12 Dec Common Questions About First-Time Chiropractic Visits

Posted at 14:52h in Chiropractic by Sarah Da Silva

What to expect: Health history review and physical exam
Treatment: May start on first visit or after assessment
Cost: At MYo Lab in Calgary, first visit is $139 for chiropractic
Pain: Most patients feel little to no pain during adjustments
After-effects: Mild soreness in 66% of patients for 24-48 hours
Safety: Serious complications are extremely rare (1 in 5.85 million for neck adjustments)
Insurance: 87% of private policies cover chiropractic care

Quick Comparison: First Visit vs. Follow-Ups

Aspect	First Visit	Follow-Up Visits
Duration	60-90 minutes	15-30 minutes
Assessment	Comprehensive	Brief check-in
Treatment	May or may not occur	Always included

Remember to bring your medical records, wear comfortable clothes, and be ready to discuss your health history in detail. Most importantly, don’t be nervous – chiropractic care is generally safe and can provide significant relief for many conditions.

Your First Visit Assessment

Your first chiropractic visit is all about getting to know you and your body. Here’s what to expect:

Health History Review

Before any treatment, your chiropractor will dive into your health history. This isn’t just paperwork – it’s crucial for your care.

Why it matters:

Uncovers conditions that might affect treatment
Helps pinpoint causes of your current issues
Shapes a safe, effective care plan

"The more detailed you are about the affected area and your patient history, the better you can be treated." – Portland Wellness Care

Pro tip: List any illnesses or conditions in your family. This info can be gold for your chiropractor.

Physical Exam

Next up: a thorough physical exam. This isn’t your standard check-up – it’s all about your musculoskeletal system.

Here’s the rundown:

Exam Part	What Happens	Why It’s Key
General Tests	Blood pressure, pulse, breathing, reflexes	Checks overall health
Orthopedic Tests	How you move, muscle strength	Spots problem areas
Neurological Tests	Nerve function, muscle tone	Looks for nerve issues
Posture Analysis	Spine alignment, body symmetry	Finds imbalances

Your chiropractor will focus on your spine, posture, and movement. They’ll use their hands to feel for tight muscles, misalignments, or other problems.

Your Treatment Plan

After your initial assessment, your chiropractor will create a treatment plan just for you. Here’s what to expect:

First Day Treatment

At MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary, you might get your first treatment right after your assessment. Dr. Evan Schwindt and his team like to start helping you ASAP.

But heads up: not all chiropractors do this. Some want to study your case before jumping in. Here’s a quick look:

First Visit	What Happens
With Treatment	You get checked out and adjusted
Without Treatment	Just a thorough check-up

Creating Your Care Plan

Your chiropractor will cook up a plan based on what’s going on with you, what you want to achieve, and how you live. It’s not just about fixing pain – it’s about boosting your overall health and keeping problems at bay. We will build out a care plan specific to you based off of your complaints, your symptoms, your goals, and the objective findings from our examinations.

Your plan might include:

How often you need to come in
What kind of adjustments and therapies you’ll get
Exercises and stretches to do at home
Tips for healthier living

Don’t worry – your plan isn’t set in stone. As you get better, your chiropractor will tweak things to make sure you’re on the right track.

When to Expect Results

Everyone heals differently, but many people start feeling better pretty quickly:

60% of folks feel some relief after their first adjustment
30% feel better after two or three visits
Younger people (20s and early 30s) often bounce back faster

Dr. Brandon Steele, a chiropractor in private practice, says: "Your treatment plan will now be scientific versus a guess." This means they’ll keep a close eye on how you’re doing and adjust your plan if needed.

Just remember, healing takes time. For example, tendons heal at about 1% per day on average. Your chiropractor will let you know what to expect based on your specific situation.

To get the most out of your treatment:

Follow your chiropractor’s advice to a T
Do your homework (those at-home exercises)
Make the lifestyle changes they suggest
Stick with it and be patient

Safety and Common Questions

Nervous about your first chiropractic visit? Let’s tackle some common concerns.

Does it Hurt?

