WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST VISIT TO OPTIM CHIROPRACTIC
Fear of the unknown oftentimes prevents us from starting on a new journey or experience that is unfamiliar. If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before the fear of what happens in that office may be the only thing standing between you and pain relief without the use of medications or surgeries. We’ll break down the entire visit from start to finish so you’ll know what to expect when you visit Optim Chiropractic for the first time.
SOME BRIEF PAPERWORK
Everyone hates paperwork, but we try to keep it as simple as possible by allowing you to fill it out electronically at a time that’s convenient for you. After making your first appointment you’ll receive an email asking you to log in to your account and provide some basic health background information, including the reason for your first visit. Once we know the body part(s) you need us to focus on we’ll email a second link that allows you to tell us all about the specifics of the areas you need to be treated. Finally, about two hours prior to your visit on the day of your appointment you’ll get a link for a quick health screening.
If you forget, didn’t see the email, or just didn’t get a chance to fill the paperwork out prior to your visit you can fill it out when you get to the office. Our electronic health record system allows you to fill out the health history forms using your personal smartphone or tablet, or you can borrow ours!
HISTORY AND EXAMINATION
Once the paperwork is complete, we’ll take you back to a private exam room where the doctor will review your health history and the reason for your visit to ensure you are a good fit for chiropractic treatments. We want to get to know our patients so we’re going to spend some time getting some baseline measurements on where your health and movement limitations are currently. That will give us something to measure progress against in the future. We’ll check several key indicators including vital signs, range of motion, reflexes, strength, and sensation. After that, we’ll run through some orthopedic tests to help rule in or out various diagnoses.
X-RAYS AND OTHER IMAGING
There are several options when it comes to imaging. X-rays are used most commonly, but we also use MRI and CT scans when necessary. Most of the time x-rays or other imaging isn’t necessary on the first visit. Our policy is to only obtain imaging if your specific condition requires it in order for us to either rule out more serious conditions or to assist us in developing the most effective treatment plan for you. We’ve partnered with a couple of local imaging centers so you have options if we need to get imaging done for you.
SAME DAY TREATMENT
After we’ve verified it is safe to do so, we’ll deliver your first treatment. Treatments generally consist of gentle manipulation of your spinal joints, soft tissue therapies, physical therapies, or one of the many modalities we use on a case-by-case basis.
You don’t prefer the manual adjustments? We’ve got you covered. We have several tools to help bring you into alignment, like our impulse adjuster which is a handheld tool that delivers a gentle thrust that is faster than the body’s tendency to tighten up and resist the adjustment.
HOME INSTRUCTIONS
If you want to optimize your recovery or maintain an already healthy body, some at-home work will be required. We’ll prescribe some simple exercises or stretches and show you how to do them correctly.
SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT VISIT
Often times injuries, especially those of a chronic nature, will need more than one treatment to get the job done. We’ll provide you with a treatment plan and work with you to set up your next appointment at a date and time that is convenient.
Don’t let fear of the unknown at the chiropractic office stop you from your journey to a pain-free lifestyle. Find out how the staff at Optim Chiropractic can help you achieve optimal performance without the use of surgeries or prescription medications. Call us at 813-475-4150 to schedule your first appointment or for a free consultation.
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