How to Get the Most Out of Your Chiropractic Visit

You have an important role, as a patient, in ensuring that you get the most out of any visit to a health care provider.  The level of success of any treatment is dependent on many factors – some in the control of the doctor, others in the influence of the patient.

Your chiropractic physician is extensively trained in clinical examination and differential diagnosis which prepares them to focus on not only conditions of the spine, but your total overall health.

What you may not be aware of is that there are several things YOU can do to help facilitate your doctor of chiropractic in making the best diagnosis and treatment plan for you.  The more honest you can be with your doctor, the more accurate a picture they will have of your condition and therefore will be able to make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Be honest about your complaint and medical history. 

Because there is no single test that will diagnose every possible problem, communication with your chiropractor (or any other health care provider) is vital.  While it may seem redundant or tedious, the update forms and questions your provider and their staff ask, help guide the doctor towards the appropriate tests to include in the examination.

Your medical history and description of your symptoms are sometimes as revealing as your physical examination or imaging tests.  This is not the time to exaggerate your symptoms, but neither is it the time to minimize them.  If it hurts, say so.  If it doesn’t, report that as well.

Maybe you don’t have pain, but you feel weakness or stiffness that limits your activities.  Let the doctor know how your daily living is being affected.  What tasks do you have to limit or alter?  This information can be very revealing.  You don’t have to give your life story, but referring to major issues can help the doctor get a better impression of your condition and ultimately make the most appropriate diagnosis.

Be specific about your treatment goals and self-care. 

Are you simply wanting to get out of pain?  Are you looking to alleviate pain as well as prevent a reoccurrence in the future?  Are you willing to follow your doctor’s recommendations for self-care at home (i.e. exercises, limiting certain activities, using ice or heat, wearing orthopedic supports, etc.)?

A person who is willing to collaborate with the doctor and do some of the work on their own can often reduce the time they need treatment as well as improve the results!  If you are unable or unwilling to do home care that is suggested by your provider, let them know that.  There may be alternatives that would fit your desires better while still helping your condition.  Or the doctor may be able to alter in-office treatment plan to compensate.

If you have questions about your treatment, ask your doctor.  Patients who understand what to expect from their treatment are more likely to follow through and as a result get better outcomes.

Keep communication lines open.

Once you have a treatment plan that you feel you can follow, be honest with your doctor about any changes.  Maybe you planned to do exercises at home 3 times a week but your work schedule changed and you aren’t able to do this.

Are there changes in your condition?  Have you discovered something that seems to make it better or worse?  Are there other seemingly unrelated symptoms you are experiencing on a regular basis?  Have you remembered something that may have caused the problem?  Are you having any emotional issues?

It may be helpful to review a list of questions before your doctor’s appointment and make notes so you don’t forget something in the moment.  A few questions you may ask yourself are:

  • How would you describe your pain in one or two words? Examples include aching, throbbing, stabbing, tender or nagging.
  • When do you have pain? Note if it worsens at certain times of the day or after particular activities.
  • Do you experience symptoms other than pain on a regular basis? Note other symptoms such as stomach upset, fatigue, sleep problems or emotional issues.
  • When did your pain begin? Was the onset of your pain around another event in your life, such as a birth of a child, surgery or injury?
  • What are all the things you do to relieve your pain? Tell your doctor about everything you’ve tried: medicines, physical activity, relaxation, acupuncture, prayer, or any other ways.
  • How are you feeling emotionally? Tell your doctor if you are anxious, stressed or depressed.

It’s your health – your life.  Make the most of your chiropractic visit by using these helpful tips.  Working with your chiropractic physician will help you achieve the best results possible!

 

Some information for this article taken from : “Your Pain Management Plan – Doctor-Patient Communication” by The Arthritis Foundation