Good news: chiropractic adjustments usually don’t hurt. Most patients feel little to no pain. Here’s what to expect:

A controlled force on your joints
A cracking or popping sound (just gas leaving the joints)
Many patients feel immediate relief

Dr. William Lauretti, professor at Northeast College of Health Sciences, says: "We take the joint to its limited range, and we do a very quick push on that joint – that’s the high velocity aspect."

After-Treatment Effects

You might feel some mild effects after your adjustment:

Effect	How Many Patients?	How Long?
Mild aching or soreness	66%	24-48 hours
Temporary headaches	10%	24-48 hours
Fatigue	10%	A few hours to a day
Nausea or dizziness	Less than 5%	Usually brief

To help with discomfort:

Ice sore areas
Rest up
Drink water
Follow your chiropractor’s advice

Safety Facts

Chiropractic care is generally safe when done by a pro. At MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary, Dr. Evan Schwindt and his team put safety first.

Key points:

Serious problems are super rare
The risk of severe issues (like stroke) is about 1 in 5.85 million neck adjustments
Some conditions (like severe osteoporosis or high stroke risk) aren’t a good fit for chiropractic care

Always tell your chiropractor about your health history. It’s crucial for safe treatment.

Visit Schedule

How often you visit depends on your condition and treatment plan. Here’s a rough guide:

1. Starting out:

You might need several visits per week. At MYo Lab, your first visit includes a full check-up and, ideally, your initial treatment.

2. Getting better:

As you improve, you might drop to once a week or every other week.

3. Keeping it up:

Once you’re stable, you might only need monthly or bi-monthly check-ups.

Remember, healing takes time. Dr. Evan Schwindt at MYo Lab will create a plan just for you, based on your needs and progress.

"Chiropractic adjustments offer little to no pain during a procedure." – Geaux Chiropractic Team

How to Prepare

Ready for your first chiropractic visit? Here’s how to make it count:

Papers to Bring

Grab these key documents:

Document	Purpose
Insurance card	If you have insurance
Medical records	Gives the full health picture
Medication list	Avoids potential issues
Recent X-rays or MRIs	If they’re related to why you’re there

Make a list of your symptoms too. Include when the pain kicked in, what helps or hurts, and any treatments you’ve already tried. This info is gold for your chiropractor.

What to Wear

Keep it comfy:

Loose clothes (think yoga pants or athletic shorts)
T-shirt or tank top

"Loose clothing is a must for your chiropractic visit." – Common Wisdom

Ditch the jewelry and bring a small bag for your stuff.

Time Needed

First visits take longer. At MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary:

Appointment	Time	Cost
Chiropractic Initial	60 min	$139

Your first visit covers:

Health history deep dive
Physical exam
Treatment plan chat

Show up 10-15 minutes early for paperwork. This visit is all about info gathering. You might not get adjusted right away – it depends on your chiropractor and what you need.

Insurance Details

Got insurance? Great! Most plans cover some chiropractic care, but the details matter:

87% of private insurance policies include chiropractic care.
Coverage can be anywhere from 50% to 100% of costs.
Many plans cover acute conditions, but might not cover maintenance or wellness treatments.

Here’s a pro tip: Call your insurance provider before your first visit. Ask if they cover chiropractic care and if MYo Lab is an approved provider. It’ll save you headaches later.

Payment Options

No insurance? Don’t sweat it. Many chiropractors, including MYo Lab, offer ways to make payment easier:

1. Direct Payment

Sometimes, paying out-of-pocket can actually be cheaper than using insurance. We accept all major credit cards.

2. Payment Plans

Need to spread out the cost? Ask about payment plans.

3. Package Deals

Some clinics offer discounts if you buy multiple sessions. These can range from $800 to $1000+ per plan.

"We want to make care possible for anyone committed to getting their spine healthy." – Long Chiropractic Center

Bottom line? Don’t let money worries keep you from getting the care you need. There’s usually a way to make it work.

Finding the Right Chiropractor

Picking a chiropractor isn’t something to take lightly. It’s about your health, after all. Let’s dive into what you need to know.

