Not knowing what to expect can be a source of stress for individuals, so we would like to ease your worry by giving you a detailed account of what to expect on your first, second, and subsequent visits.
Upon arrival you will be greeted by name and begin the check in process. All our paperwork is done electronically, so you will be handed an iPad to complete your initial intake form.
Once completed, Dr. Jill will sit down with you to discuss your chief complaints, concerns, and to begin to set goals together for your future care and health needs.
Since your spine’s function is to act like a suit of armour to protect your spinal cord, it is important to make sure it is functioning and positioned exactly where it needs to be to ensure your spinal cord stays safe and healthy. We do this by starting out with a detailed exam.
There are three parts to this exam. First, you will lay face down on the table for your spinal assessment. I will start at the pelvis and work my way up the spine to the base of your skull assessing each segment and vertebrae for the possibility of subluxation (a misalignment of the spine that will decrease the function of your nervous system). At this time I will also examine the integrity of the associated muscle groups to determine if muscle spasm, atrophy, or dysfunction is present.
I will typically ask questions at this time about your generalized health and function of your internal organ systems because dysfunction of the spine can disrupt the normal balance and create unpleasant symptoms that can happen periodically or daily.
Secondly, I will guide you through certain movements and body positions known as Range of Motion (ROM). This is to observe areas of the spine and surrounding musculature that are not moving properly or freely and can be contributing factors to your symptoms.
Third, I will follow this with muscle testing of the upper and lower extremities. This is done to rule out possible nerve root involvement such as disc herniation, nerve root entrapment, or pinched nerves.
It is at this time where I may recommend x-rays be taken depending on your exam results, symptoms, and information you completed on the intake form. In that case, I will give you an x-ray referral for a complete and comprehensive x-ray series to be done at any of the local facilities that have radiography on site.
Because this initial appointment will generate an abundance of information for both of us to process and the doctor may need to wait for the additional tests to be completed, we will then move to the front desk where we will schedule you the next business day for your Report of Findings (we will go over the exam, postural assessment, and possible x-ray results). This is done to not overwhelm you on the first visit and also to shorten the length of the first visit which could be extensive at times.
At the following visit, if it is determined that chiropractic can help you, we will develop a plan together that will start you on a path of healing, decreasing your symptoms, and improving your nervous system’s generalized function. It will be at this time that you will receive your first adjustment. There are many techniques that can be used, and each patient is different, therefore each care plan will be tailored to your needs to develop a routine that builds off of each visit and will help your body heal and function more optimally.
*In certain situations, and in the professional judgment of the Balanced Life Chiropractic team, we sometimes make exceptions to adjusting on the initial visit. It just depends on your unique situation and will be determined case by case to ensure you receive the quickest and best results possible to restore your health and decrease your pain both short and long term.
Regular Visits
After the investment of time needed on the first and second visits, many patients become concerned that every visit will be of equal length. In one word, that answer is no.
A typical visit may require just 5 to 10 minutes. But don’t think the brevity of a regular visit lessens its value.
With the groundwork laid, we can quickly size up the condition of your spine and nervous system, adjust you and get you on your way. Like a regular workout at the gym, each visit builds on the ones before. Miss a visit and you can lose the momentum necessary to make the needed changes.
