Many people feel a lot of stress when it comes to any kind of medical appointment, and this can be amplified for a new experienced. If you’ve been to an orthopedic doctor but not a chiropractor, you may wonder how similar or different the chiropractor may be to that experience. If you search the internet, you may find accounts that range from wonderful to awful and it may be hard to know who to believe. We want you to come to your first appointment comfortable and ready to feel healthier, so we’ve compiled a guide to help you know what to expect.

Consult

Before you undergo any adjustments or procedures, a chiropractor will sit down with you to discuss your concerns and goals. If you have come in to address pain, they’ll want to understand that pain- where is it? How long has it been happening? Where is it on a scale of 1-10? Are there other symptoms? These discussions can help your chiropractor understand what may be going on and the best course of action. If you are seeking general care, you’ll want to discuss your goals for your health and how those can be achieved. This conversation will serve as a roadmap for anything else you do moving forward.

Adjustment

Your first visit will likely involve an adjustment. This is a quick and painless process most of the time. You will lie on a table and the chiropractor can push, pull, or twist sections of your body to identify and repair any misalignments in your spine. There may be some “popping” or “cracking” sounds as the adjustment is performed, but this is expected and nothing to worry about. For some, an adjustment brings instant relief, while for others it may take multiple sessions to begin to feel the effects.

Adjustments may be holistic or focused on a specific area like the back, neck, or shoulders, depending on your reasons for seeking care. Each type of adjustment will be slightly different and tailored to your needs and body.

Will It Hurt?

Many people worry that their first visit to the chiropractor will be painful. In most cases, adjustments are not painful to undergo, though they may be awkward or uncomfortable if you are not used to your body being manipulated in that way. Some people report slight soreness following an adjustment, but this is common and will resolve itself.

If you come to the chiropractor with back pain or other pain, there is a chance that the adjustments performed may hurt or intensify the pain if the area is sensitive. This will be brief and you will typically feel relief quickly.

For most people, the pain associated with an adjustment is far less than the pain of a back or neck injury, or the pain of not treating a spinal misalignment.

What Can Chiropractors Treat?

You may be nervous about if a chiropractor is even the right person for you to see to address your problems. Pain in the back or neck is commonly associated with chiropractic care and are certainly good reasons to visit, but you don’t have to wait until you are in pain to go. Sore muscles, aching joints, and headaches can also be common reasons to visit the chiropractor.

However, chiropractors can help with a number of less obvious issues. Poor digestion, trouble sleeping, and general health concerns can also be addressed by the chiropractor. The misalignments in your spine that are addressed can affect your central nervous system and therefore impact your overall health. If you have questions about whether chiropractic care may help a certain concern, don’t hesitate to ask your provider.

Chiropractic Care at AICA Orthopedics

When you choose to seek care at AICA Orthopedics, you are choosing not just a chiropractor but our multidisciplinary team of experts. Our experience and techniques allow us to heal patients and work towards desired outcomes. Chiropractors at our practice work alongside physical therapists, pain management specialists, and orthopedic doctors to ensure your care is holistic and comprehensive.

The Atlanta chiropractors are experts in their field and are used to working with new patients. Contact us for a consultation today and our team will walk you through the process to ensure you are comfortable with all the steps in your care.