sweaters are a good choice when it comes to an outfit. Tightly fitted shirts or jeans that feel constricted or put pressure on your body should be avoiding. Making sure that you are properly hydrated and have eaten regular meals in the day is also good practice for your sessions.
After your chiropractor has assessed your range of movement they will be able to identify any problem areas or areas of discomfort in the body. They may also want to take an x-ray of your back and neck which can help them to understand the composition of your back and neck and your bone structure.
It can help to identify any further problems or issues in the bones and see any wear or tear in the spinal cord.
Providing Spinal and Back Relief
When the initial assessments are over, your chiropractor will decide on whether you need a back adjustment or not. If this isn't something you have received before, it can be a little strange at first. However, it will provide immediate relief for your back and neck pain and should feel quite satisfying.
It shouldn't hurt but you might just feel a slight bit of pressure on your back as they correct it. It would take place on a padded table which is specially designed for chiropractor care. You may need to lie down, lie on your side, or sit upright whilst this process is taking place.
Afterward, you should feel a relaxation in your muscles and even an increased range of movement in the affected area as a result. Your chiropractor will then be able to set up a treatment and care plan so that your spinal health continues to improve.
You must maintain any regular practices and exercises at home that they recommend. Your chiropractor sessions should be a factor in your back and neck pain relief, however, you should also keep up your end of the deal too!
Additional Therapies
When it comes to chiropractor care they don't just rely on the treatment given by the hands and massage. Depending on your injury or pain you might be introduced to treatments such as dry needling, ultrasound therapy, and an arthrostim.
The reliance on more modern technologies in tandem with more traditional methods can help with treating the source of the pain faster and more efficiently. Dry needling involves using blunt needles to release pressure from the joints and the muscles.
Whereas ultrasound therapy allows the blood to come to the surface and stimulate the affected areas, reducing the time it takes to recover. An arthrostim is a device that can be used in place of the and to correct body and back posture and produce better alignments of the back. If you would like to learn more about arthrostim, click the link to find out more.
What to Expect at Your First Chiropractor Visit: What Next?
With any medical issues or ailments, it's natural to feel a little nervous if you are going to a place for the first time. However, once you get over that initial hurdle and can diagnose your back or neck problems, this will make it a lot easier in terms of recovery and improving your posture.
Back and neck pain can be a nightmare to try and deal with without invention work. With 2020 and many of us now working from home, good posture has never been more pressing or important.
Invest in your spinal health now and reap the benefits of it later on. Any minor issues that are corrected sooner with a chiropractor visit will be a lot easier to solve than sustained back problems. If you enjoyed this article, check out our previous blog posts!
