What to expect at your Chiropractic appointment.
26 May 2008What should I expect when getting a chiropractic adjustment?
What is an adjustment? Your chiropractor refers to the process of gently manipulating your spine back to optimum health as an adjustment. Typically you will describe your pain or general state of health and your chiropractic doctor will use their expertise and many years of training to decide where and what type of adjustment you will need. No need to be nervous during this appointment; your doctor will want you to feel both relaxed and calm during the visit. Although you may be asked to remove certain pieces of jewelry, remove hair clips, not chew gum etc. you will remain fully clothed during the whole process. Depending on the extent of you condition your initial visit may be quite lengthy and might even include x-rays, however once in a regular adjustment schedule your appointments typically only take about 15 minutes.
How does it work? After a brief examination your chiropractor will ask and assist you to move in different positions, i.e. seated, lying face down or on your back, or even sideways on an adjustable table so he or she is able to perform the adjustment. The table is similar to a masseuse table but is an apparatus specifically designed for chiropractic offices and, unlike the masseuse table, it has parts that drop and move that help to keep you as comfortable as possible during your appointment. Your chiropractor uses many diagnostic methods and techniques to make sure you are treated to the highest standard of care. Patient care and assesment can involve x-rays, laboratory tests, orthopedic and neurological examinations in addition to observational and tactile assessments. Your doctor will ensure your best treatment with manual therapies and spinal adjustments, exercises you can do at home and educating you, the patient, on further techniques you can use to resolve your problem. Chiropractic doctors believe in conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal system without the use of medicine and surgery.
Is it safe? The World Health Organization states “In some countries, e.g. the United States of America, Canada and some European countries, chiropractic has been legally recognized and formal university degrees have been established. In these countries, the profession is regulated and the prescribed educational qualifications are generally consistent, satisfying the requirements of the respective accrediting agencies. … When employed skilfully and appropriately, chiropractic care is safe and effective for the prevention and management of a number of health problems.”
Will it hurt? Most techniques emphasize using minimal force and gentle pressure, after all your chiropractor is trying to help you heal not trying to cause you more pain or scare you. It is reported that only a few patients feel anything they can describe as a slight discomfort in the process of the adjustment. More often patients will comment that they hear a popping sound with each maneuver, but there really is no need for concern. The popping noises you might hear are just tiny pockets of gas releasing, and when that happens you will hear a pop, which is completely normal. Your adjustment should be completely pain free (even if the little popping sounds make you jump at first). It is important to try to be as relaxed as possible and allow your chiropractor freedom to make the adjustments. Patients who are tense or who stiffen every time the chiropractor attempts the manipulation can resist the adjustment and make it hard for the doctor to work the area they need to; its best to learn to just relax during your appointment as this will give you the best chance at healing. Your doctor will be happy to talk you through a particular adjustment before making it, to ease any anxiety you might have about that movement. Remaining relaxed will pay off as almost all patients, even when they do or don’t hear the little popping noises, find great relief when normal flexibility is returned to the affected vertebrae.
How many treatments will I need? It really depends on the nature of your problem. Long term or chronic problems may need to be adjusted many times before the muscle memory is re-programmed to settle the bone back into its proper alignment. Unfortunately, the muscles connected to subluxated vertebrae get used to their positions and have a tendency to pull the bone back out of place. Having regular adjustments will make the likelihood of your vertebrae staying in place much more likely. However, falling off a bike, cross country ski-ing, or even non-vigorous activities can put a bone out of misalignment at any time. If this happens to you, ice at 20 minutes intervals and try to rest the area as much as possible, make an appointment for an evaluation as soon as you can. The sooner the misalignment is adjusted the faster the area will heal. Always try to remember to stretch and warm up before doing any energetic sport or past time as this will help to keep everything where it should be. Remember a chiropractors goal is one of keeping you in optimum health at all times so feel free to ask for simple exercises you can also do at home in between your appointments.
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Family Chiropractic, Evergreen Colorado. 303.674.1500 or email
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November 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
[...] want to get naked for the exam. Actually your chiropractor does not want that either. During an examination the chiropractor is able to make the adjustments while you are fully clothed. We do recommend you [...]