Also, a careful spinal examination will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities that might affect a patient's particular health condition. Chiropractors may find a significant connection between a bump, jar or fall that a patient experienced many years ago and the patient's present health problem. Only after a chiropractor determines that your condition could be helped with chiropractic does he or she initiate care. Specific procedures are determined by careful evaluation of the patient's X-rays, laboratory test and physical findings. The typical chiropractic approach to health problems is to outline a course of treatment over a one-month period.
Most patients respond to treatment within weeks.
The doctor should discuss this with you and change the treatment if you do not feel as though you have improved. In the event that you need non-chiropractic treatment, you should expect a referral to another medical specialist within your health plan. This treatment is used to restore normal joint function, to decrease pain, swelling and muscle spasms, as well as to improve range of motion. The chiropractor may also choose to use physical modalities such as ice, heat, electrical muscle stimulation, or ultrasound. Whichever treatment the chiropractor recommends, you should be informed of the benefits and risks in language that you understand.