What to Expect on Your First Chiropractic Visit

You’ve decided to visit a doctor of chiropractic, but you’re not quite sure what to expect. Like other healthcare practitioners, chiropractors will begin by trying to gather as much information as possible about your condition in order to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan

Following is more detail on what to expect and the type of information you may be asked to share with your chiropractor. To start, your first visit will typically include:

• Patient history.
• Physical examination.
• Diagnostic studies (when indicated).
• Diagnosis.
• Chiropractic treatment plan.

Patient History

Prior to your initial consultation, you will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about your symptoms and condition. Questions may include:

• When did your pain/condition start?
• Where is the pain located?
• Did your pain/condition immediately follow an injury or accident?
• Does anything improve or worsen the pain?
• What treatments have you already tried, and how successful were they?

You may also be asked to provide information on family medical history, any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous and current health providers and treatments. To properly diagnose your problem and design a treatment program, your chiropractor needs to know about any of the following:

• Bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
• Implants like pacemakers, artificial joints, cosmetic implants, etc.
• Circulatory problems.
• Dizziness or blurred vision.
• Heart conditions such as hypertension.
• Nausea.
• Injuries, such as bone fractures, muscle sprains/strains, or disc injuries.
• Joint disorders such as arthritis.
• Any current health condition for which you are receiving care from another health care practitioner.

When applicable, bring any copies of previous tests including MRI or X-ray reports, lab results, and a list of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, teas, and homeopathic and/or naturopathic substances.

Chiropractic Physical Examination

The next step is a thorough physical examination your chiropractor will perform to evaluate your condition and develop a working diagnosis. In addition to general physical examination procedures such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature, the examination will include specific orthopedic and neurological tests to assess:

• Range of motion of the affected area that is observed while you walk, turn, bend, or lift.
• Muscle tone.
• Muscle strength.
• Neurological integrity.
• Posture.

Diagnostic Studies

Diagnostic studies help diagnose conditions more accurately. The most common ones used by chiropractors include:

• X-ray.
• Diagnostic ultrasound.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT, or bone scan.
•  Laboratory tests.

Many chiropractic offices have their own X-ray equipment, but an MRI scan and more extensive tests may be referred to an outside center.

Diagnosis

The combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies will enable your chiropractor to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help the doctor to determine whether your condition or pain may respond to chiropractic care. The chiropractor will explain:

• The diagnosed condition.
• The chiropractic treatment plan (or other recommended treatments).
• The anticipated length of care.

If your chiropractor determines that your condition would be more appropriately treated by another healthcare professional, he or she will make the proper referral. Your treatment plan may also involve collaborative care with other healthcare providers, such as your primary care physician, a physical therapist or a neurologist. In many cases, such as those involving low back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary treatment method. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving associated musculoskeletal pain.

Treatment

If you and your doctor of chiropractic agree that chiropractic will help, you may as a part of your treatment plan receive your first chiropractic adjustment. Typically, patients are asked to lie on a specially designed table and the chiropractor most often uses his or her hands to manipulate the joints of the body (particularly the spine) to reduce pain and restore or enhance joint function. Your chiropractor will adapt the treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Other treatments, including therapeutic ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, ice and heat, traction, soft-tissue massage, and rehabilitative exercises, may also be used.

The extent and duration of the patient’s problems coupled with the hands-on nature of chiropractic treatment may require numerous visits. Your doctor should tell you how long you can expect the treatment to last.

You may also receive instructions on certain activities or procedures to conduct at home. This may include ice or heat application, avoidance of certain activities or positions, or home exercises and/or stretches.

Choose a chiropractor you are comfortable with, who addresses your health concerns, and who uses sound principles of modern health.

When Will I Feel Better?

Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but it may take others longer before they achieve substantial progress. Several factors can affect the healing process. Are you suffering from a chronic problem or pain? Do you smoke? Are you following the recommended treatment plan? Usually, the more fully patients carry out the doctor’s recommendations, the better the results.

Reviewed by the ACA Editorial Advisory Board. The information in this post is for educational purposes. It is not a replacement for treatment or consultation with a healthcare professional. If you have specific questions, contact your doctor of chiropractic.  To find a doctor of chiropractic near you, visit tnchiro.com.

Source: What to Expect on Your First Chiropractic Visit.  ACA Hands Down Better  https://handsdownbetter.org/what-to-expect-on-your-first-chiropractic-visit/ accessed 10/16/25