If you've never visited a chiropractor before, you may not be sure what to expect during your first appointment. But don't worry – chiropractic care can be a game-changer when it comes to your overall health and wellness. So get ready to realign your body and feel amazing!
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to wellness that focuses on the relationship between the nervous system, the spine, and the body. Through spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore proper spinal alignment, which can help to improve nervous system function and promote overall health.
What to expect on your first appointment
During your first appointment, our chiropractor will begin by reviewing your completed intake form that includes information about your medical history, lifestyle habits, and any pain or discomfort you're experiencing. Next, our chiropractor will perform a thorough health history, physical examination and/or may refer for x-rays. Findings from the patient’s history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests help the chiropractor to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor can determine if the condition will respond to chiropractic care. At the end of the patient's first visit or following visit, the chiropractor will explain the patient's diagnoses conditions, chiropractic care plan and the estimated length of care.
Our chiropractor may begin care during the first visit by performing a series of spinal adjustments and physical therapy to help ease pain and muscle spasms. We call this Phase 1: Aimed to relieve pain, muscle spasms and prepare the body for adjustments.
These adjustments are typically gentle and painless, but you may feel a slight popping or cracking sensation as your joints move into place. Visits at the start of your care plan are more gentle in order to prepare the body to receive and hold future adjustments.
As you progress into your care plan, you can expect pain symptoms to resolve and begin to restore alignment. Phase 2: Aimed to establish alignment and correct any habits that could cause a flare-ups.
During the final step in care, Phase 3: Aimed to maintain progress. You can expect less frequent visits and a goal towards maintaining the progress you have made by reaching maximum medical benefit and entering a Wellness Plan.
Wellness Plans are designed to help maintain alignment and give more freedom to plan your visits when you feel you need them the most.
First appointments last about 30 minutes. After the initial consultation, follow-up chiropractic appointments tend to be much shorter—15 to 20 minutes.
Q & A : What to expect during your first chiropractic appointment
As a new patient, you may have some common questions about what to expect during your first chiropractic appointment. These questions may include:
Do you accept health insurance plans?
Yes, we accept Triple SSS, Humana, MCS, and Medicare. In order to use your health insurance plan for chiropractic care, please call our office so we can verify your coverage before booking your first appointment (787) 417-7794. Patients using health insurance plans must present a medical necessity for chiropractic care and commit to the care plan designed by our chiropractor. Our chiropractor will perform a physical examination and review your health history to determine a medical necessity for chiropractic care.
Do you offer wellness/maintenance chiropractic?
Yes, Wellness/Maintenance chiropractic is an option if you do not present a medical necessity to use health insurance, if you do not have health insurance, if you do not want to commit to a care plan, or if you are looking for a flexible and affordable option for chiropractic care to maintain your health and wellness. We have packages available to help patients achieve results and pain relief.
Will I get adjusted on the first visit?
After our chiropractor reviews your intake form and performs physical examinations, he will be able to determine if it is beneficial to begin care on the first visit or refer for x-rays.
How will chiropractic adjustments feel? Are there any risks involved?
Chiropractic adjustments are generally considered safe and non-invasive. While everyone's experience is different, most patients report feeling some degree of relief or increased mobility after an adjustment. During the adjustment, you may hear popping or cracking sounds, which is completely normal and usually painless. Some patients may feel mild soreness or discomfort after the adjustment, but this typically goes away within a few hours or days. As with any medical treatment, there are some risks associated with chiropractic care, but these are rare and usually mild. Your chiropractor will discuss any potential risks with you before beginning treatment, and will work with you to minimize any discomfort or side effects.
What types of conditions can chiropractic care help with?
One of the key benefits of chiropractic care is pain relief. If you're experiencing chronic pain or discomfort, our chiropractor can help to identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to address them. Chiropractic care can also be helpful for improving posture, which can have a wide range of health benefits. Poor posture can lead to muscle tension, headaches, and even digestive problems, so correcting it can help you feel better in a variety of ways. But chiropractic care isn't just about pain relief and posture improvement. It's also about promoting overall wellness and helping your body function at its best.
How many appointments will I need?
To get the most out of your chiropractic care, it's important to follow your chiropractor's recommendations for ongoing treatment. Depending on your specific needs, you may need to visit your chiropractor regularly for adjustments, exercises, and other treatments.
Do you offer other services?
Yes, we offer therapeutic massage, assisted stretching, health supplements, and various products in our office to help you reach your wellness goals and experience pain relief.
Do you offer free parking?
Yes, we offer 2 Hour free parking. Park in the Paseo Caribe Parking deck and bring your parking ticket to our office during your appointments.
Do you speak Spanish?
Si, Ofrecemos servicios en español o inglés. Los nuevos pacientes pueden obtener más información sobre el Dr. Tomey, contactarnos y reservar su cita en Aviva Family Chiropractic a través de nuestro sitio web o llamándonos hoy al (787) 417-7794.
With consistent care and a commitment to healthy living, chiropractic care can be a powerful tool for improving your overall health and wellness. So if you're ready to realign your body and feel amazing, schedule your first chiropractic appointment today!
Aviva Family Chiropractic in San Juan, Puerto Rico is happy to help you discover the benefits of Chiropractic Care, Massage, and Assisted stretching.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for health advice from a qualified physician. Please consult your doctor for recommendations in regards to your physical condition.