Chiropractor - What Can I Expect First Visit?

I can only tell you form own experience. My first visit was more talking, them getting to know me and getting an understanding of my issues. Then they did ask me to go in for an MRI, to see what was going on in the problem area. From then out, my appointments are them working on me. Good luck!

They should do an eval/intake to determine if you x-rays or an MRI is needed. Those should be done at an imaging center. Neither of the two excellent chiropractors I have seen did either. They could tell without them what my problem was. But this summer when I was rear ended, mine would not do anything until he saw the scans.

It depends. If the Chiro wants to do Xrays right off the bat, and prescribes a come in three times a week for x amount of weeks, then twice a week for x amount of weeks....then yeah you are probably going to one that is more interested in money that actually helping you.

My husband is a Chiro. What he usually does in a first visit is get your medical history, listen to what you have going on and do an evaluation. After that you will probably get your first adjustment. My husband only did three Xrays in three years worth of running his own practice. He did those as a precaution because he was afraid that they had some sort of damage, and he felt uncomfortable by what he felt by a manual exam.

He will be the first one to tell you that each patient has his or her own progress. Only is a problem was severe would he schedule them for three times a week. If they felt better after that first week then he would immediately reduce the visits. Most of he patients were good after only a few visits.

A good chiro will also give you some exercises to do to help you strengthen the problem area. If you have any other questions please PM me and I will try to answer them.

if you go to a chiro who doesnt want X-rays and just wants to get in there and start adjusting, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY!!! a GOOD chiro needs to see if there is any damage that is beyond what he can help, he needs to see exactly how your spine is misaligned etc. the more he/she knows, the better they can see where and what is wrong the better they can fix it!!! I had never gone to one either, but after having 3 babies in 20 months, you can imagine how my back/neck/shoulders felt. (my oldest was 20 months old when the twins were born). My neck was ramrod straight up and down, no curve to it whatsoever. so, he had to do a seperate treatment to put the curve back to my neck. He also took a big family history, for examply my mom and her bio father both have/had Degenerative Disk Disease, so he had to check for that etc. He showed me all of my X-rays and also showed me example x-rays of how i should have looked. he took his time and made sure to get it right. i had to have several treatments before he was able to start adjusting me. seems extreme, but here we are 7 months after having it all done and I am still pain free. I will probably have to go back again of course, but because he took his time, did all the x-rays etc he knew exactly where my problem was. My husband on the other hand, had went to some guy who never did the x-rays, didnt even ask questions about anything, just adjusted. My hubby would be fine for a few weeks and then the pain would be right back.

Mine did an x-ray to see what was going on. They do the usual height, weight and blood pressure stuff.

I HAD to go a LOT at first. I was a HOT MESS. I don't like it when people just assume you go in and they FIX you instantly.

Mine shows me things to do at home to keep me OUT of his office. It's amazing to see what you can do on your own once shown. I'm hooked like a junkie now.

I have had our son going since he was six months old. He LOVES to go and can't wait to go "on the table." He giggles the entire time and then tries to "help" my doctor with my adjustment. I'm glad our doctor loves kids because it does take a little longer to get out of his office.

This summer I got my VERY reluctant husband to go for his shoulder. Now he has a huge "man-crush" on him.

As an RN who had always stayed away from Chiropractors for other reasons, I was pleasantly pleased when the first time I visited mine she did take xrays in addition to a physical exam and assessment.
I'm not sure I would want someone working on me who didn't know what they were dealing with.

I also liked it that she did NOT tell me about a series off appointments. I think if I remember right, she said that she recommended 3 times a week for 2 weeks and If I didn't feel relief she would have to refer me on. And the reason I went in initially was because of an old tailbone injury. My husband and I were flying to Europe for vacation and for whatever reason that old injury was really dealing me fits. I was worried about how I was going to sit on a plane that long AND walk all over Europe. Not only did I feel much better after my initial 2 weeks but I didn't have to go back for 6 months! And yes, the vacation was wonderful!

Actually it was my husband who first went to a chiropractor a few years before I became a convert. He was born with a birth defect that would affect his back. Probably 1-2 times a year he would through his back out, go to the doc, get NO xrays but did get pain pills and muscle relaxers so he could 'sit at his desk and drool on himself' as he put it! ;) For whatever reason one time he said he wanted to try a chiropractor who not only helped him with just a few treatments, but also used accupuncture. He was also given simple exercises as someone else mentioned to strengthen his back. And you know what? He's not had a problem since. That was 10 years ago?

BUT now I truly understand he benefit of chiropractic care and how regular adjustments truly keeps our body 'inline' and healthy. I try to go in once a month or so and amazing how much better I feel. I actually will go to my chiropractor before I call an MD.

