It’s normal to have questions when visiting a new medical professional, especially if they work in a field that you know little about.
And when it comes to chiropractic care, many people have misconceptions about what this treatment involves and who it can help.
Nervous About Visiting A Chiropractor For The First Time? Here’s What To Expect:
Chiropractic care is not only for back and neck pain, and it involves much more than just spinal manipulation and adjustments.
In fact, chiropractic can provide pain relief, faster healing, and prevention for a number of different injuries and conditions.
If you are considering visiting a chiropractor but aren’t sure what to expect, or you just want to make sure the treatment will be safe and not painful, here are some of the most important things to know:
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Some people question whether chiropractic is safe because they don’t realize how much experience is required to become a practicing chiropractor.
Just like other medical professions, chiropractors receive extensive training and must pass rigorous tests administered by the National Boards before becoming licensed.
These requirements help ensure that chiropractors are knowledgeable, skilled, and prepared to deliver safe, quality care to their patients.
Chiropractic care is an effective treatment method for many different conditions, and research suggests that in some cases, it may even be safer than other treatment options. This is because treatment from a chiropractor can serve as an alternative to prescription medications and surgeries.
For workers with back injuries, for example, there is a 42.7% chance that a doctor or surgeon will recommend surgery if you go to them first. If you first visit a chiropractor, on the other hand, the likelihood of surgery decreases to just 1.5%.
Similarly, visiting a chiropractor significantly decreases your likelihood of needing to take opioids for your pain and experiencing adverse drug effects. Chiropractors understand that medication only masks symptoms, instead of solving the root problem or preventing future injury, so they prioritize other treatment methods that allow your body to heal while still relieving your pain.
If you’re nervous about visiting a chiropractor and want to make sure you will be safe, one of the most important things to pay attention to is the way they create your treatment plan.
Because chiropractors have so many tools at their disposal, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Make sure your chiropractor has taken the time to fully understand your medical history and modify their approach accordingly.
At Rush Chiropractic, we understand that the initial consultation is a vital part of the treatment process. Dr Rush explained:
“We use different types of chiropractic techniques based upon the injury, age of patient, health of patient, radiographs taken, and of course based upon our consultation and thorough examinations.”
How Painful is Chiropractic Treatment?
Beyond safety, some patients worry that chiropractic treatment will be painful. But Dr. Rush assures his patients that this is not the case.
“We use the same techniques in our office that we would use with our families. Nothing we do in our office will hurt.”
Unlike some primary care interventions, such as prescribing opioids, chiropractic care works on multiple levels.
First and foremost, a chiropractor will do what they can to relieve your pain. But at the same time, they will provide that pain relief in a way that doesn’t hinder the body’s natural healing, and in many cases, actually supports the body’s processes so you can heal even faster.
In turn, this reduces your risk for future reinjury.
With chiropractic care, you’re not just finding relief today, you’re also improving your body’s overall health for long-term pain relief and injury prevention.
What to Expect When You Visit the Chiropractor
If you live in the Pembroke Pines area and are experiencing chronic pain, pain after a car accident, or acute pain from an injury, Rush Chiropractic can diagnose the root cause and then develop a customized treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.
With every patient, we start by conducting a comprehensive consultation and examination to understand the pain you’re experiencing, any injuries that might be causing it, and other medical conditions that may affect your treatment.
If necessary, we will also take pictures of your spine or other affected area to rule out things like fractures and dislocations.
Once we have diagnosed the source of your pain, we work with you to choose the treatments that will be most effective for reducing your pain and equipping your body to heal faster. These could include:
- Chiropractic Adjustment
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation
- Exercise and Nutritional Advice
- Hot and Cold Therapy
- Massage
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
- Spinal Decompression Therapy
Sometimes we can provide a one-time adjustment that will give you all the benefits you hope for, and other times our treatment plans include multiple visits.
Whatever treatment methods we choose, we always make sure to fully explain what they involve, why we’re using them, and what you can expect to feel during the treatment.
We always want to make sure our patients feel safe, comfortable, and confident in our office.
Experience the Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Too many people spend years suffering from unnecessary pain because they don’t realize there are options outside of medication and surgery. If you’re ready to start feeling better without an invasive procedure or harmful side effects, chiropractic care could provide the relief you’re looking for.
Dr. Rush is an experienced Pembroke Pines chiropractor with a years-long track record of helping patients recover from a wide variety of injuries and pains.
It’s never too late, or too early, to start seeking treatment!
Give us a call today at 954-432-5006 to learn more and schedule a consultation.
Dr. Rush is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Wellness.
Dr. Rush earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in 2000 where he was honored with magna cum laude. Dr. Rush was born and raised in South Florida where he returned after graduation. He currently practices in Pembroke Pines where he owns and operates Rush Chiropractic and Rehab.
