WHAT TO EXPECT

What to Expect on Your First Visit to the Chiropractor

The first step is scheduling your initial visit.  Sometimes we can accommodate a same day appointment, but it is best to contact us  a couple of days ahead of time to set up your appointment.  Please do your best to complete your forms prior to your appointment,  we can either email them to you or they are also available under our forms section of the website. If you need to complete the forms in the clinic, please arrive 15 minutes early to provide yourself with ample time prior to your appointment.  Your first appointment will take approximately 1 hour.

On your first visit, Dr. Patterson will, review your health history, learn important information about any surgeries, major illnesses or events in your past that could contribute to your current health problems and determine your overall health status.

The next step is to conduct a thorough neurological, orthopedic, and chiropractic examination,  and perform essential diagnostic physical tests, such as reflexes and muscle strength and an examination of your posture and range of motion. (Please note, depending on the nature of your complaint, you may be required to where a gown, should you find it more comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, please bring these items to your initial visit.)

If time permits a computerized gait analysis may also be performed to determine if any biomechanical changes in the foundation of your body, your feet, are putting stress higher up (knees, pelvis, back even your neck) and could be contributing to your problems.

This information allows your chiropractor to form a diagnosis and a proposed plan of management for you.

If you have received chiropractic care in the past or if your complaint is simple in nature and can be addressed on the initial visit, there are times when Dr. Patterson will  review your findings and provide a diagnosis and plan of management and some form of treatment on your initial visit.  If your problems are more complex in nature or involve multiple regions of the body or require time to obtain new or previous imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT) results, then your care will start on your second visit.