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Your First Visit to a Chiropractor

In some ways, your first visit will be similar to seeing many other health practitioners. And in other ways it will be quite different. And while every chiropractor has a slightly different first-visit procedure, here’s what you can generally expect.

A Warm Welcome

Chiropractors practice in multi-service facilities, freestanding clinics, converted home offices and even hospitals. When you arrive you’ll be greeted with a smile. The first thing you’ll notice is the comfortable, relaxed environment.

You’ll start feeling better and you haven’t even met the chiropractor yet!

First the Essentials

Naturally, there will be some brief paperwork. This captures your contact details, your health history and current health concerns. You may encounter questions about your diet, sleep habits and stress levels that may seem unrelated to your symptoms. Relax and breath. Our interest is in you first, and your symptoms second.

Meet the Chiropractor

Soon you’ll be introduced to the chiropractor for your initial consultation. Based on your case history,  she will ask you to elaborate or clarify some of your history. When did your problem begin? What makes it worse? What makes it better? What other approaches have you tried? What do you feel may be going on?

The purpose is to get to know each other better and to determine if you’re a good candidate for chiropractic care. If you are, a thorough examination is next. If you’re not, an appropriate referral will be made.

A Thorough Examination

The examination will often include a series of physical and neurological tests. These are designed to reveal the presence of nerve interference from spinal misalignments. This will include turning and bending, plus testing your reflexes and other noninvasive tests.

Like many chiropractors, we may requisition a series of diagnostic X-rays, we have equipment in-house to perform surface electromyography and thermography to gather needed information to create an accurate picture of how your body is coping and adapting. These are designed to reveal the function of your spine and nervous system.

Many patients tell us that it is among the most complete examination they’ve ever had.

Relating Your Findings

After correlating your exam findings, Dr. du Quesnay will relate the findings and their relevance to you. Sometimes this is done on your first visit. Other times on your second.  The Doctor will explain what was found, what it means and what can be done to help you. Some reports are formal, sit-down presentations. Others are brief. It just depends on your unique case and how much detail you are interested in. You’ll get to see and understand your findings and you’ll also receive a printed copy to take home.

Dr. du Quesnay will convey her recommendations, get your feedback and provide the opportunity for you to ask questions and get clarification. You may be offered exercises, stretches, dietary, postural and sleep suggestions and other home care instructions depending on your situation and your interest in actively taking part in the process.

Chiropractic care is a partnership. Your results will be based on what we do at each visit, and what you do between visits.

Your First Adjustment

Based on your case, you’ll receive your first chiropractic adjustment. In some situations that will occur on your second visit. It just depends on whether the Doctor deems it in your best interest to go ahead or if more must be determined prior to your first adjustment.

Using her hands and a small hand-held instrument, a precise amount of energy will be added to your spine at just the right time and place and in the correct direction. Adjustments are simple, gentle forces that help restore healthier spinal patterns and reduce nerve interference along your spine.

Relax. Adjustments feel great. If they didn’t, chiropractors wouldn’t get patients, especially infants and children, to return for the follow-up adjustments needed to make lasting spinal changes.

Hope and Healing Begin

Set aside about 75-90 minutes for your first visit. Future visits will be much shorter as the groundwork is done and we get to know you and how your body responds to your adjustments.

Be sure to ask questions and get involved. Those who do seem to get better results.

Chiropractic care is different from medical treatment. It’s a difference that has helped millions. For over a century it has focused on healing and recovery. Naturally. Without drugs, surgery or compromising side-effects.

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