What to expect at your first chiropractic visit
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Book a first visit
Going to a new doctor can feel like a lot of unknowns. How long will it take? Will it hurt? What will they find? Here’s exactly what happens at your first visit to CREW, so there are no surprises.
Before you arrive
Booking takes about a minute online: tell us what brings you in, pick a time, and leave your name and number. We’ll send you a short intake form to fill out before your visit, so you’re not stuck with a clipboard in the waiting room.
What to wear
Wear something comfortable you can move in, like workout clothes. If your neck or shoulders are the problem, a shirt that isn’t a turtleneck helps.
What to bring
- A photo ID
- A list of any medications you take
- Any imaging you already have, like an MRI or x-rays, if it’s about the same problem
Plan to arrive about ten minutes early.
Visit one: the exam (30 to 45 minutes)
Your first visit is about finding out what’s actually going on. Nothing gets adjusted until we know why.
A real conversation
Your doctor starts by listening: what hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve tried, and what you want to get back to. Running a 10K, sleeping through the night and picking up your kids without wincing are all goals we hear.
Three measurements
- A digital posture scan. Photos analyzed by software to show how your head, shoulders and hips line up, and how far off center they sit.
- A nerve scan. A quick, painless scan that measures muscle activity along your spine.
- X-rays, when you need them. Taken in our office when your exam calls for them. We never x-ray during pregnancy.
A physical exam
Your doctor checks how your spine and joints move, tests strength and reflexes, and looks for anything that means you need a different kind of care. If anything points to a medical problem, we tell you and refer you.
Visit two: what we found
At your second visit, your doctor walks you through every number from your scans and what it means for you. You get a report you keep, and a plan with a clear start and finish line: how many visits, what each one includes, and what you’ll do at home.
Questions are welcome. If you leave with any, we didn’t do our job.
After that: getting to work
Regular visits are shorter, usually 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on your plan, they can include adjustments, soft-tissue work, spinal decompression, SoftWave, PEMF or red light, and the exercises that make it stick.
Every twelve visits we repeat your scans and put the new numbers next to your first ones, so you can see your progress, not just feel it.
Does it hurt?
Most people find adjustments relieving. It’s common to feel a little sore for a day after the first few visits, like after a new workout. If you’re nervous, tell your doctor. We have gentle, low-force techniques that don’t involve any twisting.
What does it cost?
The front desk will tell you the cost of your first visits when you book, before you arrive, so there are no surprises.
Common questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book with us directly.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. Our doctors see newborns through teenagers, and we’re a family-friendly office.
Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
Usually not. Visit one is for measuring. Your doctor explains what they found at visit two, and care starts once you understand your plan. If you’re in acute pain, your doctor may treat you sooner.
Find out what’s going on.
Your first visit includes a full exam, your scans, and a doctor who walks you through what they show and what to do next.
General information from the doctors at CREW Chiropractic, not medical advice for your situation. If something here sounds like you, book a visit or talk with your physician. For a medical emergency, call 911. How we write and review these articles.