What to Expect During Your First Chiropractic Adjustment

Did you know that 77% of people who see a chiropractor consider the treatment to be very effective?

If you’re going to see a chiropractor in Las Vegas, you’re making significant strides in managing your pain and improving your health. To ensure you’re ready for your first chiropractic adjustment, you’ll need to know what to expect and what information your chiropractor needs

Keep reading this guide to learn what to expect at your first chiropractor appointment!

Before the Initial Consultation

To prepare for your first appointment, you’ll fill out forms to give your chiropractor an overall picture of your current health. You’ll need to answer questions about your medical history and current symptoms, like:

You’ll also need to provide information about the pain you’re feeling. Your chiropractor will want to know if the pain started due to an injury.

They’ll also want to know if your pain is dull, sharp, achy, or constant in nature. This information will give your chiropractor a better idea of how this pain impacts your daily activities.

Chiropractic Exam

During the first visit, your chiropractor will perform tests like taking your pulse and blood pressure. They’ll also test your reflexes and assess your muscle tone and strength.

You might also have more tests to assess the affected area. These tests depend on your specific condition but can include the following:

Walking Exam

You’ll walk back and forth a few times across the room. Doing this allows your chiropractor to assess if you have problems with your legs, pelvis, or spine.

Flexibility Tests

Your chiropractor may ask you to perform different movements, which include stretches and bending. Flexibility tests help determine your range of motion. They also tell your chiropractor what limitations you might be experiencing.

Leg Raises

You also may be asked to do straight leg raises. During this test, you’ll lie down and lift each leg in the air, keeping your knee straight. Having trouble with these movements may indicate a problem with your leg muscles or sciatic nerve.

Diagnostic Tests

Based on your history and exam, you might also need diagnostic tests to evaluate the condition of your bones, muscles, and tissues

You may also need an MRI scan for more extensive studies if your chiropractor suspects a herniated disc or other problems.

Chiropractic Treatment Plan

Next, your chiropractor will establish a custom treatment plan based on their findings. This treatment plan includes short and long-term goals, like

Most of the time, you’ll start treatment on the same day as your initial consultation.

Usually, the first treatment is a chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is a technique that uses a controlled force on joints in your spine. Ultimately, this realigns your spine and takes the pressure off nerves and muscles.

Your chiropractor might also recommend other treatments such as:

Electronic Muscle Stimulation

Electronic muscle stimulation involves sending electrical pulses to stimulate sore or injured muscles. These pulses manipulate your nerves to reduce the pain you’re feeling.

Electrodes go on the skin near the treatment area, and wires attach to the main device. This device sends consistent gentle pulses to your muscles which signals them to contract.

Electronic muscle stimulation is helpful for conditions like back pain, nerve inflammation, and arthritis.

Ultrasound

During ultrasound therapy, waves from the transducer vibrate the treatment area. A therapist will move the transducer around this area for 5 to 10 minutes. They can also adjust the frequency to allow for deeper tissue stimulation.

Ultrasound therapy is beneficial for breaking down scar tissues and increasing blood flow to the area. It also speeds up the healing process for injuries like sprains and strains.

Your chiropractor will usually recommend ultrasound therapy for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and myofascial pain.

Massage Therapy

Many chiropractors have a licensed massage therapist on staff. Massage therapy can help decrease muscle tension and inflammation. It targets specific trigger points, which ultimately relaxes your muscles.

It can also improve circulation and is an effective way to manage conditions like chronic back pain. Massage therapy is very useful in conjunction with other treatments like electronic muscle stimulation.

Therapeutic Exercises

Strengthening exercises and therapeutic stretching are essential to managing conditions like low back pain and muscle injuries.

These exercises are critical to strengthening the core muscles in your back and abdomen, preventing injuries from reoccurring. In addition, aerobic exercise helps to maintain muscle tone, improve circulation, and promote proper digestion.

A variety of stretching techniques help with flexibility and also help muscles like hamstrings loosen up, improving range of motion. Stretching also helps to prevent pain from an injury from becoming chronic.

Chronic pain can lead to inactivity and permanent issues with mobility

Your chiropractor will help you with stretching and strengthening exercises at your appointments. They will also teach you exercises to do at home regularly.

Schedule a Chiropractic Adjustment Today

Now that you know what to expect during your first chiropractic adjustment, you’ll feel less anxiety before your first appointment.

If you’re still searching Google for a “chiropractor near me,” you won’t need to look any further than Blue Diamond Integrative Care Clinic.

We can treat various conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, sprains, and car accident injuries. Depending on your condition, we offer chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, muscle stimulation therapy, and more.

We look forward to helping you, so make sure you contact us today to schedule a consultation!