Chiropractor Edmonton South

If you have never seen a chiropractor before, you may wonder what to expect the first time you see a chiropractor. How will you feel after the treatment sessions? What exactly happens during the chiropractor appointment? And the big question on many people’s minds is if it will hurt? A visit to a chiropractor in Edmonton South typically includes an initial intake, a physical examination, a treatment, as well as a follow-up plan.

Initial Intake

Initial chiropractic consultation is quite similar to a normal medical intake. The patient will probably complete a health questionnaire before answering questions about their medical history. The chiropractor will typically ask you to indicate where you are uncomfortable by marking the areas on a human body drawing.

Physical Examination

The chiropractor begins with a routine physical examination, followed by an examination that focuses on the spine, paying special attention to areas of complaint. The chiropractor will probably examine your entire spine. For instance, if you have a lower back problem, the chiropractor will probably perform a neck examination as well, as adjustments due to subluxation or injury in one area can cause secondary irritation in another part of the spine.

Typically, the physical examination includes a variety of evaluations, such as muscle strength comparisons, reflex testing, palpation, range of motion tests as well as orthopedic and neurological tests focused on the primary complaint.

Treatment Plan

After the exams, the chiropractor will develop a treatment plan that takes the following into account:

• The extent of the irritation or injury
• Your general health
• The condition of the spine as affected by past injuries and age
• Treatment goals

The goals of your treatment should emerge from a discussion with your chiropractor. Many patients seek simple relief from discomfort or pain, while others want to begin ongoing care to improve their overall health.

During the first consultations, your chiropractor will inform you of the status of the condition and recommend a therapeutic approach.

What’s a Typical Treatment?

The “adjustments” are often the central part of chiropractic care. A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic manipulation in which controlled force, velocity, amplitude, direction, and leverage are directed at specific joints. This means that there is much more to an adjustment than just opening a joint.

Your chiropractor will primarily perform these adjustments to the spine but may adjust other joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle to improve joint function or restore structural alignment. Again, proper structure is important for proper function, and proper limb function is a critical part of healthy daily life.

If you are being treated for a condition such as a neck or back pain, you will probably be given a series of adjustments, a day or a few days apart, to improve normal function and gradually reduce irritation. It can take several weeks and usually decreases in frequency.

If you cannot tolerate manual adjustments, you can use gentle or non-applied techniques. The adjustments are usually accompanied by non-manual therapies, such as electrical stimulation, application of ice or heat, orthotics for shoes, rehabilitation exercises, weight loss, advice on diet, and other lifestyle factors, as well as nutritional supplements.

If you are looking for the best chiropractor in Edmonton South, Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy is your best bet. Our chiropractors are highly trained and are eager to help you.