The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had, determine the nature of your illness and the best way. to go about treating the problem,
A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC’s clinical judgment, which may include X-rays. laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.
An “adjustment” means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally.
Doctors of chiropractic spend years learning different forms of spinal examining procedures, so that they can administer specific and appropriate spinal adjustments.
Once the DC has identified the problem, he/she will begin care by way of these adjustments or “manipulations.” The adjustment is usually given by hand or instruments, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion.
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don’t hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.
