Your First Chiropractic Adjustment

Woman receiving a back adjustment

What to Expect During Your First Chiropractic Visit

Have you been thinking about making an appointment with a chiropractor due to pain in your back, neck, hip or limbs? Chiropractic treatment offers a natural way to ease pain, reduce insomnia and stress, relieve numbness and tingling, and help you stay healthy. Here's what you can expect during your first appointment.

You'll Spend a Little Time Talking to the Chiropractor

Before your treatment begins, your chiropractor will review the questionnaire you completed and ask you to describe the location, duration, and intensity of your pain and its cause, if known. You'll also discuss your hobbies, lifestyle, and job.

These questions help your chiropractor get to know you and provide valuable information about the lifestyle factors that may have triggered or worsened your symptoms.

Your Chiropractor Will Perform a Thorough Examination

During the exam, your doctor will evaluate the strength and tone of your muscles and also assess your posture, range of motion, flexibility, and level of pain when moving the sore or injured part of your body.

The exam will include vital sign measurements and neurological and orthopedic tests. Your chiropractor may also take a few X-rays to evaluate the health of your spine and joints. In some cases, other tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, may be ordered.

You May Receive an Adjustment During Your First Visit

After your chiropractor reviews your history and the results of your exam, he or she will prepare a treatment plan. Many plans include spinal manipulations, also known as adjustments. Adjustments correct subluxations, which occur when the vertebrae in your spine become misaligned.

Misalignments can cause joint and muscle pain, restrict movement, and press on nerves. Pressure on nerves may trigger pain and even affect the normal functioning of organs. Subluxations can happen due to falls, injuries or poor posture. You may develop them if you spend hours working on a computer, driving a truck or looking at a smartphone or digital screen.

During an adjustment, your chiropractor will ask you to sit or lie on your side, back or stomach. An adjustment only takes a few seconds and involves quick, hands-on thrusts applied to your back or neck to realign the vertebrae. Your chiropractor may also use a small, handheld device to perform adjustments.

Although it may sound as if your bones are cracking during your adjustment, that's not the case. The sound actually occurs when gas in the joints is rapidly released.

Before your chiropractor adjusts your spine, he or she will explain what will happen during the treatment and discuss how the adjustment will improve your symptoms.

Your Chiropractor Many Recommend a Few Other Therapies

In addition to adjustments, your chiropractor may recommend one or more of these therapies:

  • Massage. Massage loosens tight muscles, decreases stress, and improves flexibility and range of motion.
  • Spinal Mobilization. Mobilization involves slow, hands-on pressure to improve the position of your vertebrae.
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization. Stretching your soft tissues with handheld instruments breaks up scar tissue, improves range of motion, and may decrease pain caused by tendonitis, bursitis, sprains, strains, and plantar fasciitis.
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS). TENS treatment blocks the transmission of pain signals with a gentle, low-voltage current applied to your body through small electrodes.
  • Ultrasound Treatment. Ultrasound waves promote healing, improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and loosen tight muscles.

You'll Discuss Next Steps Before You Leave

Although you'll probably notice that your pain has decreased after your first adjustment, you'll need additional treatments to keep your pain under control and address the underlying issue that caused your symptoms. During the next several weeks, your chiropractor may recommend that you visit a few times every week.

Your treatment schedule will vary depending on the nature of your complaint and the severity of your pain. Your chiropractor may also show you a few exercises that you can do at home between visits to improve your comfort.

Are you tired of living with pain or muscle weakness? Chiropractic treatment can ease your pain without drugs. Contact our office to schedule your first appointment.

Sources:

Spine-Health: What Expect at the First Chiropractic Consultation, 8/1/13

Medline Plus: Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

Spine Universe: Chiropractic Therapies

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Dr. Goodman is a miracle worker! He has been our chiropractor of choice for over 10+ years. Dr. Goodman is friendly and knowledgeable. He listens and sincerely cares about his patients’ needs. I highly recommend him for any of your chiropractic needs."
    ANGELA WALKER
  • "Dr. Goodman is the best chiropractor that I've ever had! I love coming here he takes care of me very well and his receptionist is awesome as well. I love Goodman chiropractic!"
    SHANE BUNDY
  • "Such an amazing team. Always so welcoming. So easy to communicate. They have always squeezed me in if my schedule changes. I won't go anywhere else."
    ASHLEY GIBSON
  • "Dr. Goodman is great! He explains to you why and what he is doing. He works with you to come up with a treatment plan. He feels like a friend that just wants to help you feel better. I don't think I could ever go any where else again."
    MELISSA HOYT
  • "After two weeks of visits, I feel 15 years younger!

    Back pain is pretty much gone and I feel so much better.

    Dr. Goodman is an expert and true professional at his craft.

    I've been visiting for lower back pain, but they can help with so much more. Give their office a call if you are considering a chiropractor."
    PARKER MCCUMBER
  • "I'm from out of town visiting my daughter. I hurt my lower back just before leaving on vacation. I was miserable. My daughter had been to Dr. Goodman for her neck which fixed as well. She made me an appointment after 2 visits I was feeling great. I would highly recommend Dr. Goodman."
    TOMMY THOMSON
  • "Dr. Goodman does a great job and listens when I tell him what is going on with me."
    BRIAN
  • "We love going to the chiropractor!!! My children who are 11 and 9 look forward to going as well. Dr goodman is the best. I've been to several chiropractors, they all just end up hurting me and I never want to go back. He has helped not only my neck and lower back feel better, but my whole body as well. If you need to see a chiropractor, go see someone else; because Dr Goodman is all MINE!!! 😁😁😁. OH, and I can not forget his LOVELY receptionist Chiska she is AWESOMESAUSE πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ My children love her as well."
    REBECCA TREJO
  • "I love that Dr. Goodman does his job well and doesn't require any other unnecessary treatments. He's honest and easy to work with. He listens to you and your needs. Chiska, his secretary, is great as well, and easy to work with."
    AVALLE FAMILY
  • "I am a new patient of Dr. Goodman and I highly recommend him. He is very professional and I really appreciate him explaining all my questions and concerns. He was really great and the office is beautiful and clean. His staff is great too. Very friendly and helpful."
    JANETH M
  • "Nice place, Dr Goodman is funny and very personable, my wife is getting adjustments and feeling better with each visit"
    SCOTT NELSON
  • "I've been going to Goodman Chiropractic for many years. I feel that he keeps me going. I have chronic back pain and his adjustments help me function well. He knows what he is doing. He is a professional with a great sense of humor. He is cares about me and about my health. Chiska manages the office and runs it very efficiently. She has a great personality and a ready smile. I won't go anywhere else. I highly recommend him too anyone who is looking for Chiropractic services."
    MICKI DELALOZA