Most patients that we see, we see for the first time. Even more amazingly, we find that over 90% of the patients we see have never been to a chiropractor before, mainly because they are not aware of the benefits of chiropractic care; not only to symptom relief but, more importantly, to ongoing general wellbeing. We leave no stone unturned to provide the best possible care that is tailored to your specific needs.
BILLERICAY: 01277 631 025 | BRENTWOOD: 01277 500 560
WHAT TO EXPECT
If this is your first time as a patient to our centres, Welcome!
1
A bit of paperwork
We will have some simple paperwork for you to fill in on your first visit with a member of our front desk team, including important details about you and why you are seeing us. We look to give you a brief tour of the centre so you know where all the amenities are.
2
First Consultation – The New Patient
During your first appointment we will discuss your main complaint and any other health-related issues and concerns. This will involve taking your case history followed by a physical examination.
a. Case History
In order to identify the cause of your complaint and address it and / or any other concerns you may have, we will take a full and detailed history. For this reason we ask you to bring with you as much information about your history as you have available, including a list of any medications you are taking or have taken in the past, images such as X-rays or MRIs, and any other information about past medical procedures you have had or are having done.
b. Physical Examination
This involves a complete examination of your spine and nerve system as well as joints, muscles and ligaments to reach a working rationale for the cause of your complaint. At the end of this session we will tell you whether we think we can help. If we can, we will book the next appointment which is called the Report of Findings.
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Report of Findings
This session will ideally occur within 24 hours after you have had your New Patient Examination (see above). By this time, we will have been able to examine your case (in most cases no further tests are required) and determine what is required to get you to where you want to be. At this session we will explain:
- What we have found
- What we can do
- How many sessions it will take
- How much it will cost
We advise most patients to bring a partner or close friend to this second session. We have found patients that do this tend to be better supported at home and as a result tend to improve faster.
4
First adjustment
Provided you are happy we will usually start care on the day, straight after the Report of Findings. We appreciate most people are in pain when they first come to see us and genuinely want to start care as soon as possible; for this reason we allocate a dedicated time slot after the Report of Findings for the first adjustment. Whilst there is no charge for our time at the Report of Findings, all adjustments (including the first one) are charged for. The charges for adjustments and all the services we provide can be found under Services & Charges.
Home exercises and supportive care
Before leaving you will be usually be given instructions and a handout on certain activities or exercises to be carried out at home. This advice may also include the use of ice (or very occasionally heat) and advise you to avoid certain activities and positions that we feel may be aggravating your condition.
5
Follow up appointments
Your Doctor of Chiropractic at our centre will provide you with a schedule of care that is right for you. It usually takes time to create a bad habit and consequential problem, so it can take time to heal and return to a state of wellbeing. You may therefore receive a schedule of care that is tailored to your case.
Any schedule will include reassessments so all aspects of your care are monitored at all times.
We know that everyone has commitments so we offer your appointment/s scheduled in advance at times that are most convenient for you. We are also open late and on some Saturdays.
6
The Health Class
Given that most people we encounter have chronic complaints that have been ignored and subsequently worsened, it is very likely that if they go back to their usual habits they will end up back where they started.
Poor posture is just one of these bad habits. In this class we recap on positive and healthy attributes to include in your lifestyle so that you are less likely to slip back to where you were when you first came to see us with your symptoms. In clinical practice we have found that people who come to the health class stay on track with their recommended care and feel more empowered from having attended.
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And finally, we maintain health
When you are feeling great and back on track we offer ongoing wellbeing care for those who want not only to keep the pain away but to keep themselves in an optimal state of health.