What To Expect During Your First Visit To A Chiropractor

Updated on February 6, 2022

Forest Park is one of the cities in Clayton County, Georgia. It’s situated nine miles south of Atlanta and belongs to Marietta Metropolitan Statistical Area and Atlanta–Sandy Springs. A lot of modern development in the last few decades has made the city a viable commerce site. 

Today, Forest Park is run by a council-manager type of government that provides complete support services to its residents. Among the booming industries, chiropractic care is a popular treatment method in Forest Park. A chiropractor helps relieve the symptoms of the patient from conditions such as sciatica and back pain. The initial consultation usually lasts about 45 minutes or so and involves the patient undergoing a comprehensive chiropractic exam.

Basic goals and beliefs of chiropractors

A chiropractor learns and understands the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. They believe that the structural and biomechanical derangement of the spine has a big contribution to the condition of the nervous system. In many cases, chiropractic care can improve the health of the patient, minimize the pressure on the neurological tissue, and restore the structural component of the spine. The principle of chiropractic treatment is to restore the normal mobility of the spine, which helps relieve the spinal nerve irritation and establishes altered reflexes again. 

Symptoms and patient history

As part of the chiropractic consultation, the patient will fill out forms to give the chiropractor an idea about the background information of the condition and the symptoms. The practitioner will also ask about the family medical history, past injuries, and pre-existing health problems. It also helps the chiropractor to know the current and previous treatments and health providers of the patient. 

The chiropractic exam

An intensive chiropractic exam comprises general tests, including respiration, reflexes, pulse, and blood pressure. This also includes neurological and orthopedic tests to determine the muscle strength, muscle tone, neurological integrity, and the motion of the affected body part. Additional tests may be needed to evaluate the affected area much further, for example, chiropractic manipulation or posture analysis. 

Diagnostic Studies

Diagnostic studies can help identify structural abnormalities and reveal pathologies to diagnose a condition more accurately. This is all based on the medical history of the patient and the results of the chiropractic exam. However, diagnostic studies do not always follow the chiropractic exam. The chiropractor in Forest Park, GA, will have good reasons to recommend certain tests such as an X-ray to help with the treatment program of the patient. 

Treatment plan

The chiropractic treatment typically starts during the first visit. The recommendations and purposes of the treatment may include modalities to promote pain control and soft tissue healing like traction, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. It may require patient education for proper motor control and good posture, which may get rid of anxiety. 

Stretching or strengthening exercises can help increase strength, coordination, and muscle balance. Adjustments to the dysfunctions of the key joints are also beneficial to the patient. Additional treatments may also be necessary like cold and heat application, or massage. 

When you see a chiropractor in Forest Park, GA, they will design an individual plan for treatment for every patient. Long-term goals mean restoring mobility independence and tolerance to daily activities while short-term goals consist of restoring muscle balance and normal joint function. It’s possible to reach these chiropractic goals by visiting your chiropractor several times. 

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