If you are considering having Chiropractic treatment, you may have many questions about what to expect during your appointments. Following are some of the most common things that will occur when visiting the Chiropractor.
First off, meet the Chiropractic Doctor, Dr. Jonathan Bekic.
Dr. Bekic graduated from Life University in 2014 with a Doctorate of Chiropractic Degree. While at Life University he was fortunate to study under some of the leading authorities in Thompson Terminal Point Technique as well as Activator Methods technique. These are the two of the most progressive and gentle chiropractic adjusting techniques.
Growing up in Windsor, Dr. Bekic has a passion for the community and a desire to serve and educate people about chiropractic care and living a lifestyle of wellness. He graduated from Sandwich Secondary School and it was there he discovered his passion and desire to be a chiropractor.
“Growing up I played sports all year round and if it wasn’t for my chiropractor there is no way I could have competed at an elite level or recover from injury so quickly. I was always amazed at the quality of care I received and how much faster I recovered than my teammates.”
INITIAL CONSULTATION
During your first visit, it will be very much like any other type of healthcare appointment. You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire to document any of your existing conditions, current treatments you are receiving, medications you take, the reason you are choosing chiropractic treatment, and what your expected outcome is.
Next, you will have a discussion with Dr. Bekic about conditions you would like to have treated. The Chiropractor will gather additional information about your health history, and may use a diagram of the human body to make notes about particular areas of concern. You will receive an initial physical exam during this appointment which includes a food scan, a posture analysis, and a weight distribution scale.
INITIAL PHYSICAL EXAM
During this initial physical exam, Dr. Bekic will perform a routine exam, followed by a more in depth exam of the areas of your body that are causing you pain or discomfort. It is important to note that while you will be asked about the areas where pain occurs, your Chiropractor may perform an exam of other areas of your body as well. For example, if you are experiencing leg or knee pain, the Chiropractor will also examine your back as it might be the origin to the primary complaint. Another example would be, if you have a subluxation (a misalignment) in your neck, it may present as pain lower down the arm, to the shoulder or headaches.
Once these tests and X-rays of your neck and lower back have been completed and evaluated, the Chiropractor will put together a treatment plan that will address your pain, but will treat the symptoms, the pain, and educate you as to the source of both!
CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT
An adjustment is the main focus of chiropractic treatment. By ensuring that your bones and joints are aligned properly, many of the symptoms you experience, such as pain, stiffness or weakness, can be alleviated.
While there are several different types of chiropractic adjustments, they all involve similar techniques:
•A short, high velocity thrust applied to an area
•Joint cavitation (the release of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide) which reduces pressure
•An almost immediate sense of relief in the affected area
It is important to note that many first time patients who receive chiropractic treatment may experience initial discomfort in the surrounding muscles. This is normal, and is a sign that the muscles have been in a state of spasm, and are beginning to return to their normal position and function.
NOISES DURING TREATMENT
During your adjustments, you may hear certain noises; most commonly, a popping, cracking or crunching sound. Some people are hesitant to try chiropractic treatment because they have heard other people describe the noises that occur. But it is very important to understand what causes these noises, and that they are entirely normal and nothing to be afraid of.
As mentioned above, one of the things that will occur during an adjustment, is called cavitation. Cavitation is the release of gases from within the joint spaces, as the adjustment occurs. The gases are produced within the body, by something called synovial fluid, a fluid that helps lubricate the joints. Think of cavitation the same way you would think of opening a bottle of champagne; there is a little bit of pressure that has built up inside the bottle, and when the cork is removed, you hear a popping sound as the pressure abates. It is the same sound that is made when people crack their own fingers, as these are sinovial joints as well! This is generally followed by a nice warm pleasant feeling.
As for the crunching or cracking sounds you may hear, again, these are entirely normal. In severe cases of subluxation, the muscles can pull your bones into very strange positions that have a body-wide impact. As you receive treatment, the muscles and bones must ‘relearn’ what their optimal position and function are. This can lead to some odd sounds while your adjustments are taking place, but the end result will be a body that is in proper condition, bones and muscles aligned and working properly.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
As noted above, for some patients who are new to chiropractic treatment, or those patients with severe subluxations, there is the potential for some initial side effects that include the following:
•Fatigue
•Aching
•Soreness
•Stiffness
These side effects are normal and usually abate within 24 hours. And as your treatment progresses, you are less likely to experience side effects.
If you find that you are particularly sore, the use of our hot/cold pack or Bio-Freeze are highly effective and should help reduce the discomfort quickly.
SUMMARY
Chiropractic treatment focuses on your bones, muscles and joints. Treatment of subluxations (misalignments) can relieve a multitude of symptoms. If you are considering chiropractic treatment, don’t be afraid! We are here to help relieve your pain and symptoms in a natural drug-free and safe way that will give you all over better health, and ease of movement.
Call our office today at (519) 250-6288 to set up your appointment! Don’t forget to like and share this post with your family and friends
Stretching exercises are such an important part of keeping the body in good shape, yet can be done almost anywhere, and at any time. If you have any doubts about how effective stretching is, do a little research. You’ll find that stretching is almost always a part of any physical therapy treatment, chiropractic treatment, massage, or any other type of rehabilitative treatment. And of course, athletes know that they must always stretch before performing their sport.
INCREASED FLEXIBILITY
Ancient Chinese medicine relies on the body’s energy canals to stimulate health. When illnesses arises, the philosophy behind the practice believes it is due to a blockage in the meridians through which our vital qi flows. By stimulating various pressure points, acupuncture aims to clear them and stimulate organic healing processes.
