Welcome to Menner Chiropractic. Dr. David Menner and Dr. Alan Broering look forward to meeting you. If you’re not quite sure what to expect on your first visit, this guide will help you feel at ease during your first appointment.
When scheduling your initial consultation here are a few things we will go over with you:
- First, we will gather some personal information (for office use only) including:
Your Name
Birth Date
Phone Number
Address - Then, we’ll ask the following:
Where is the area of concern?
Have you had an X-Ray or MRI within the past 5 years, if so, when and where?
How did you hear about us?
Do you have your insurance card available with your ID # and Group #?
If so, we can get your insurance verified before your first visit this way you will be aware of the cost before your appointment with the doctor. - We have two options available for your new patient paperwork:
Fill it out online (New Patient Form) OR
Come in 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete the paperwork in our office
We will ask that you come in 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to finish filling out a few more office forms that will need to be signed prior to treatment. - During the initial consultation, your doctor will complete a thorough examination that typically includes:
Health History
Physical examination
Diagnostic studies (when indicated)
Diagnosis
A customized treatment plan
HEALTH HISTORY
Prior to your initial consultation, you may be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about your symptoms & condition. Questions may include:
When did your pain/condition start?
Where is the pain located?
Did the pain/condition immediately follow an injury or accident?
Does anything increase or decrease your pain?
What treatments have you already tried, and how successful were they?
You may also be asked to provide 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 doctor of chiropractic 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 with you any copies of previous tests (for example, 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 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 used by chiropractors include:
X-ray
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 allow your chiropractor to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help the doctor of chiropractic 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 health care professional, he or she will make the proper referral. Your treatment plan may also involve collaborative care with other health care providers, such as your primary care physician, a physical therapist, or a neurologist.
In many cases, such as those involving lower 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 the musculoskeletal problems associated with the condition.
TREATMENT PLAN
If you and your doctor of chiropractic agree that chiropractic will help, you will receive your first chiropractic adjustment. While patients are typically asked to lie on a specially designed table, 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 doctor of chiropractic 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 the chiropractic treatment may require numerous visits. Your doctor of chiropractic 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, as well as home exercises and/or stretches.
“WHEN WILL I FEEL BETTER?”
Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but it may take others two to three weeks before they achieve substantial progress. Many 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.
Eat well. Move well. Live well.
Credits:
Angela Kargus, Writer Nataliya Schetchikova, PhD, Editor
“What to expect at the first chiropractor consultation”
This patient information page is a public service of the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for a diagnosis by a specialist. For specific information concerning your health condition, consult your doctor of chiropractic. This page may be reproduced noncommercially by doctors of chiropractic and other healthcare professionals to educate patients. Any other reproduction is subject to ACA approval.
For more information on prevention and wellness, go to the Patient Information section on ACA’s Web site at www.acatoday.org or call 800-986-4636.