What
to expect on your first visit
You
can expect the us to complete a thorough chiropractic consultation which includes:
Patient
history
Chiropractic
physical examination
Diagnostic
studies (when indicated)
Diagnosis
Chiropractic
treatment plan
Patient
history
In preparation for your consultation with the chiropractor,
you will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about
your symptoms and condition. Types of questions the chiropractor might ask include:
- When
and how did the pain start?
- Where
is it located?
- Is
it a result of an injury?
- What
makes it better?
- What
makes it worse?
You
will also usually be asked to provide the chiropractor with information on family
medical history, any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous
and current health providers and treatments.
Chiropractic
physical examination
Once the history has been completed, your chiropractor
will perform a thorough chiropractic examination. In addition to general tests
such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and reflexes, the chiropractic examination
will include specific orthopedic and neurological tests to assess:
- Range
of motion of the affected part
- Muscle
tone
- Muscle
strength
- Neurological
integrity
Based
on the above chiropractic examination procedures, further chiropractic tests may
be necessary to arrive at the assessment or diagnosis of the affected area (such
as moving your leg in a specified manner, posture analysis, or the chiropractor
manipulating your arm or leg).
Diagnostic
studies
Diagnostic studies are helpful for chiropractors in revealing
pathologies and identifying structural abnormalities that more accurately diagnose
a condition. They may or may not be deemed necessary by the chiropractor based
upon the results of the history and chiropractic examination.
The
most common diagnostic studies used by chiropractors include:
- X-ray
- MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan
- Laboratory
tests
Many
chiropractic offices can do basic x-rays, but an MRI scan and more extensive images
may be referred to an outside center for which an appointment is needed.
Diagnosis
The
culmination of the history, examination and diagnostic studies is a specific diagnosis.
Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor will determine if the condition
will respond to chiropractic care.
The
chiropractor will explain:
- The
diagnosed condition
- The
chiropractic treatment plan (or other treatments)
- The
anticipated length of chiropractic care
We
would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
The most efficient
way to contact our Practice is to ring on 02 9979 7700.