Required Training

Chiropractors don’t just wake up one day and start cracking backs. They go through years of schooling and have to jump through some serious hoops:

Requirement	Details
Education	6-8 years (4 years undergrad + 3-5 years chiropractic school)
Degree	Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Accreditation	Program must be Council on Chiropractic Education approved
Licensure	Must pass federal and provincial exam

Dr. Kelly Andrews, a chiropractor in the trenches, puts it bluntly: "Don’t just pick any old chiropractor off the street. Do your homework."

Want to make sure your chiropractor isn’t just some guy in a white coat? Here’s what to do:

Check their school creds
Make sure they’re licensed in your state
Look for any red flags on your provinces’ chiropractic board website

Types of Treatment

Chiropractors aren’t one-trick ponies. They’ve got a whole toolbox of techniques. Take Dr. Evan Schwindt at MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary. He offers:

Chiropractic adjustments (of course)
Physiotherapy
Massage therapy
Concussion management
Custom orthotics
Acupuncture/Dry Needling
Shockwave therapy
Low-Level Laser Therapy

When you’re shopping for a chiropractor, ask them point-blank: "Have you dealt with my issue before? What’s your game plan?"

Talking to Your Chiropractor

Don’t clam up when you’re in the chiropractor’s office. Speak up! Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck:

1. Come prepared

Write down your questions. A good chiropractor won’t roll their eyes at your list – they’ll welcome it.

2. Spill the beans about your health

Your chiropractor needs to know:

What meds you’re taking
Old injuries that might come back to haunt you
Chronic conditions
Any recent health hiccups

3. Be clear about what you want

Tell them straight up: "This is what I’m hoping to achieve." It helps them tailor your treatment.

4. Ask about homework

Many chiropractors, like the folks at MYo Lab, will give you exercises and tips to do at home. It’s not just about what happens in the office.

5. Don’t suffer in silence

If something feels off or you’re confused about a treatment, say so. Your comfort matters.

ChiroHealthUSA puts it this way: "Questions aren’t just okay – they’re GOOD. They show you’re serious about getting better."

Next Steps

You’ve got the lowdown on first-time chiropractic visits. Now, let’s get you ready for that appointment.

Book Smart

When you call MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary:

Ask about last-minute openings. You might get in faster.
Plan to show up 15 minutes early. There’s always more paperwork.

Dress Right

Wear comfy, loose clothes. Think yoga pants or gym shorts with a t-shirt. You’ll need to move around during the exam.

Talk It Out

Dr. Evan Schwindt at MYo Lab wants to hear it all. Jot down:

When your pain kicked in
What makes it better (or worse)
Any recent oopsies or accidents

The folks at In Home Mobile Chiropractic put it best: "Your chiropractor can’t read minds. If you don’t say it, they can’t fix it."

After Your Visit

Once you’re done:

Book your next visits
Take it easy and hydrate
Don’t freak out if you’re a bit sore for a day or two

Healing’s a process. Dr. Evan Schwindt and the MYo Lab crew will map out a plan just for you.

FAQs

Is it normal to have pain after seeing a chiropractor?

Yes, it’s normal to feel some discomfort after your first chiropractic visit. Here’s the scoop:

About 66% of patients experience mild soreness or aching for 24-48 hours. Headaches and fatigue can also pop up in about 10% of patients, usually lasting a day or less.

Dr. Evan Schwindt at MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary puts it this way:

"Post-treatment soreness is actually a good sign. It means your body is responding to the adjustment and starting to heal."

Think of it like this: your body’s adjusting to its new alignment. It’s similar to how you might feel a bit sore after a good workout.

But here’s the thing: severe side effects are SUPER rare. We’re talking 0.05 to 1.46 per 10,000,000 manipulations. That’s less likely than getting struck by lightning!

If you’re feeling a bit tender after your visit, try these quick fixes:

Ice the sore spots
Drink plenty of water
Let your chiropractor know if anything feels off

Most reactions are no big deal and vanish within a day or two. But if you’re still hurting after 48 hours, give Dr. Schwindt or his team at MYo Lab a shout. They’re there to help.

Remember: a little soreness is normal, but your comfort is key. Don’t be shy about speaking up if something doesn’t feel right.

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chiropractic