Yes there are not so hot chiropractors, just as there are MD's. And trust me, in my 30 years of nursing I saw plenty of not so hot MD's. Including MD's who have gotten in trouble for Insurance and medicare fraud. I even knew of a physician who got shut down by the FDA for his fraudulent clinical research data that was being used as valid for drugs we count on to be safe.

I good chiro will want x-rays or an MRI. They shouldn't adjust you without them. There could be something wrong and an adjustment will/can make it worse. The first visit they will go over what chiropractic care is and how it works. All chiropractors are different and adjust differently. Some are gentle and some feel like they are twisting you into a pretzel. I prefer to see a holistic chiropractor they are gentler and will work with massage therapists. They will also tell you if they can't help and recommend you to someone that can.
Just an FYI, if you are not comfortable with your chiropractor try another one. I found one here close to my house and wasn't happy. He was causing more pain and seemed more interested in making money then helping anyone. I searched holistic mom’s network and found a great one about 40 minutes away. It may also take a few adjustments to notice a difference.

Dunno, but I will say that I am a Dr first type of person and with my most recent neck/shoulder/upper back pain I am experiencing I am glad I did. My Dr (regular physician....then had a yearly visit to my neurologist for migraines who greatly agreed..along with the super specialized neuro-pain guy who did my steroid injection #1 and will do #2 in 2 weeks)...they all said NO manipulation by chiro or massage people. I had an MRI done the day I went to the regular Dr and the next day was told I have 2 bulging discs in my neck and a pinched nerve that is causing the sensations in my left arm and hand. It seems to be all of our opinion that this is likely something that was more minimally in place for years (based on my symptoms I described and migraine and other history), and my workout injury made it all go super wonky and thats where I am now.

So just be careful is my advice. I surely could have made my situation worse if I had been a believer in the chiro route.

Good luck!

Totally agree with 3boys under3. My husband was hurt at work and went to a Chiro. My husband expected to be worked on right away and was very skeptical when the chiro wanted tests first. The doc told him that he could not do something without knowing what was going on first. Why is there pain and what does it look like? He got MRI and xray done. Then the doc worked on him. It did get to a point though that the doc told him that since what he was doing was not working, he would be better seeing a specialist. That is actually right around the time his job did the workers comp thing right and he did start seeing others. A good doc wants to see everything first and will tell you when what he or she does will not work for you.

It is routine to ask if a patient has x-rays. Often, people come from another specialist, so they've had them done. They will most likely talk with you and take a look at you, before x-rays are suggested. The only time a chiro should do an x-ray the first visit, is if they feel there is damage in there...and they need to look at it, before adjusting. There are times a chiro has to tweak how the do an adjustment, based on your body. Sometimes, it can harm you to do an adjustment, without internal information first. That' not most cases, though. If they suggest an x-ray, just ask why!! If they can't give a real reason, don't do it. It is common with severe pain/issues, to recommend a short term treatment plan. For example, getting adjusted a certain amount of times over 2 -3 weeks. Anything longer then a short term plan, should not be made. A chiro has no idea where your body will be after a few weeks, so they have no way of knowing, if you will even need them. After your short term treatment is up, they will evaluate. If you are feeling great, they will probably suggest coming in once a month, or every few months, to maintain the progress.

As far as the first visit, and adjustment might feel strange, but it won't hurt. What might be uncomfortable, is the muscles. You muscles have been in this certain place for a long time. When you get adjusted, it's asking the muscles to hold everything in it's correct place. That can make you sore, later that day, after the adjustment. Totally normal. Being sore is good. It means your body is working. Drink LOTS of water!! It helps your muscles stay hydrated. If it's possible for you, take a hot, soaking bath at night. That really helps your muscles and soreness. Even better, is an Epsom salt bath. Try to really not take any noninflammatory (unless your have bad inflammation to begin with, and the Dr. suggests it), inflammation is good after an adjustment.

I would run if the first thing a chiropractor wanted to do was to get x-rays or an MRI. No no no. Least invasive first!

I went to a chiropractor for the first time about a year ago, when I severely injured my back while reaching down to take my son out of his crib. I couldn't stand upright and was in tears. My chiro started by doing an assessment, based on viewing my range of motion, my posture, and then by lying me down on the table so he could feel my spine. My problem? Herniated discs.

Over the course of the next few months, I went to him for periodic adjustments, and to learn exercises to remedy the problem, and to prevent future problems. The word "x-ray" never came up. A good chiropractor won't say anything about scanning you until s/he sees you and gives you a clinical assessment. If they are still scratching their heads after that, then they might consider a scan. If that's the first thing they do when you walk in the door, walk right back out without having anything done.

