If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, you may be a little anxious to lay on the table. All those cracking and popping noises can definitely get your nerves in a bundle, which is actually the opposite of what you want.
To approach a chiro appointment the right way, you need to start by relaxing. The tension in your body will not make for a pleasant experience, so please do whatever it is you need to do to calm your mind and body beforehand.
Along with relaxation, we’ve listed some additional tips to brush up on. We hope you find these helpful!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
That quality H2O can make your body feel much better than when it’s dehydrated, in more than one way. You see, drinking plenty of water can minimize headaches, stress, and muscle tension. So consuming a few glasses before hitting the chiropractor is a wise choice.
Plus, if your body is going through any kind of recovery process after an alignment, water will push it in the right direction for optimum healing.
Dress Comfortably
If you’re in tight skinny jeans and a top that’s practically glued to your skin, you will not be flexible enough for an alignment. Plus, you won’t be comfy. Being uncomfortable can lead to stress and tension.
That’s why we recommend wearing something you can easily move around in. Remember, the chiropractor is going to be moving you into various positions. He/she might even perform X-rays and apply probes.
Eat a Nutritious Meal
Eating a meal before a chiropractor is important, to keep up your energy levels and give you fuel for recovery. We prefer something small or a light snack. But our biggest push? Make sure it’s high in protein so that you’re satiated for a few hours.
Take Notes
Take notes? What’re we back in school?
No, silly. Not those kinds of notes. Get a journal or piece of paper out and simply jot down your pain points and achy symptoms. That way your chiropractor will know just what to do and where to go.
Communication is the beginning of putting your body in proper alignment for a pain-free future.
Understand What’s Going to Happen
The biggest one, for us, is probably knowing and understanding what’s going to happen in the appointment itself. Knowledge and prior info will help you ease any worries you may have. So we wanted to give you a brief overview of what your first visit will be like.
For starters, you’ll sit down with the medical healthcare professional in charge of your case and discuss your condition. A physical exam will be conducted where your chiro will feel your spine, investigate joint movements, and test your muscle reflexes, strength, and range of motion.
After the exam, treatment options will be discussed, some at-home suggestions and follow-up chiropractic sessions will be prescribed.
During this period, we suggest that you take notes so that you don’t forget the medical advice you’re given. You can also give the office a call at a later time if any questions arise.
Additional Quick Tips:
- Have your documents ready for the office, including but not limited to your identification card, insurance card, and referral form.
- Consider moving your body around; take a short walk prior to the appointment to get your muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments warmed up.
- Ask any and all questions that come to mind after you’re given the relative information to your case.