You might wonder what to expect on your first visit to Bolz & Lucas Chiropractic. It's not uncommon to have some anxiety if you've never been treated by a chiropractor. But not to worry, it will be a pleasant experience.

On your first visit to the office, we will have some initial paperwork for you to fill out. These forms will usually include a questionnaire of your medical history. This will give the Doctors a brief overview of your background, including surgeries, diagnostic tests, and medications.

The Doctors will use this information to evaluate you before the exam. More detailed questions may be asked during the actual examination. You will have a physical examination similar to the one performed by your MD. The Doctor will perform some orthopedic and neurological tests concentrating on your current complaint. Chiropractors understand that the entire body is a fully integrated system and one part is not independent from the other. He will not only examine the primary area of complaint but will also look at other areas that may be contributing to your complaint. Under most circumstances, the Doctors will take X-rays prior to giving you an adjustment to determine the current condition of your spine.

Once the exam is completed, your Doctor will explain his findings to you and lay out a course of treatment. He will then adjust the area of your current complaint (look below for a definition of adjustment). The Doctor may prescribe some physical modalities in order to speed your recovery and healing process. These may include ultrasound, interferential therapy (electrical therapy), or rehabilitation exercises.

Visit Time
On your first visit, plan on spending some time filling out paperwork. Most first office visits last between 45-60 minutes. Successive visits may last anywhere between 10-30 minutes.

The Adjustment/Manipulation
Although the spine is the primary focus of chiropractic, manipulations can be applied to any muscle or joint of the body. After proper positioning, the chiropractor creates tension around the offending joint, then applies pressure to return it to its proper position. A popping sound is often heard and sometimes felt, following this maneuver. The noise is similar to the one you hear when cracking your knuckles. It results from the release of nitrogen gas that builds up in a tight joint. After the adjustment, proper function is restored to the joint by taking the pressure off of the nerve root and giving the soft tissue an opportunity to heal, thus relieving the pain.