During your initial visit, you will be provided with a few registration and medical history forms by our office staff. Then the Dr Bonnie will typically ask further questions about your health history and about your current problem or condition, such as:
• If you are experiencing pain, where is it located and when did you first notice it? • Does the pain or discomfort seem to be the result of a recent injury or activity, or has it existed for some time? • Are there activities or circumstances that make it better? • Are there activities or circumstances that make it worse?
You may also be asked about any preexisting medical conditions or prior injuries, your family’s
medical history, and other treatments you have received from health care providers. Once completed, Dr Bonnie then will carry out a thorough chiropractic examination, with a special emphasis on the spine. In addition to general tests such as blood pressure, respiration, reflexes, and pulse, the examination may include certain tests to assess the range of motion of the injured or painful body part, muscle tone and strength, and neurological integrity. Additional diagnostic studies such as X-rays or laboratory tests may be performed or recommended.
The medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests all help to determine a specific diagnosis. Dr Bonnie will explain the diagnosed condition to you and determine if it is likely respond well to chiropractic care. If so, she will explain the proposed chiropractic treatment plan or other treatments to you and the anticipated length that the treatment should take. Both short- and long-term goals for your treatment will be discussed, and additional therapies may be recommended for future visits, such as:
• Application of heat or cold to affected areas. • Massage and stretching. • Modalities to speed healing of soft tissues and improve pain control, such as electrical stimulation and traction. • Rehabilitative and general exercise to improve muscle balance, strength, and coordination. • Lifestyle counseling about healthy eating and weight loss.
As your course of treatment continues, Dr Bonnie will evaluate your progress, to see how much your treatments are helping, and may adjust the recommended treatment regimen accordingly.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care and our office, click here. Resources: http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/what-expect-first-chiropractic-consultation http://www.ctchiro.com/FAQ.php http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiropractic-adjustment/MY01107/DSECTION=what%2Dyou%2Dcan%2Dexpect http://www.mychiro.com/chiropractic.htm http://www.pazdelchiropractic.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10