We do a thorough initial exam because the better we understand you, the better recommendations we can make.

When a patient comes into Chandler Chiropractic with pain or another symptom, we don’t want to know only where it hurts today. We want to understand the history that may have led to where they are now.

Many patients tell us: “It just started out of nowhere.” And sometimes symptoms really do begin suddenly.

But other times, what feels like a sudden problem may actually be the point when the body can no longer compensate for stresses that have been accumulating for months, years, or even decades.

Previous car accidents. Sports injuries. Falls. Years behind a computer. Physical demands at work. Poor posture. Emotional stress. Lifestyle and nutritional factors.

Sometimes there’s one obvious event. Other times, there are multiple factors that have accumulated over time.

That’s why we don’t want to simply ask, “Where does it hurt?”

We want to ask, “How did you get here?”

Your History Helps Us Understand the Bigger Picture

During your initial visit, your doctor and our Chiropractic Assistants take time to understand your current symptoms, previous injuries, lifestyle, health history, and the physical, emotional, and chemical stresses that may be relevant to your situation.

We then combine that information with a thorough physical examination and, when clinically appropriate, digital X-rays. Each part gives us another piece of information.

Together, they help your doctor determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and, if it is, what type of individualized recommendation makes the most sense for you.

Your history and examination can also help us identify factors that may influence your progress and give us a more informed basis for discussing what you might realistically expect from care.

We Don’t Want You Riding the Pain Roller Coaster. Many patients have experienced the same frustrating cycle for years: They hurt. They feel better. The problem returns. They feel better again. Then it comes back. The pain roller coaster.

Our goal is to look beyond today’s symptoms and better understand the factors that may be contributing to that cycle. Because if we’re looking for lasting results rather than another quick fix, a good recommendation has to start with a good examination. That’s why we’re thorough.

Many patients ask this, will I get adjusted on my first visit, when they call our office.

At Chandler Chiropractic, our doctors first review your health history and complete an appropriate examination. They may also take and study X-rays before recommending an adjustment.

If we take X-rays, we believe we should carefully review them. Imaging does more than create a picture of your spine. When clinically appropriate, it can help your doctor:

• Understand your spinal structure
• Identify findings that may affect your care
• Decide whether an adjustment is appropriate

For these reasons, we do not rush through your examination just to provide an adjustment.

We Also Want to Hear From You

If you hope to receive an adjustment during your first visit, please tell us.

Our doctors welcome open conversations. We want to learn about your expectations, past chiropractic care, concerns, and goals.

After your evaluation, your doctor may feel comfortable providing an adjustment that day. In other cases, the doctor may recommend completing the examination, reviewing your X-rays, or gathering more information first.

If that happens, we will explain the reason.

Good healthcare should involve a conversation. We will listen to your concerns, explain what we find, and share our professional recommendation. Then, we can decide on the most appropriate next step together.

We want to meet you where you are while providing the careful, thorough care every patient deserves.

Your first visit has one main purpose: to understand your health before recommending care. Most initial appointments take about 60 minutes.

We Begin With Your Health History

Your chiropractor and Chiropractic Assistants will ask about your health history. They will also discuss the symptoms or concerns that brought you to our office.

We may ask:

• When did the problem begin?
• How did your symptoms develop?
• Have you experienced injuries or accidents?
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• What treatments have you already tried?
• How do your symptoms affect daily life?

The event that caused you to seek care may not be the original source of the problem. That is why we look beyond what hurts today. Understanding your history helps us evaluate your current condition more accurately.

Next, We Perform a Thorough Examination

Your chiropractor will complete a comprehensive examination. This evaluation may include your:

• Spine
• Movement
• Posture
• Muscle function
• Neurological findings
• Other areas related to your concerns

We also check your spine for changes in movement, alignment, and function. Chiropractors commonly refer to these findings as subluxations.

This process helps us connect your symptoms with your examination findings. It also gives us the information needed to consider appropriate next steps.

Digital X-Rays When Clinically Appropriate

Your doctor may recommend digital X-rays when they are clinically appropriate. Imaging can provide additional information about your spine and overall condition.

Our digital X-ray system may help us evaluate:

• Spinal alignment and curves
• Degenerative changes
• Signs of previous injuries
• Other findings that may affect your care

X-rays can also reveal information that changes our recommendations. We may adjust our approach, request additional testing, or determine that chiropractic care is not the best starting point.

When appropriate, we send X-rays to an independent radiologist. This provides an additional professional interpretation at no extra charge during your initial analysis.

We Review Your Findings Before Making Recommendations

We do not believe your care plan should be decided in a rushed conversation.

After your examination and any necessary imaging, your doctor reviews the findings carefully. We consider what those findings mean for your health, goals, and current condition.

If chiropractic care appears appropriate, we create individualized recommendations. These recommendations reflect your history, examination results, and personal goals.

If another step should come first, we will explain that clearly.

Your first visit at Chandler Chiropractic is about more than receiving an adjustment. It begins with understanding you.

We listen, investigate, and gather the information needed to make thoughtful recommendations about your next step.