We will make every effort to schedule a timely appointment and keep that appointment. On your first visit to the office we will have some initial paperwork for you to fill out. These forms will usually include a questionnaire on your medical history. This will allow one of the Chiropractic Doctors to have a brief overview of your background, including, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications and nutrition.
The Doctor will use this information, furnished by you, to evaluate you before the actual exam. Once your paperwork is completed, the Chiropractic Doctor may ask more detailed questions before he starts the actual examination.
This is the time to let your chiropractor know why you visited the office in the first place. After this, you will have a physical examination similar to that of any medical physician. The doctor may perform some orthopedic and neurological tests concentrating on your current complaint.
The doctors at the NorthStar Chiropractic understand that the entire body is a fully integrated system and one part is not independent from the other. They would not do justice simply examining only the area of complaint. The doctors will also look at other areas that may be contributing to your complaint.
Once the exam is completed, the doctor will explain his findings to you and lay out a course of treatment. The doctor may prescribe some physical modalities similar to those used in a physical therapy office in order to speed the recovery and healing process. These may include ultrasound, interferential current (electrical therapy), ice, heat or rehabilitation exercises.
VISIT TIME
On your first visit, plan on some time filling out paperwork unless you printed it off this website and brought it in. Plan on spending about 60 minutes in the office on your first visit. Successive visits may last anywhere between 10-30 minutes.
THE ADJUSTMENT / MANIPULATION
Although the back is the primary focus of chiropractic, the manipulations can be applied to any muscle or joint in the body. After proper positioning, the chiropractor creates tension around the offending joint, then applies pressure to return it to its proper position. A popping sound is often heard and sometimes felt, following this maneuver. The noise is similar to the one you hear when cracking your knuckles. It results from the release of nitrogen gas built up, and is generally painless. After the adjustment, pain is relieved due to the proper function being restored to the joint. You should plan on being in the office for about 1 hour on your first visit. Follow-up treatments will usually last 10-30 minutes.
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