What happens at a chiropractor?

Will you soon be visiting a chiropractic clinic to receive treatment for muscle or joint pain? If so, you may be wondering “What happens at a chiropractor?” This is a common question, with many people unsure just what to expect during their session. Read on to find out more about what will happen when visiting chiropractic clinics in Doncaster. 

What is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a trained health professional who uses non-surgical treatments to help relieve pain and discomfort in areas of the body such as the back, neck, or shoulder. Often, we use spinal manipulations, which involves us using our hands to apply pressure force to the bones, muscles, and joints of the spine and neck. We may also use short and sharp thrusting movements, move the joints into different positions, and pull or stretch your muscles in different directions. 

What to expect during your first chiropractic session

For many people, the uncertainty of what happens at a chiropractor makes them feel nervous or anxious. This is natural, however, you can rest assured that there’s nothing to worry about. Chiropractic treatment is safe and effective for a wide range of conditions. 

When you visit a chiropractor for the first time, we’ll carry out an in-depth assessment of your health. We’ll ask you for various information not just about your current condition but also your medical history and overall health. This helps us to form an overall picture of your health, allowing us to determine if chiropractic treatment is suitable for you. In some cases, we may decide that we can’t help or that other treatments would be better for your condition. In this situation, we will refer you to your GP or another health care practitioner. 

Once we have assessed your condition and your overall health, we will usually perform a physical examination. If you’re asked to take off some of your clothes, we’ll provide you with a gown

We will perform various tests, including a full assessment of your posture and your range of movement. We may also measure your blood pressure or examine your abdomen to try and identify a reason for your pain or discomfort. 

Occasionally, our chiropractors in Doncaster require patients to undergo certain other tests, including X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. Blood tests are sometimes necessary too. Your chiropractor will always explain why you need these tests and how and when you’ll undergo them. 

Developing a care plan

Once we have carried out all the relevant tests, we will explain to you what the problem is and if the condition can be helped with chiropractic treatment. We’ll develop a care plan setting out treatment options, what we hope to achieve, and the costs of this care. We may also recommend various exercises and suggest lifestyle changes you can make at home to improve your condition and speed up your recovery. 

A chiropractor will establish specific goals in your care plan. These may be short term goals, for example, reducing pain and restoring normal joint function, as well as long term goals like restoring independence or tolerating normal daily activities. To reach the goals set out in the plan, we’ll recommend a specific number of sessions.

Beginning chiropractic treatment 

Starting chiropractic treatment is the first step to alleviating or even eliminating the pain you’re experiencing altogether. The central element of chiropractic care is usually the manipulation of specific joints of the body. These manipulations are also known as “adjustments”. Whilst they are usually carried out to the spine, they may also be made to joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and knee. They are carried out with the aim of restoring alignment or improving the function of the joints. During manipulation, you may hear popping or cracking sounds which can be quite disconcerting. However, it’s important to recognise that they are harmless and simply a result of gas bubbles bursting in the joint fluid as the pressure is released.

Is chiropractic treatment painful?

Many people are concerned that chiropractic treatment will be painful. However, this is rarely the case. Whilst some people do experience some mild discomfort, most feel relief after their treatments. If you do find chiropractic adjustments painful, make sure you tell your chiropractor right away. To ensure that your treatment is carried out safely, make sure you choose a trained and registered chiropractor. Some side effects do sometimes occur after treatment. These include aches and pains, stiffness, and tiredness. They are usually mild and generally pass within a few days. If you’re not sure if chiropractic care is suitable for you, talk to your GP. They will be able to offer expert medical advice. 

Experienced chiropractors in Doncaster

Whether you’re experiencing pain in your neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, leg, or lower back or you’re suffering from debilitating headaches, there’s a good chance that chiropractic treatment can help. At Thorne Road Chiropractic Clinic, we have a wealth of experience in treating a wide range of conditions using chiropractic techniques. We’ve helped hundreds of people to enjoy their lives once again free from pain. We’re proud to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). By law, all chiropractors are required to be registered with the GCC – this is something to keep in mind when searching for chiropractic clinics in Doncaster. 

Contact us 

Now you know what happens at a chiropractor, you may be ready to book your first session. If so, contact Thorne Road Chiropractic Clinic. We have some of the best chiropractors in Doncaster working for us, with experience in treating various conditions, from sports injuries to migraines. Call us on 01302 969 501 or send us a message via the website to get in touch