ETA: I am not sure where Petersburg is, but my doctor is in the Naperville/Plainfield area and he is great. His website has a lot of great info, if you are interested in checking it out. http://www.spinalandsportsrehab.com/

Your Chiro should recommend that you come twice a week - but not push you into any kind of package or anything. Stay away from those that do.

Expect to have a discussion followed by an adjustment.

If you are like me, you might be in some pain the next day. Advil helps.

My wife went to one for back pain. He immediately started the sales pitch for a 'series of visits' which at the 'special plan pricing' should help her. NO THANKS. And this guy was highly recommended. I've heard of this before with chiros. Similar to a massage membership. Hope that's not the case with your deal. Good Luck

Some chiros dont' have xray machines in the office so if they don't and they feel they need some they will send you to an imaging center. Mine do not have one in the office but they can tell what is wrong without them. I have had to have an MRI but that's because I have herniated disks and most know how to read those too. More than likey they will have you do different things to figure out what your range of motion is. And where the problems are. Some will adjust at the first visit and some will not. Different ones do different things. I have been to good and bad ones. I see mine more than my pcp for my pains.

Good luck and God Bless!

If he's a GOOD chiro he won't need x-rays, it's just a way for them to get paid.. see they buy the x-ray machine, rent it to themselves, then charge you and your insurance out the wahzoo for the x-ray.. so if he wants to immediately do x-rays and you haven't been in a severe accident (which you probably haven't since you haven't had the tests done already) then tell him you'd like to see someone else. Seriously. And I'd even go as far as saying if he doesn't adjust you the first day and he uses that first appointment to do a "work up" (total BS) you need to ask him if the consultation is free because he did absolutely nothing.. you don't go to a Primary Care and the first visit they just look at you so they can decide what approach to take, if he can't figure that out day one then he's either not a good chiro or he's trying to rip you off. Trust me, I worked closely with an amazing chrio and my cousin is one.. go in there well informed and let them know that if he plans on not adjusting you that day you either 1.)Don't want your insurance charged for the visit or 2.) You want to cancel and get in with another chiro.. it'll surprise the hell out of them that you are well informed and it may stop them from screwing you around!

Some will do xrays, some won't...will depend on your history mostly and type of pain. It does help to have them, so you can see what you're trying to correct and have something to compare it to later. Most do xrays in their office. Some will just do xrays and an examination the first day then have you come back for a "report of findings" after which you'll get your first adjustment. Mine does adjustments on the first visit. You should probably ice afterward for ten minutes and again every hour if needed afterward.

You do need to go often for a while to get things back to where they should be (your muscles may have "trained" your spine to be held in the improper position and need to be retrained), that's where massage therapy can also help in conjunction. Then once it is in proper position, you want to keep it there so should do a maintenance plan. I get adjusted at least twice a month regularly. It's like putting braces on your teeth only for a week at a time then taking them off, the teeth will shift back. Or like working out only once a month and expecting to stay in shape!

I love mine, he's not about people coming back three times a week for three months, etc...and charging a ton. He tells you what would work and leaves it up to you to make it work with his recommendations. Hope yours is similar!

When i first went i had xrays done of my back but the first visit he did a stress scan thing on my back to see how i was lining up and where my stress points were and decided a therapy and i did my first alignment that day and the NEXT day i was in so much pain i couldnt walk i stayed home from school but then the day after that i felt so much better

snap crackle and pop. then asked to reschedule every week.

i have had better results with a really good masseuse, or a Napiopath (sp?) if you can find one.
and start a daily stretching regimen.

Yes a good Chiro will take x rays and a lot of them will include them in the first consult free of charge. An experienced Chiro will be able to tell if there are some serious issues that need more testing his by the films. My Chiro was able to tell me by xray what a Dr had to take an mri to figure out. I personally would not let one adjust me without taking xrays the first visit. They were able to see things that needed to be corrected that they couldn't tell by touch alone. It also helped me understand how important it was for me to follow all at home exercises. For me to see what was supposed to look like as aoposed to what I actually looked...well a picture speaks a thousand words.

It also will help them get an idea if thee is something more serious that needs further investigation before treatment to prevent further injury. I was against chiros, but I was desperate and ended up wishing I had gone years sooner. I go to a great one in Buffalo Grove. They are a brother team that uses massage, physical therapy, and adjustments. They are great and care about the patient and not just making a buck.

When it's all said and done, it is better to be safe than sorry and really...one set of xrays will not hurt.