Chiropractor Virgin....what to expect?!

Chiropractor Virgin....what to expect?

I am going to the Chiropractor today and needless to say, I'm a little nervous. What do they do and what should I expect while I'm there and afterwards?

I do not fear chiropractors, have been using them for years, and I'm 55. BUT....there are different methods used.

There's the old "push and shove" method, which has been used for decades. Basically, they push on your back, shove it quickly to move the joints. It is actually quite shocking and can hurt some.

There is a "newer" approach to spine adjustment, I'd call it a "softer" approach. NO hard shoving; NO quick jerking.
It's very gentle movement of the body, to adjust.

I STRONGLY suggest you find someone who does this softer approach. I went to a male chiropracter who pushed and shoved me for years, and being a former football player, he had the muscles to do that. But I'd feel more tired after an adjustment. While on vacation in California, I had to get an adjustment, and discovered this newer application.

If you have a health food store you frequent or prefer, ask for their suggestions of chiropractors who use the easier, softer method. It's a great world of difference. I'm sorry I don't know the term to describe this softer approach. But most chiropractors are schooled in the older, harder method. I guess you might describe it as "a more natural approach" to spinal adjustment.

And I agree about being careful of the doctors saying you need continual frequent repeated treatment. The only reason you should is if your back is medically damaged, such as from an accident or having a slumped back, can't stand up straight. Normal Frequent adjustment could be once a month.
But then I'd suggest you rather spend some money on a very good full-body massage, once a month. It's incredible how much tension we have in our bodies, and getting the massage will release so much pressure and energy to help our body function easier. Tension in the body also can throw out a bone or vertebrae, and also make it equally hard to get proper adjustment.

The main part is what is wrong with you. If you have a simple vertebrae out of place, it's not so bad. If you have serious medical difficulties, then be very careful.
One of the things I enjoyed afterwards was a long bench or couch laid upon my back, which has rollers inside that slowly rotate up and down your spine, to gently flex your back. There are various take-home versions at stores now, and they call it Shiatsu massage. I love it, because it would gently massage my back as it flexed it.

So hope that your pain or injury isn't too bad. But you can expect more than a single treatment if you're out of place enough. I once picked up a 50# sack of "something" in one hand, and immediately felt my back go out. I went once, got adjusted somewhat, but didn't realize if I'd have gone back for one more treatement, it would have popped back into place much sooner.