Visiting a chiropractic clinic is similar to visiting any other healthcare institute, but it does offer some unique elements. You’ll find the intake procedures and office setting to be quite familiar, but you may also notice the distinctive appearance of the treatment table.

These chiropractic treatment tables are often quite elaborate in order to allow specific movement and positioning during spinal adjustment and are designed to assist the chiropractic treatment. A typical visit to a chiropractic clinic involves the initial intake, physical exam, therapy or treatment and a follow-up plan.

The Initial Intake

The initial chiropractic consultation is similar to a standard medical intake as you’ll likely have to complete a health questionnaire and answer several questions regarding your medical history. Typically, the chiropractor will ask you to indicate the position of discomfort by marking the areas on a human body drawing.

The Physical Exam

The chiropractor is likely to start your treatment with a basic physical exam and follow up with an exam focusing on the spine. Particular attention will be given to your areas of complaint, but the chiropractor will most likely examine the whole spine. Even if you have a lower back pain complaint, the chiropractor will perform a neck exam because the adaptations that are a result of a subluxation or injury in a particular area can cause secondary irritations someplace else in the spine.

The physical exam includes a number of assessments such as motion tests, reflex testing, palpation, muscle strength comparison, and orthopedic and neurological tests focusing on the main complaint.

The Treatment Plan

After the assessments, your chiropractor will provide you with a treatment plan that depends on the extent of your irritation or injury, your general health, your spine’s condition that is affected by previous injuries, and your age.

However, the goals of your treatment plan result from your discussion with the chiropractor. Many people look for simple relief of discomfort or pain, while others want to start a regimen of care that is meant to improve their overall health. Your chiropractor will tell you about your condition and recommend you a care approach during the initial consultations, so it’s important to ask questions since trust and mutual understanding are vital in a doctor-patient relationship.

A Typical Local Chiropractic Treatment

Adjustments are typically the main part of your chiropractic treatment. A chiropractic adjustment is a manipulation directed at specific joints by using controlled force, direction, leverage, amplitude, and velocity. In short, chiropractic adjustments are therapeutic manipulations and more than just opening up a joint.

Your local Kelowna chiropractor will most likely make the adjustments to your spine, but your other joints such as the ankle, knee, wrist, shoulder and elbow may also require such adjustments to restore the structural alignment and improve the joint function.

If a patient is unable to tolerate manual adjustments, chiropractors can also use mild or non-force techniques.

Chiropractic adjustments are also accompanied by non-manual therapies including the application of ice or heat, orthotic support for your shoes, electrical simulation, rehabilitative exercise, weight loss, and counseling about diet, nutritional supplements and other lifestyle factors.