A comprehensive chiropractic exam includes general tests, such as blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and reflexes. Specific orthopedic and neurological tests may be performed. During the adjustment, you may be asked to lie down at a specially designed table. By placing the hands in precise places and performing controlled movements, the chiropractor works on one joint at a time.
This is to help improve movement and ease pain. At your first visit, your chiropractor will ask about your medical history. The chiropractor does a physical exam, paying special attention to the spine. You may also need other tests or tests, such as X-rays.
During a chiropractic adjustment, most of the time your chiropractor places you in certain poses to treat affected areas. You're likely to lie face down on a special padded chiropractic table. Using their hands to apply controlled force to a joint, the chiropractor pushes the joint beyond their usual range of motion. You may hear popping or crackling sounds when the chiropractor moves your joints during the treatment session.
The following tests and their explanations are among those that can be performed by Dr. Understanding the meaning of the tests is useful for patients, insurance companies, lawyers, paralegals, and other doctors who are not familiar with neuromusculoskeletal chiropractic exams (NMSK). They use a wide range of methods to diagnose musculoskeletal problems, including practical clinical exams and diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs. These and other diagnostic methods are used to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate.
Make sure you wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that isn't too bulky. Your chiropractor will physically evaluate you and perform diagnostic tests. You may have an X-ray, a thermogram, or a surface electromyogram. As part of the chiropractic exam process, depending on your situation, the chiropractor may also request grip and reflex tests, tests of muscle trigger points or others.
Chiropractors treat aches, crunches and strains. If you have a problem related to the musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor can offer you alternative treatment methods that don't involve the prescription of medications. Chiropractic adjustments focus on alleviating symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system. This could be to treat aches and pains, muscle stiffness or chronic conditions.
Some people choose to have a chiropractic adjustment if they want an alternative form of treatment that doesn't involve taking prescription medications. You should get an evaluation before a chiropractic adjustment to make sure you're a good candidate for chiropractic care. If chiropractic care isn't right for your condition, your chiropractor will refer you to another healthcare provider for help. You'll lie face down on a chiropractic table that allows certain parts of the body (divided into segments) to lift slightly higher than the rest, helping the chiropractor to apply pressure to a specific area.
The chiropractor will use their hands or small instruments to apply a quick and controlled force (amount of pressure) to a joint or gently stretch the joints beyond their normal range of motion. This helps align the vertebrae of the spine if they were slightly off-center and to release gases trapped in the joints. You're at greater risk of side effects or complications if you adapt by people who aren't trained and aren't licensed. Only a licensed professional chiropractor should treat you.
If you are undergoing a chiropractic adjustment and experience unusual symptoms, such as weakness, numbness, or worsening pain, contact your healthcare provider right away for evaluation. Chiropractic adjustments may be right for you if you're in pain and want an alternative form of treatment. Most people will feel immediate relief after a chiropractic adjustment, while others may experience temporary mild pain after treatment. If you're not sure if seeking chiropractic care is right for you, talk to your primary care provider about your symptoms and concerns.
Living with back pain, neck pain, and joint pain can make daily life exhausting. The experienced chiropractic doctors at Cleveland Clinic can provide relief. Physical Examination Your vital signs will be observed and recorded, including your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, and the like. During a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor will offer you a unique treatment to satisfy your needs.
Think of a chiropractor as a doctor who treats any type of muscle, bone, or joint pain or dysfunction. This sensation usually goes away within 24 hours and rarely affects people who see a chiropractor regularly. Based on your exam, your chiropractor will give you a differential diagnosis (which considers all possible causes of your primary complaint) and a practical diagnosis (the most likely cause of your primary complaint). Chiropractic care can alleviate pain and improve health, and many people can benefit from it, so if you're one of those people who delay care because you're worried about what will happen, here's the definitive guide to chiropractic evaluation.
Some topics may include questions about the chiropractor's philosophy, experience, and general approach, and what the patient's preferences might be. The chiropractor will use pressure to manipulate the joints of the body to realign the spine and reduce pain and discomfort. After a chiropractic adjustment, you may feel mild pain or have very mild pain in the areas of the body where the chiropractor worked. After learning more about your symptoms and what could be causing the discomfort, the chiropractor will develop a unique treatment plan based on the results of the exams and tests.
Cost Concerns Your chiropractor will only take the necessary views to get an accurate visualization of your problem, so that your care can be tailored to your particular situation. When needed, your chiropractor can also refer you directly to undergo other diagnostic tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. After the evaluation, the chiropractor will discuss treatment options and develop a treatment plan for your needs. An X-ray study should only be performed if the chiropractor has good reason to believe that it will provide the necessary information to guide the patient's treatment program.
