What Should I Expect at my Chiropractic Appointment?

During your initial visit, you will be provided with a few registration and medical history forms by the office staff. Then the chiropractor will typically ask further questions about your health history and about your current problem or condition, such as:

• If you are experiencing pain, where is it located and when did you first notice it?
• Does the pain or discomfort seem to be the result of a recent injury or activity, or has it existed for some time?
• Are there activities or circumstances that make it better?
• Are there activities or circumstances that make it worse?

You may also be asked about any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, your family’s medical history, and other treatments you have received from health care providers. Once completed, your chiropractor then will carry out a thorough chiropractic examination, with a special emphasis on the spine. In addition to general tests such as blood pressure, respiration, reflexes, and pulse, the examination may include certain tests to assess the range of motion of the injured or painful body part, muscle tone and strength, and neurological integrity. Additional diagnostic studies such as X-rays or laboratory tests may be performed or recommended.

The medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests all help to determine a specific diagnosis. The chiropractor will explain the diagnosed condition to you and determine if it is likely respond well to chiropractic care. If so, the chiropractor will explain the proposed chiropractic treatment plan or other treatments to you and the anticipated length that the treatment should take. Both short- and long-term goals for your treatment will be discussed, and additional therapies may be recommended for future visits, such as:

• Application of heat or cold to affected areas.
• Massage and stretching.
• Modalities to speed healing of soft tissues and improve pain control, such as electrical stimulation and traction.
• Rehabilitative and general exercise to improve muscle balance, strength, and coordination.
• Lifestyle counseling about healthy eating and weight loss.

At my chiropractic office in Burke, VA we begin treatment during the first visit to provide pain relief for your injury. During a typical treatment, you will be placed in various specific positions while your chiropractor treats the affected areas. For example, you may be asked to lie face down on a padded table specifically designed for chiropractic adjustments. The goal of the treatment is to provide pain relief and restore mobility and function. You may hear cracking or popping sounds as your chiropractor adjusts your joints during the treatment session. This is similar to cracking one's knuckles, and the noise you hear is a gas bubble releasing as the pressure inside the joint is released.

As your course of treatment continues, your chiropractor will evaluate your progress, to see how much your treatments are helping, and may adjust the recommended treatment regimen accordingly. We provide short term, pain-relief care for your neck and back pain.  If you are suffering from back pain or neck pain give our office a call at (703) 912-7822 or visit us at Chiropractor in Burke, VA.

By Dr. Todd P. Sullivan