What To Expect

First Visit, What you should expect

You’ve decided to visit our office, but you’re not quite sure what to expect on your first visit. The following will help you feel at ease during your first chiropractic appointment. During the first visit, Dr. Kyle Pitstick will complete a thorough examination that typically includes:

 • Patient history

• Physical examination

• Diagnostic studies (when indicated)

• Diagnosis

• Chiropractic treatment plan

Patient History

Prior to your initial consultation, you will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about your symptoms and condition. Questions may include:

• When did your pain/condition start?

• Where is the pain located?

• Did your pain/condition immediately follow an injury or accident?

• Does anything improve or worsen the pain?

• What treatments have you already tried, and how successful were they?

You may also be asked to provide family medical history, any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous and current health providers and treatments. When applicable, bring with you any copies of previous tests including MRI or X-ray reports, lab results, and a list of any medications you are taking, including over the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, teas, and homeopathic and/or naturopathic substances.

Examination

The next step is a physical examination Dr. Kyle will perform to evaluate your condition and develop a working diagnosis. In addition to general physical examination procedures such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature, the examination will include specific orthopedic and neurological tests to assess:

• Range of motion of the affected area that is observed while you walk, turn, bend, or lift

• Muscle tone

• Muscle strength

• Neurological integrity

• Posture assessment

Diagnostic Studies

Diagnostic studies help diagnose conditions more accurately. The most common ones used by chiropractors include:

• X-ray

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT, or bone scan

• Laboratory tests

Diagnosis

 The combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies will allow your Dr. Kyle to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help him determine whether your condition or pain may respond to chiropractic care. Dr. Kyle will explain:

• The diagnosed condition

• The chiropractic treatment plan (or other recommended treatments)

• The anticipated length of care

If determined that your condition would be more appropriately treated by another health care professional, he will make the proper referral. Your treatment plan may also involve collaborative care with other health care providers, such as your primary care physician, a physical therapist, or a neurologist.

Treatment

 If you and Dr. Kyle Pitstick agree that chiropractic will help, you will receive your first chiropractic adjustment. While patients are typically asked to lie on a specially designed table, the chiropractor most often uses his or her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, to reduce pain and restore or enhance joint function. Dr. Kyle will adapt the treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Other treatments, including therapeutic ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, ice and heat, traction, soft-tissue massage, and rehabilitative exercises may also be used.

The extent and duration of the patient’s problems coupled with the hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment may require several visits. Dr. Kyle will tell you how long you can expect the treatment to last.

You may also receive instructions on certain activities or procedures to conduct at home. This may include ice or heat application, avoidance of certain activities or positions, or home exercises and/or stretches.