What to expect?
Welcome to the new patient center for Balance Chiropractic Clinic!
We understand that arriving at a chiropractic office for the first time can be nerve racking. If you’ve never experienced chiropractic care before, you may not know what to expect when you come to our Balance Chiropractic office for the first time. Filling out paperwork, learning new faces, and getting to know your way around the office can be an overwhelming experience.
That’s why at Balance Chiropractic Clinic our aim is to remove any unnecessary stress or tension and make you feel comfortable during your visit with our chiropractor.
In this area of the website, you will be able to take care of the items necessary for your chiropractic visit prior to arriving, in the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact our Balance Chiropractic Clinic office at (208) 344-4469
It is important to note that the above list comprises typical pain patterns, but they are not absolute. Some people are simply wired up differently than others, and therefore their symptoms will be different. Since there is not a lot of disc material between the vertebral bodies in the cervical spine, the discs are usually not very large. However, the space available for the nerves is also not that great, which means that even a small disc herniation may impinge on the nerve and cause significant pain. The pain is usually most severe as the nerve first becomes pinched. The majority of the time, the pain from a cervical herniated disc can be controlled with conservative (non-surgical) treatments alone are enough to resolve the condition. Once the pain does start to improve it is unlikely to return, although it may take longer for the weakness and numbness/tingling to improve. If the pain gets better it is acceptable to continue with conservative treatment, as there really is no literature that supports the theory that surgery helps the nerve root heal quicker. All treatments for a cervical herniated disc are essentially designed to help resolve the pain and neurologic symptoms, and improve function.
General phases of chiropractic care
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Laying the Foundation
Chiropractic care is like building a house – certain things have to happen in a particular order in order for everything to stand strong and work correctly. When building a house, if you tried to put up your walls before you had a solid foundation, your walls would be weak and eventually collapse. If you tried to put on your roof before the walls were ready, you would run into the same problem. The same is true for your body. Your body has to go through a particular plan of care in order to repair itself correctly and fully. There are three general phases of chiropractic care . . .
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Phase 1: Relief Care
If you are in pain when you come into our office, the first objective is to help you feel better. Depending on the severity of your problem, it is typical to need care 2-3 times per week for 4-12 weeks.
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Phase 2: Corrective/Restorative Care
During the corrective care phase, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely, thereby helping prevent injury. It is typical to need care 4-8 times per month for 6-24 months, depending on your overall health and the severity of your problem.
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Phase 3: Wellness Care
Once your body has fully healed, it is important to come in for periodic adjustments to avoid problems in the future. Usually, this only requires a quick visit to the chiropractor 1-4 times per month, based on your lifestyle and goals.
First visit
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Consultation
Next you will have a consultation with your doctor to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, as well as potential treatment options. Your first visit is designed for your doctor to learn more about you, your condition and your expectations to determine whether chiropractic care will you meet your goals.
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Examination
After your consultation, the doctor will perform a complete chiropractic examination testing your reflexes, your ability to turn and bend as well as other standard neurologic, orthopedic, postural, and physical examinations. Nothing will be done in our office without your consent.
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X-Ray Studies
Your specific condition may require us to take x-rays to to get a full evaluation of a patient. X-rays help us rule out more serious conditions or assist us in developing the most effective treatment plan for you. Most people are amazed once they are x-rayed and can often immediately identify their misalignments and degeneration themselves.
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Report Findings
Once all the information and examinations have been performed, the doctor will give you a report of findings to answer the three most popular questions:
Can you help me?
What do you recommend that I do to get better?
How much is it going to cost?
After discussing with you your history and your goals, examining your spine and reviewing any x-rays or tests, the doctor will discuss recommendations with you. If you have a condition that requires care with other providers, the doctor will tell you. If the doctor believes we can help you, we will recommend treatment and a wellness program.
