What You Need To Know Before Your First Chiropractic Visit

Chiropractic care is a very beneficial form of alternative medicine that can do wonders for the mind and body. From easing tight muscles to rehabilitation from an injury, millions of people seek this treatment on a consistent basis. But when it comes to visiting a chiropractor, especially for the first time, you may not know what to expect. Luckily, we’re here to help!

In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before your first chiropractic visit. After reading through this blog, you should have full confidence as you first step foot inside that chiropractic office.

What Does An Adjustment Do?

If you’ve heard about what happens during a chiropractic visit, then you may be aware of chiropractic adjustments. An adjustment is a procedure conducted by a chiropractor where they use their hands, or a small instrument, to apply force to a spinal joint. It is common for patients to hear a “crack” during these adjustments, and there is usually a sigh of relief shortly afterward. It’s important to note that the force applied is controlled and sudden. An adjustment, also referred to as spinal manipulation, helps to improve range of motion, ease pain, and improve the physical function of your body.

Not sure if an adjustment would be beneficial for you? While chiropractic adjustments are used to treat a wide variety of problems in the body, they are commonly used to treat low back pain, neck issues, and headaches.

What Does An Adjustment Feel Like?

A lot of people are reluctant to seek chiropractic care because they feel like adjustments are painful. However, that is rarely the case at all; if there is pain, it is typically very minor. Chiropractors know exactly what they’re doing during these adjustments, so even if you hear cracks or pops, you certainly shouldn’t feel pain. It is common to experience mild aches and soreness after an adjustment, but some people actually notice pain relief following these appointments.

If you’re about to embark on your first chiropractic visit, you certainly should not be scared of these adjustments. While some aches and soreness might occur, many people believe the adjustments feel great. After all, your tightness and muscle stiffness could be due to spinal issues, and since an adjustment targets a certain area of the spine, it is common to feel relief and less discomfort after the procedure.

What Does Chiropractic Treat?

While you may think that chiropractic care only treats low back issues, the list is actually far more extensive. Take a look at a few conditions commonly treated by a chiropractor:

Neck Pain

Neck issues are a very common condition that can benefit some chiropractic care. When you see a chiropractor for your first chiropractic visit, they will first ask you questions about your level of pain and how long you’ve been having it, then they will typically perform manual adjustments and other services as needed. Additionally, the chiropractor may show you some exercises that can help ease pain or discomfort, and they may also encourage certain stretching techniques to create even better results.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the #1 reason why people visit a chiropractor. Whether caused by slouching, an injury, or a chronic condition, low back pain is something that most of us have experienced at some point in our lives. Chiropractors typically treat this condition with spinal manipulation techniques and manual adjustments.

Headaches

Both tension and migraine headaches are conditions commonly treated by a chiropractor. From stress and bad posture to injuries and spinal problems, headaches can cause many disruptions in your life. Luckily, many people notice less pain and fewer complications after seeing a chiropractor to treat their headaches.

How Safe Is Chiropractic?

Many people choose to pursue chiropractic treatment because they feel it is a safe alternative. And that’s true! When you look at the common treatments for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and more, it typically involves pain pills. Over time, these pills aren’t very healthy for the body and you can even start to be dependent on them. Chiropractic care is a much safer alternative that involves natural treatments to soothe the mind and body -- and take away the pain!

How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?

The duration of your chiropractic treatment certainly depends on your condition and what type of results you’re looking for, but it is common for a chiropractor to recommend at least four weeks of treatment. However, it is also common to notice huge improvements in only one week or after just two appointments, meaning that additional appointments may not be necessary. After your first chiropractic visit, many patients notice less pain almost instantly. Following a few additional weeks of treatment, the pain may disappear for good.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

After reading through this blog, you should feel safe and confident as you pursue your first chiropractic visit. Since you now know exactly what to expect, it’s time to schedule an appointment! Chiropractor schedules can fill up pretty fast, so it’s recommended to contact one of these professionals as soon as possible to ensure you can be seen in a timely manner. It’s time to say goodbye to the pain, improve your range of motion, and live life to the fullest!

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