What to Expect During Your First Visit to a Chiropractor
Just like any other medical appointment, it can come with its fair share of anxiety and stress to set up your first visit. With that in mind, we wanted to take this time to share some basic expectations that you can have for your first visit to a chiropractic center. Just like anything else, your experience may vary based on the specific circumstances of your situation. However, we hope that this blueprint will help alleviate any nervous feelings you may be experiencing about setting up an appointment, so that we can get you on the path to feeling better sooner.
Check In at the Desk
The first thing that you will see when you walk into Allen County Family and Sports Chiropractic is a welcoming lobby area, where you can check in for your appointment at the front desk. Our staff members are friendly and personable to help create a welcoming environment for all of our patients. You will probably see Dr. Hartle hard at work (but not without sharing a few laughs simultaneously) with the patient he is currently assisting. You may have to fill out a quick informational form while you wait. It sounds easy so far, right?
Initial Assessment and Treatment
Once it is your turn to be seen, your chiropractor will greet you and guide you through the next steps. As we mentioned previously, there are a wide variety of underlying conditions that can bring you to a chiropractor, so we use this initial assessment to determine the best course of treatment. This can include things like adjustments, dry needling, massage therapy, walking examinations, and more. For the most optimal results, go into the first appointment with an open mind to different types of treatments based on the expert guidance of your doctor.
Prescribed Stretches or Exercises
Sometimes, the condition requires additional at-home care outside of the visit to the chiropractor. For instance, if you come in with back pain, the doctor might do an adjustment or provide massage therapy, but we can’t be there all the time. With that in mind, the doctor might prescribe some simple at-home stretches or exercises. Don’t worry, they will not be too strenuous, but they are important to make sure that the progress continues past the point of your initial visit or sustain the pain in-between appointments. If you have any questions, you can always ask your doctor during the appointment, and they will be happy to help you.
Slight Discomfort the Following Days
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for you to experience a little bit of pain or discomfort the following days. The point of a chiropractic visit is to manipulate your bones and muscles to feel better long-term, but that may require some short-term discomfort. The best suggestion we can offer is to take it easy and drink tons of water. If you feel like the pain is a more intense amount than what is typical, please contact your doctor and see if they can offer any guidance.
The simple answer is that chiropractic visits are not terribly different from any other medical visit. What makes one experience different from another mostly lies in the staff, and here at Allen County Family and Sports Chiropractic, we have a real family-like atmosphere and would be happy to have you!