Your first visit
What happens at your first visit?
After we go over your health history and examine the area of complaint, we better understand what is causing your pain and what we can do about it. If your case cannot be helped by our treatment methods, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Our office has many great professional relationships with surrounding medical specialists who refer to us when needed, and vice versa. Because we have gained the trust of many medical providers, you're in good hands with us, literally.
The chiropractic exam
What does a chiropractic exam include?
A chiropractic examination starts much like a medical examination, but is more thorough in its focus. It includes:
- Range of motion assessment
- A neurologic evaluation
- Orthopedic testing
We dig deeper to find the root cause of your problem, rather than relying on unnecessary, costly diagnostic imaging and lab work.
Treating the root cause
Why treat the cause and not just the symptoms?
For most chiropractic cases and conditions we treat, the pain stems from your spine, muscles, joints or nerves. Because a malfunction of these physical parts causes your symptoms, a physical approach to treatment makes sense.
If your low back pain comes from a pinched nerve and muscle spasms, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants may ease it. But they mask your symptoms rather than get rid of the root cause.
Forms to bring
Which forms should you fill out before your visit?
Save time at your first appointment by downloading and completing these forms:
After the first visit
What happens after the first visit?
Chiropractic is both curative and preventative. It can heal a condition, and it can help you avoid future injuries or conditions. First, we recommend enough treatment to get you better; once you reach that goal, we reassess and discuss the next step.
Your health is your responsibility, and the decision is yours. Our job is to advise you on what can be done to achieve your goals and live healthy and pain free.
Think of dentistry: you treat the toothache first, then floss and see your dentist for checkups to prevent the next one. In the same way, we recommend periodic care within reason. Dr. Ray and his son get adjustments once or twice a month, because both are very physically active.
How much treatment
How much treatment will you need?
Because we treat you as an individual, your treatment plan is tailored to your needs and based on the first visit findings. In general:
- A long-standing chronic problem may require 2 visits per week for a month or more.
- An acute injury may require 3 visits per week at first.
We suggest the most effective and least costly treatment plan to achieve your goals.
