Betterton Family Chiropractic
What to expect the first visit
Expect your first visit to take a little longer than most appointments, as the doctor will take the time to get to know you and your spine. Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour for your initial visit.
The first visit begins with a detailed health history to understand your condition and overall health. To save time, you are welcome to fill out the new patient visit form ahead of your appointment.
You will be brought to an exam room, where the doctor will meet with you to review your health history and address any concerns you may have. The doctor encourages you to ask questions and share any comments—your input helps ensure the best care.
This detailed history allows the doctor to determine whether your condition is appropriate for chiropractic care and whether any additional examination or referral may be needed. We offer a wide range of services to support your health, including chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling.
The doctor will perform a chiropractic exam in this room. This exam is designed to carefully assess your spine and nervous system and may include several tests:
Visualization – The doctor observes your posture, looking for any imbalances or abnormalities.
Static Palpation – The doctor gently feels each vertebra in your spine to detect tenderness, swelling, or other irregularities.
Motion Palpation – The doctor moves your spine through its natural range of motion to identify joints that are restricted or moving abnormally.
Instrumentation – A tool called a Nervo-scope (pictured to the side) is run along your spine to detect areas of heat and swelling. Misalignments in the spine, similar to what can happen after rolling an ankle, can cause local swelling and temperature changes. The Nervo-scope helps the doctor identify these areas.
These tests together allow the doctor to pinpoint misalignments and determine how to best restore proper function and nerve communication.
Weight-bearing X-rays may be taken unless special circumstances exist, such as pregnancy or for very young children and infants. These X-rays are used for several important reasons:
- They help the doctor evaluate the health of the discs that sit between each vertebra in the spine.
- They reveal signs of degenerative changes and identify potential problem areas along the spine.
- They can help rule out or detect any underlying conditions or other health concerns.
- They provide the doctor with a detailed view of your unique spinal structure, allowing for a more precise and specific chiropractic adjustment.
No two spines are exactly alike, so X-rays are a valuable tool to ensure the doctor can tailor each adjustment specifically to your needs.
Finally, it’s time for the adjustment. Everything leading up to this point has helped us assess your spine, pinpoint any issues, and determine the best way to adjust you. It might seem like a lot—and it is! The nervous system is complex, so being thorough is key to ensuring you get the most out of your chiropractic care.
At Betterton Family Chiropractic, we use the Gonstead technique, which emphasizes precision in both analysis and adjustment. This method involves several specialized tables to help us determine how your spine adjusts most effectively.
After your adjustment, be sure to ask any questions you may have for the doctor. This could include topics like protecting your spine, exercises, nutrition, or any other concerns. Our goal at Betterton Family Chiropractic is to provide you with the most up-to-date information so we can maintain your spinal health together.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.