What Can I Expect on My First Visit to Gibbons Holistic?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned.  The DC will also ask you about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

On your first visit to our office, you can expect a comprehensive consultation and physical exam consisting of postural exam, applied kinesiology analysis, orthopedic tests, neurological tests, and motion palpation.  The procedures used are designed to evaluate your spine and nervous system health.  If warranted, x-rays will be taken at this visit.  On your second visit, you will receive a Report of Findings (ROF) that will consist of a review of the examination findings, the Dotors’ diagnosis and recommended treatment plan.  Once the treatment plan is agreed to, your first Chiropractic Manipulation Treatment (CMT) will be performed.

An “adjustment “, as doctors of chiropractic use the term, means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally.  Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) spend  years learning motion palpation (the art of examining by movement or touch) and other forms of spinal examining procedures, so that they can administer specific and appropriate spinal adjustments.

Once the DC has identified the problem, she will begin care by way of these adjustments or “manipulations”.  Particular attention will be paid to that area of your spine where a spinal derangement or “subluxation” has been detected.  The adjustment is usually given by hand or “activator” type instruments, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion.  In addition, therapy such as electrical stimulation and/ or intersegmental traction may be recommended as an adjunct to you CMT.

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don’t hurt.  The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds.  Adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe.  The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.

Gibbons Holistic Chiropractic & Wellness Center uses many sophisticated and varied techniques throughout your care plan.  The specific procedure to be used will be determined and explained completely to you following a careful evaluation of your radiographs and physical findings.  Every patient receives a custom made treatment plan.  Both Dr Gibbons & Dr Coffey use a combination of different techniques including, AK (applied kinesiology), SOT (sacro-occipital technique), Activator methods, Drop-Table techniques, Diversified, Flexion-Distraction, soft- tissue manipulation, neuromuscular, Brimhall, trigger point therapy, and many more.  Plus, our office provides additional services such as massage, yoga, custom molded orthotics, and a strength and rehabilitation room. The DCs will determine which procedures are to suit your needs in order to obtain the best results as soon as possible.