Most people do not visit a chiropractor as their first form of treatment. This usually happens when other methods have
failed. Many believe  that chiropractic treatment is painful but are surprised to find it less painful then other treatments
they have had. A chiropractor is not only oncerned with your spinal cord but with the health of your whole body.

The first visit to a chiropractor takes longer because he/she will want to know all about any medical conditions you have
so as to know what form of treatment would be best for you. There will be forms to fill out. The chiropractor will review
these sheets before you enter the office and he/she may have some further questions to ask you about information you
provided. For the immediate problem you are having the doctor will ask you specific questions such as:

When did your pain start?

Where exactly is the pain located?

What induces and what reduces the pain?

Is it the result of an injury?

Etc.

The doctor will then proceed to do a thorough examination, not the kind you would receive from your regular health care
professional though. The chiropractic assessment may include blood pressure, pulse and temperature readings, but also
include neurological and orthopedic examinations of the spine and neck and of the part of the body where you have pain.
These include tests on the range of motion of the affected part and the muscle tone and strength. Further chiropractic tests
may be necessary to arrive at the assessment or diagnosis of the affected area.

Once the problem is understood, the chiropractor will determine if the condition will respond to chiropractic care.

He/She will explain the condition from which you are suffering and the chiropractic treatment plan that will be used as well
as how long these treatments may take. The frequency of visits varies you may only need one treatment or your condition
may require regular treatment such as:

2 or 3 times per week over a period of weeks or even months. The seriousness of your condition or the
amount of pain you are in determines this frequency of chiropractic care. The intent is to lessen the pain
so that you can  perform your normal daily routine and to stabilize your problem.

At your first instance of chiropractic treatment you may require an adjustment to be made to your vertebrae to regularize
movement or induce movement. In this adjustment, pressure is applied to your spine either through hands or through a
device. This process has very little or almost no pain associated with it. But there are chances of discomfort for a few
seconds.

If you have had X-rays you should bring them with you, so the doctor will have a clear picture of your problem.  If not, the
chiropractor may want the ER to take an X-ray, or have an MRI in order to provide you with the  best chiropractic  care.

Most, but not all insurance includes chiropractic care. You can call and get your chiropractic benefits before you go in. Or
most chiropractic offices will call and find out your benefits for you.

Those who visit the chiropractor for the first time get so much relief that they become their first choice for treatment.

Contributed by:  Dr. Greg Molis

Dr. Greg Molis has been a Chiropractor for 26 years.  If you're in the Salt Lake area, come on in. He adjusts children too. For more information
please visit http://www.saltlakechiropractor.com.

Dr. Molis is also an Ameriplan® Provider, which means that your first consultation will be free of charge, all diagnostic services will be discounted
50%, and all treatment services will be discounted 30%,