The Chiropractic Examination

You've decided to visit a chiropractor. Well, you're in good company. Millions of people receive chiropractic care each year -- movie stars, athletes, office workers, homemakers, children, laborers, students, retirees and more!

Although the experience will be slightly different for everyone (no two people, or two chiropractors are exactly alike), most first visits are similar. They consist of a consultation and a complete spinal examination. Most doctors will also provide some patient education for those who are new to chiropractic.

The Physical Examination

First, you will be asked to fill out a form or two, listing personal information and your health history. Then, the doctor will have a consultation with you, and give you a chiropractic examination.

The most common form of examination is called palpation. The doctor carefully feels, or "palpates" the entire spinal region. He or she may also use other methods such as X-ray, posture analysis or instrumentation to verify the findings. All of the examination techniques used by chiropractors are safe, painless and non-invasive.

Report of Findings

During this report, the doctor will tell you whether any subluxations were detected and how severe they are. You may receive a "listing," of subluxations, pinpointing exactly which vertebrae are out of alignment.

You and the doctor will discuss the health of your spine, and the doctor will outline the program of care you will need to correct the subluxations.

Don't forget: Chiropractors do not diagnose medical diseases or treat symptoms. Their job is to locate the cause of physical dis-ease -- the subluxation -- and correct it.

At first, you and your doctor will be concerned about correcting any severe subluxations, so frequent adjustments may be recommended.

Later, the frequency of adjustments will decrease and you will be placed on maintenance care. At that point, your chiropractor will perform periodic spinal checks to make sure your spine stays subluxation-free.

Patient Education Programs

Unlike many other doctors, chiropractors don't work on their patients, they work with their patients. Health care and maintenance becomes a joint project with both the doctor and the patient working for the same goal of correcting subluxations.

That's why most doctors of chiropractic offer some kind of information or education program for new patients. This might consist of reading material, videotapes, a workshop or orientation presentation, or health talk.