First Visit
In the first visit, we perform the history, examination and computerized spinal scans. If X-rays are required to better diagnose your condition, we will refer you to an X-ray facility. Typically, for uncomplicated, less severe problems we generally don’t need X-rays. We discuss what your goals are: pain relief, improving spinal health and mobility, or maximizing your health. Once I have all this information, I have a much better idea if I can help you.
Our focus in this practice is to help you reach your health goals as quickly and safely as possible. We’re not going to make you come for unnecessary visits. If I don’t think I can help you, I’ll let you know and I’ll do my best to find someone who can. Remember, the longer a problem remains untreated, the more your body gets used to it as normal, and unfortunately, becomes more difficult to correct.
If X-rays aren’t required, we review your case with you, discuss treatment options and usually begin treatment on the first visit.
The first visit generally lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
Regular Treatment/Adjustment Visits
These visits are shorter and typically last 15 minutes. You won’t feel rushed. Our focus in these visits is restoring normal motion and function. We do this with either manual adjustments – where you often feel a ‘pop,’ low force instrument adjusting, called an Activator, or we use a very gentle technique like Network Spinal Analysis. We need to find what works best for you and what you’re most comfortable with. For my out-of-province patients who often grow up with chiropractic care and manual adjustments, I’m more than happy to continue with manual adjustments. For those nervous about manual adjustments, we focus on low-force techniques and still get very good results. The main thing is that you’re comfortable with the adjustments and are getting the results we would expect to see.
Progress
It’s difficult to put a number on how much improvement a patient should see by a certain point. Generally, I like to see about 50% improvement in someone’s condition by about the 6th visit. Please bear in mind, this can vary greatly and depends on a lot of factors: age, general health, length of time they’ve had the problem, severity, willingness to do the corrective exercises, etc. Usually patients are coming once to twice per week in the beginning few weeks.
If someone’s goal is to improve spinal health and general well-being, we do the re-assessment computer scan which measures and documents improvement, on the 12th visit. By this visit, we hope to see between 50 and 80% overall improvement.
You Decide
It’s always your choice how long you want to benefit from chiropractic care. Remember, we work to achieve your health goals as quickly as possible. If your goals are relief of symptoms, we stop treatment when your symptoms are relieved. If your goal is to improve and maintain optimal spinal health, or prevent spinal arthritis from progressing, then we see you periodically. Some people come monthly, some come every three months, some come when they’re in pain. It’s always your choice.