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What To Expect
When you meet your chiropractor for the first time, he/she will
start with a discussion about you, your health and your reasons
for asking for chiropractic help.
You will be asked for a great deal of information, not just about
the pain or complaint that you may have, but also about your past
health history. Some of the questions may appear irrelevant,
but they are extremely important to your chiropractor. To
ensure that chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition
he/she will establish an overall health picture. If
chiropractic appears not to be suitable for you, you will be
referred to your GP or relevant specialist.
Your details are confidential. No one else will be allowed
to see your notes without your permission.
Examination
Once your case history is complete, your chiropractor will examine
you to confirm any early ideas about your problem. The
examination will concentrate on your neuro-musculoskeletal system
(nerves, muscles and joints), but it may also be necessary to
check other things such as your heart, lungs and abdomen to rule
out other causes; this thorough check up is normal procedure in a
chiropractor’s clinic. However, it is not usual for a
chiropractor to examine intimate areas; you will normally be
referred to your GP if your chiropractor feels you would benefit
from this.
After the initial consultation and examination, your chiropractor
may offer you treatment almost immediately. However, it may
be delayed for a day or two if he/she needs to take or view
X-rays, perform urine tests or obtain further information from
your GP (for example blood test results) and where appropriate,
refer you for an MRI/CT scan.
Report
Of
Findings
Before treatment starts, your chiropractor will tell you, in
clear, simple language, what is wrong with you; what can be done
about it and what you should expect when you receive your first
adjustment. You will probably be told about any exercises or
changes to your lifestyle or diet that may be beneficial, so that
you can help yourself. A part of getting better is up to
you, so please follow any instructions and advice carefully and
completely.
You will also be advised of all costs that relate to your future
care. It would be appropriate, at this point, for your
chiropractor to tell you of any likelihood of a recurrence of your
problem, and the possible need for any ongoing supportive care.
This is not an unusual situation for patients who have had serious
injuries, as well as those who have long-term problems due to wear
and tear of the joints.
Treatment
Chiropractic treatment mainly involves safe, mostly gentle,
specific adjustments, done by hand, to free the joints in your
spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly.
Most often, this requires a short sharp thrust to a joint that can
result in an audible ‘crack’ and may bring relief of symptoms as
well as an increased feeling of well-being. The ‘crack’ is
simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the
joint as the pressure is released.
There is, however,
no instant cure, and some patients may experience temporary
symptoms such as pain or soreness around the areas being treated.
Spinal disc problems may appear to flare up in the early stages of
treatment, and where there is already inflammation, your condition
may seem worse to start with. Treatment to the neck may give
a distinct light-headedness and occasionally a short-lived
headache. Apart from the adjustment, your chiropractor may use a
wide variety of techniques, including ice, heat, ultrasound and
exercise. If you have questions about any of these, just
ask.
Will treatment hurt?
Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt – although
there may be some minor short-term discomfort, which quickly
passes for most patients. You will normally find that
follow-up treatments are much more pleasant, as your symptoms
improve and you feel more at ease with your chiropractor.
Are there any risks?
Chiropractic has fewer risks than many other treatments for your
problem. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon.
Very rarely, manipulation of the neck has been linked with
strokes, although research shows that chiropractic is one of the
safest and most effective forms of the treatment available.
Your chiropractor will, of course, be happy to discuss all your
concerns regarding treatment.
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