Your First Visit
Your chiropractor may be treating your muscle or joint pain, but he needs to understand how your body functions as a whole. In particular he will focus on your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system. Your chiropractor needs a complete picture of your health history and overall current health in order to provide the best possible treatment for you.
You may be asked about the following:
During a thorough physical, your chiropractor will:
You may be asked about the following:
- personal and family medical history
- major illnesses
- surgeries or operations
- prescription or over the counter medications
- a description of your present condition
- steps you have taken to manage your condition
- diet and exercise routine
- herbal remedies and other supplements
- your sleeping habits, daily activities, work routine, stress level, and home life.
During a thorough physical, your chiropractor will:
- check your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing
- test your reflexes, strength, and sensations
- assess your posture
- perform various orthopaedic tests
- analyze your overall movement – through observing how you walk, turn, bend or lift things
- evaluation of how well your spine moves, identifying restrictions and areas of improper motion
Once you have filled out the required paperwork, your condition has been explained to you in full, and the risks and benefits of treatment discussed; treatment can commence.
The mainstay of chiropractic treatment is the "adjustment". An adjust is a gentle but quick force that is directed at the joints in your spine or extremities with your chiropractor's hands. Occasionally, a "cracking" or "popping" sound occurs. This is completely normal, however, not necessary for the adjustment to be successful. The aim of the adjustment is to help facilitate more movement and decrease pain in the area the treatment was directed.
Your chiropractor may also use massage techniques that are specifically directed at troublesome muscles to also help to alleviate pain and increase your movement capabilities.
Occasionally your chiropractor may recommend a type of electrotherapy called "Inferential Current (IFC)". It works similar to that of a "Dr. Ho's" machine, and is aimed at dulling the pain you are experiencing in the short term.
Finally, you will be sent home with instructions on therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise. You will be expected to complete these as they are imperative to recovery and decreasing recurrence rates.
All this takes time; please allow 45-60 minutes for your first visit.
The mainstay of chiropractic treatment is the "adjustment". An adjust is a gentle but quick force that is directed at the joints in your spine or extremities with your chiropractor's hands. Occasionally, a "cracking" or "popping" sound occurs. This is completely normal, however, not necessary for the adjustment to be successful. The aim of the adjustment is to help facilitate more movement and decrease pain in the area the treatment was directed.
Your chiropractor may also use massage techniques that are specifically directed at troublesome muscles to also help to alleviate pain and increase your movement capabilities.
Occasionally your chiropractor may recommend a type of electrotherapy called "Inferential Current (IFC)". It works similar to that of a "Dr. Ho's" machine, and is aimed at dulling the pain you are experiencing in the short term.
Finally, you will be sent home with instructions on therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise. You will be expected to complete these as they are imperative to recovery and decreasing recurrence rates.
All this takes time; please allow 45-60 minutes for your first visit.
You can speed up your visit by:
- Wearing comfortable clothing that covers sensitive areas, but allows the chiropractor to examine the region of complaint. Gym clothes is a good example.
- Obtain patient intake forms before your first appointment (below).
Intake Forms
To speed up your appointment; print, read carefully, and complete these forms. There are 4 pages in total. Should you have questions or are unclear regarding anything, leave the section blank and bring it up with Dr. Giles.
| health_history_and_health_status_survey.pdf |
| intake_and_office_policy.pdf |