On your first visit we will answer the following questions:
- What's causing my problem?
- Can chiropractic care help me?
- How long will it take for me to be well?
- How much will it cost and does my insurance cover chiropractic care?
One of the most important aspects of the first visits is to make sure that you are in the right place. If it is determined that your particular problem is not something which we can help you with, a prompt referral will be made to the appropriate specialist.
You might wonder what to expect if this is your first visit to the Winchester Hospital Chiropractic Center. It's not uncommon to have some anxiety if you've never been treated by a chiropractor. But not to worry, it can be a pleasant experience.
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 Winchester Hospital Chiropractic Center 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 for extra time to fill out paperwork. Using the links above, you can print the ‘New Patient Paperwork’ ahead of time and bring the completed forms with you to your appointment to save time. Plan on spending about 60 minutes in the office on your first visit. Successive visits may last anywhere between 15-30 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.