Many times, you have to know the right questions to ask in order to get the answers you need. For anyone going to the chiropractor, whether it’s your first visit or you’re a regular patient, asking the right questions can really help you get the most out of your appointment session.

For first-time patients, it can sometimes be intimidating walking into an office when you aren’t exactly sure what your treatment session is going to be like. At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, our front desk team takes great care to make you feel comfortable and welcomes you into the Dr. Gena family. 

In our office, every new patient goes through the same 3-step process during that initial appointment. Most chiropractic offices will go through the same three steps for their new patients as well.

First, there’s the patient forms. As with any healthcare facility, this paperwork is not only required for legal reasons, but it gives the chiropractic team the necessary information needed in order to better understand your health history, your current health condition, and your own personal health and wellness goals. Having this information at our fingertips allows us to create the best possible treatment plan for your individual needs.

After the paperwork, you will meet with one of our well-trained team members for the consultation. This is a crucial part of your visit because it allows us to talk one-on-one even more in depth about the things you noted in your paperwork, and we can dive even further into more of your health history, problems and concerns, goals, expectations, and potential care options. 

You will have an opportunity to ask questions during a chiropractic consultation. There is no such thing as a dumb question at any point in your visit. Your questions will vary depending on your reason for visiting the chiropractor in the first place, but this is the time and place to ask, so don’t hold back. We suggest making a list of questions prior to your consultation appointment, so you don’t forget anything or neglect to bring up something that is important to your health goals.

These are some of Dr. Gena’s suggestions for questions to ask on your first visit to the chiropractor:

1. Do I need x-rays taken? And if yes, why? We will take X-rays if it is necessary to get a closer look at the spine. We will never take X-rays without your consent and we would not make that decision until after the physical portion of your examination is completed, as they are taken on a case-by-case basis.
2. How can chiropractic help with my pain? Chiropractic care can help with so many different things, specifically headaches and pain in the lower back, neck and shoulders. 
3. I have osteoporosis or osteopenia. Is it still safe for me to get adjusted? Yes, however we may use different techniques that are lower force than other adjustment methods. 
4. Can my kids get adjusted? Absolutely! Chiropractic care for children is very common and has many benefits. It can help with pediatric ailments such as earaches, ADHD and colic. The top two most common things that parents report back after their babies start care is sleeping better and pooping better!
5. What does a chiropractic adjustment look like for a pregnant woman? Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate lower back pain felt during pregnancy, support the pelvis, and there are studies that have shown that women who receive adjustments during pregnancy have shorter labor times. We have special pregnancy pillows and the headpieces on our tables are adjustable. This makes it easy for a pregnant mama to lay comfortably on both her belly and her back during her adjustment. 
6. What is a chiropractic adjustment? An adjustment uses a controlled, sudden movement of force on the joints in order to address spinal movement and improve the body’s overall physical health.  When we adjust babies and kids, we apply sustained contacts (similar to the amount of pressure you’d use when checking how ripe a piece of fruit is) and instruments like the activator as well. 
7. I don't have any pain. Can I still benefit from chiropractic care? Yes! We highly recommend chiropractic care as general maintenance for health and wellness. Our chiropractors use objective test and palpation to determine if your body is in need of an adjustment and where it is needed.
8. How do I know if the chiropractor I am seeing is a good one? Word of mouth, online reviews and referrals are always informative sources to use when looking for a chiropractor. At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, we are very focused on patient education; it is YOUR body after all. It is important that you understand exactly why and what we will be doing when you come to the office for chiropractic care. Each of our patients is prescribed their own individual care plan that is results driven.

After the consultation, a complete chiropractic physical examination will be performed based upon what was discussed during your conversation, x-rays or neural-scans will be performed (if needed) and a treatment plan will be created from there. 

Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are here to help. If you have questions about something and don’t ask, we may not always know about your concern. Asking questions to your healthcare professionals, whether at the chiropractic office or any other general medical facility, is critical to your care. If you feel you are being seen by a doctor who is not listening to your concerns or needs, it may be time to get a second opinion. Contact our office at 954-417-5815 to schedule a consultation with our chiropractic team. We are here to answer any and all of your questions and concerns.