I've Never Been to a Chiropractor — What Should I Expect?

Your first visit to Herald Square Chiropractic and Sport promises a departure from traditional doctor visits. We specialize in musculoskeletal alignment, setting up your body for peak efficiency. That said, many first-timers arrive seeking only relief for back pain, neck pain, or headaches. 

That’s fine! But we can also help you with your immediate health concerns. And there’s even better news when you learn that ongoing chiropractic care can improve your overall health and wellness. 

Sometimes, new experiences can be daunting when you don’t know what to expect. To ease your concerns, we’ve prepared an outline to guide you through your first experience. Rest assured that any pain you experience will only be the pain with which you arrived. 

Medical history and symptoms

Every medical appointment starts with a review of your medical history. Past health events like chronic conditions, major illnesses, injuries, and surgeries can impact new treatments. 

We’ll ask about your family and any genetic conditions you may have. Come prepared with a list of medications you take regularly and any dietary supplements you use. Sleep patterns, exercise routines, and diet also impact overall health. 

Then, we’ll get to your current condition and its symptoms. We may explore the reasons behind a specific injury or the ongoing work conditions or sports activities that could be contributing to your pain. 

Physical exam

Then, our chiropractor starts a physical exam. We may ask you to walk, bend, or lift to give us more insights about your condition. 

We may also perform a series of tests highlighting reflexes, senses, and strength. These may be accompanied with the stimulation of pressure points. How your body reacts can tell us about your musculoskeletal alignment. 

Diagnostics

Depending on your condition, we may need further information, typically in the form of an X-ray, to ensure there’s no structural damage like a bone fracture. 

An X-ray isn’t always necessary. In the case of soft tissue injury, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan might be requested, but this isn’t common. If you’ve been referred to our clinic and have these test results available, bring them to your first appointment. 

Chiropractic adjustment

We start treatment after we have sufficient information to treat your condition safely. Don’t be surprised if there’s a focus on parts of your body nowhere near the site of your pain. 

The spinal cord is the primary information conduit between the brain and the body, so the entire path of nerves could impact your condition. Therefore, we may work on your neck, even when your symptoms are in the lower back or legs. 

Expect your first appointment to last 40-60 minutes. Subsequent sessions are usually 20 minutes or less. 

Make an appointment with Herald Square Chiropractic and Sport by phone or online. Let us know if you’re a first-time chiropractic patient. There’s no need to live with musculoskeletal pain, so schedule your visit today.