Back and neck ache can be horribly debilitating. Not only is it physically limiting, but it can affect your sleep, work productivity, and general wellbeing. If you’re looking for pain and tension relief, a visit to the chiropractor can do absolute wonders. But if it’s your first time visiting a chiropractor, you may be wondering what to expect and whether just one treatment can solve your back or neck ache woes. If you’re set to visit Lexington Chiropractic for your first treatment, check out this blog for more on what takes place during your first appointment, and subsequent appointments after that.
A Breakdown of Your First Appointment at Lexington Chiropractic
A doctor of chiropractic, also known as a DC, is a medically trained professional that specializes in spinal health, alignment, neuromuscular disorders, exercise therapy, and nutrition.
When you see a chiropractor in Lexington, you’ll be treated with any one of the following: manipulation therapy, massage, restorative and preventative exercise, stretching, and heat or ice therapy — depending on your specific condition.
Here’s what to expect during your first visit to a Lexington chiropractic clinic:
1. A Review of Your Medical History
Your very first appointment with a chiropractor is usually 45-minutes to an hour. During this time, your chiropractor will go over your medical history and your symptoms, i.e. what brought you into their practice.
They will ask you questions about your pain location, pain levels, past injuries, medical conditions, the medications you take, lifestyle habits, as well as your level of drug and alcohol use.
The point of this first step is to understand your history a little better, in order to understand your injury and the root cause of your pain.
2. You’ll Undergo a Physical Exam
Once your chiropractor has a good amount of information about your medical history and current state of health, they will conduct a physical exam. During this process, you’ll be asked to lie down on a treatment table so that your chiropractor can feel your spine. They will also assess how your joints move, and examine the way you walk.
After this, they will perform a basic strength, reflexes, and range-of-motion test. Depending on your particular case, you may have to undergo x-rays and a blood pressure reading.
3. You’ll Receive Basic Chiropractic Manipulation
If your chiropractor sees fit, they will most likely perform a basic chiropractic treatment or spinal manipulation on you during your first appointment. This is to offer you some form of immediate relief if you are in pain.
During spinal manipulation, your chiropractor adjusts your back or neck (depending on your area of pain) to its maximum range. You will most likely feel a popping or cracking sound as your spine is adjusted, which is completely natural.
This process is not painful, albeit a little awkward at first, and should offer you some form of pain/tension relief. After a spinal adjustment, you may receive a muscle massage or heat or ice compression to finish the treatment process.
4. Post-Treatment Recommendations
Once you have received treatment, your chiropractor will sit down with you and go over a few basic exercises you can do at home for pain relief or to strengthen certain muscles. They may also offer advice on nutrition or a change in lifestyle habits.
Just bear in mind that a chiropractor does not and will prescribe drugs. However, they may recommend certain vitamins and supplements. After this, they will discuss a basic outline of your treatment plan, and a follow-up visit will be scheduled.
Remember that you cannot expect your back or neck issue to be magically healed after just one chiropractic session. The reality is that most treatment plans span several weeks before you notice any marked improvement.
Generally, a recommended treatment plan is to attend chiropractic treatments 2-3 times per week, for a period of 6-weeks. These follow-up visits are usually short though, and only last 20-minutes, maximum.
It’s completely normal to feel some pain and tenderness in the area that was adjusted — this should fade after 1-2 days post-treatment.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Help?
It’s not ”normal” to live with constant back or neck pain. If you’ve been struggling with back or neck ache for several weeks, it’s high time you scheduled a visit with a chiropractor. Some other legitimate reasons to visit a chiropractor include:
Headaches
They are often caused by misalignment of the spine and neck. Chiropractic adjustment can relieve your pain and improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.
A Sedentary Job
If your job requires you to sit for hours at a time, this can lead to postural issues and back and neck pain. Regular chiropractic adjustment can relieve pain, tension, and improve posture.
Chronic Pain and Numbness
As mentioned, it’s not normal to live with constant back and neck pain, especially if certain areas feel numb or tingly, such as the toes, heels, or fingers.
This can be caused by numerous factors, such as bad posture, your work environment, an old injury, or a damaged spinal disc. Regular chiropractic adjustment can solve the underlying issue and offer much-needed pain relief instead of relying on pain medication.
Unevenly Worn Shoe Soles
This is a sign that your spine and hips are misaligned and things need to be readjusted. This issue is known as subluxation in the spine and can turn into a chronic problem if it’s not attended to.
Limited Range-of-Motion
If you cannot turn your head fully to one side, you have a limited range-of-motion in your neck. The same goes for inflexibility in the arms, legs, or lower back. It’s super important to see a chiropractor who can relieve muscle tension, pain, and restore normal range-of-motion and healthy blood flow to these areas.
Schedule Your Appointment with Lexington Chiropractic Today
If you’re looking for back pain relief in Lexington or professional help with any of the above-mentioned spinal issues, Lexington Chiropractic is your go-to.
Whether you’re struggling with sciatica, misaligned joints, muscle stiffness, or a trapped nerve, Dr. Ian Putney is well-versed in providing expert relief with a range of treatments. Contact us to schedule your first appointment today and align your health, by aligning your spine!