Understanding what to expect can make taking the first step a lot easier
If you're dealing with back pain, neck pain, headaches, or another persistent problem, you may have considered seeing a chiropractor. But if you've never been to one before, it's completely understandable to have questions—or even some apprehension.
- Will it hurt?
- Could it make things worse?
- What exactly is going to happen to my spine?
- Am I going to hear a lot of cracking and popping?
- And once I start, will I have to keep going forever?
I've heard versions of these questions throughout my 25 years in practice. In many cases, the biggest barrier isn't chiropractic care itself. It's simply the fear of the unknown.
That's why I believe a good first visit should begin with listening, examining, explaining, and answering questions—not with an adjustment.
The biggest fear: "What if it makes me worse?"
This is probably the most common concern I hear from people who are considering chiropractic care for the first time.
Sometimes that fear comes from a story they've heard from a friend, a relative, or someone online. Social media can make it particularly easy to come across dramatic videos of spinal manipulation that look intimidating if you don't know what you're seeing.
The best way to address that fear is to slow things down and understand what's actually going on with your body.
At our office, we begin with an in-depth assessment to help determine the underlying cause of your problem. That includes:
- Specialized computer scans of the spinal muscles and nerves
- A physical examination with tests tailored to your concerns
- X-rays if they're needed
Once I've gathered that information, I explain what's been found and what I believe can be done to help.
There's no race to the finish line. After 25 years of practice, I've learned that it's far more important to let the person's body guide the process than to force a particular outcome.
An adjustment doesn't have to mean "cracking" your back
One of the biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care is that a successful adjustment has to produce a loud pop.
It doesn't.
That familiar cracking or popping sound can occur when pressure is released within a joint capsule during an adjustment. It doesn't mean that bones are grinding together, and it isn't an indication that the joint is being damaged.
More importantly, hearing a crack isn't what makes an adjustment successful.
There are many different chiropractic techniques, including Thompson drop-table and Activator techniques, that can be used to stimulate the nerves and muscles without producing the same audible sound.
The technique I use depends on the person, their condition, and what I believe is appropriate for them.
What will an adjustment actually feel like?
Most people experience relief following an adjustment. Occasionally, particularly when someone has been dealing with a problem for a long time, there can be some temporary "post-workout" soreness as the body begins to adapt to a change in muscle and joint tone.
That's different from intentionally forcing the body through an uncomfortable treatment.
If you're nervous, we can take things slowly. I explain the adjustment to first-time patients before we begin, tell them what I'm doing as we go, and demonstrate the technique on a model of the spine so they know what to expect.
You should never feel like you're being asked to surrender control of the process.
You're in control of your care
Being nervous about chiropractic care doesn't mean you're a difficult patient. It's your body, and you have every right to understand what's being done to it.
My patients are in control of how much they use the services, what areas they're comfortable having me work on, and how I adjust them. I also welcome feedback as I get to know each person's concerns and how they respond to care.
There are several gentle techniques available, and we can introduce care gradually if that's what makes you more comfortable.
In my experience, the more open and detailed I can be about what I'm doing—and why—the less intimidating the process becomes.
Do you have to keep coming back forever?
This is another question I hear regularly: "If I start chiropractic care, am I going to have to come for the rest of my life?"
The honest answer: It depends on your goals.
For some people, the immediate goal is simply pain relief. Depending on the problem, that may take days or it may take a few months. Other people are interested in addressing an underlying problem and working toward longer-term changes in how their body functions. That can involve a longer course of care. And some people choose ongoing care because they find that regular chiropractic care helps them maintain their mobility and continue doing the things they enjoy.
There isn't one schedule that's right for everyone. Recommendations should be based on what you're trying to accomplish and how your body is responding.
What if you've already tried everything else?
Many people find our office after trying medication, physiotherapy, massage, or other approaches.
Sometimes those treatments helped considerably. Sometimes they helped for a while and then the person plateaued. And sometimes people are still looking for an answer after trying several different approaches.
That doesn't necessarily mean one approach has failed. Different forms of care address different aspects of a person's health.
My focus is primarily on the joints and nervous system. If chiropractic reduce nerve irritation, for example, a patient may also benefit from massage or physiotherapy to help rehabilitate muscles that have become tense or protective.
I've worked alongside physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and acupuncturists, and I believe that being patient-centred means finding the right care for each individual—not trying to make every problem fit within one profession.
How do we know if chiropractic is right for you?
This may be the most important question of all.
We don't assume that everyone who walks through our door is a chiropractic patient. Our assessment is designed to determine what's happening and whether chiropractic care is appropriate. On rare occasions, we've discovered that someone's problem was outside the scope of practice and that another healthcare professional was the better person to help.
I remember one patient who came to us with severe back pain. We were investigating the cause through our examination and imaging when an X-ray revealed kidney stones. That patient needed to see a medical doctor rather than a chiropractor. Once the kidney stones had passed, they eventually returned to us for care for other concerns.
That's an important part of responsible healthcare: knowing what you can help with, and recognizing when someone needs a different kind of help.
What does successful chiropractic care look like?
Pain relief is certainly one measure of progress, but it's not the only one. For me, successful care means helping a person move closer to their own goals for health.
For one person, that might mean getting out of bed without pain. For another, it might mean reducing their reliance on pain medication. For someone else, it could mean being able to chase their grandchildren around the house or return to competitive sports.
We're looking for measurable improvements and, ultimately, a person who's functioning better and able to live the life they want to live.
Nobody is perfect. Health isn't a finish line you cross once and then you're done. It's an ongoing process of adaptation and improvement.
Still on the fence? That's okay
If you've been living with back or neck pain and you're still unsure about seeing a chiropractor, you don't have to make a decision based on a social media video or a story someone told you years ago.
- Ask questions
- Tell me what you're worried about
- Let me explain what I would do and why
And remember that coming in for a consultation doesn't mean you've committed to a particular treatment plan. My job is to listen, assess what's happening, explain your options, and help you determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
If it isn't, I'll tell you. If it is, I'll work with you at a pace that respects your comfort and your goals.
You don't have to be completely comfortable with chiropractic care before you make that first appointment. You just need to be comfortable enough to ask questions.