The first appointment to a new chiropractor can be nerve-wracking, because you don’t know how to prepare for your appointment and what you should expect from it.
The same is true if you’ve never been to a chiropractor’s office before. A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
If you have a chiropractor appointment on the calendar and are looking for some advice to get the most out of your first appointment, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll tell you how you can prepare for your first appointment, what you can expect from it, and where you can go for individualized chiropractic care in Colorado.
Getting Ready for Your First Chiropractor Appointment
Here are some tips that you can follow to prepare for your first appointment.
Bring Your Necessary Documents
Before your appointment, gather all your necessary documents, such as your medical record, a list of your medications, insurance card, identification card, and a form of payment (if you will be paying out of pocket). This will save you from stress or rush on the day of the appointment.
Arrive 15 Minutes Early
As a new patient, you may have to fill out some necessary paperwork, like a new patient form and insurance form. As such, plan to arrive at the chiropractor’s office 15 minutes early.
Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothes
During your visit, your chiropractor will do a physical examination and chiropractic adjustments, for which you’ll likely be laying on a chiropractic table and your chiropractor will move you in various positions. You may also need to remove your clothing for imaging tests, such as an X-ray. So, wear clothes you can easily remove and have fully mobility in.
Prepare Your Questions
You may have a lot of questions in mind that you want to ask your chiropractor, but it is likely that you will forget some questions during your visit. So, prepare a list of your questions in advance and bring it with you to the appointment.
What Can You Expect from a Chiropractor Appointment?
During your visit, your chiropractor will sit with you and discuss your problems and goals. They will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. Then, your chiropractor will do a physical exam, during which they will move your joints, feel your spine, and assess the way you walk. They may also test your reflexes, strength, and range of motion.
Sometimes, a chiropractor also orders diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, or checks your blood pressure. After thorough evaluation and testing, the chiropractor will develop a treatment plan.
Typically, a chiropractor starts your treatment, such as adjustments, muscle massage, or heat or ice therapy, at your first appointment. They may also give you exercises to do at home. You can expect the first appointment to last about an hour. Subsequent appointments will be shorter, as they will focus on administering treatment.
Experienced Chiropractor in Grand Junction, CO
If you have pain that is affecting your quality of life, seek chiropractic care from our expert chiropractor at WorkPartners Occupational Health. Our chiropractor, Dr. Angello, can thoroughly evaluate your problem and develop a treatment plan that will help you get healthy and stay healthy.
To learn more about us or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (970) 241-5585 or fill out our online appointment form now. We look forward to serving you!
