New Patients

The following page will help you feel at ease during your first chiropractic appointment.

During your first visit to Bergman Chiropractic, we will complete a thorough examination that typically includes:

Patient History

Prior to your initial consultation, you will be asked to fill out forms that provide background information about your symptoms and condition.

Save time at your first visit by completing the new patient form online in advance of your appointment.

When applicable, bring with you any copies of previous tests (for example, MRI or X-ray reports), lab results, and a list of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs, teas, and homeopathic and/or naturopathic substances.

Chiropractic Physical Examination

The next step is a physical examination our chiropractor will perform to evaluate your condition and develop a working diagnosis. In addition to general physical examination procedures such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature, the examination will include specific orthopedic and neurological tests to assess:

Our chiropractic office is located in a facility which has X-ray equipment, lab testing, but an MRI scan and more extensive tests may be referred to an outside center.

Diagnosis

The combination of the history, examination, and diagnostic studies will allow our chiropractors to reach a specific diagnosis, which will help determine whether your condition or pain may respond to chiropractic care.

Our chiropractors will explain:

If our chiropractor determines that your condition would be more appropriately treated by another health care professional, we will make the proper referral. Your treatment plan may also involve collaborative care with other health care providers, such as your primary care physician, a physical therapist, or a neurologist. In many cases, such as those involving lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary treatment method. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal problems associated with the condition.

If you and our doctor of chiropractic agree that chiropractic will help, you will receive your first chiropractic adjustment. While patients are typically asked to lie on a specially designed table, our chiropractors most often use their hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, to reduce pain and restore or enhance joint function. Our doctor of chiropractic will adapt the treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Other treatments, including therapeutic ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, ice and heat, traction, soft-tissue massage, and rehabilitative exercises, may also be used.

The extent and duration of your problems coupled with the hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment may require numerous visits. Our doctor of chiropractic will tell you how long you can expect the treatment to last. You may also receive instructions on certain activities or procedures to conduct at home. This may include ice or heat application, avoidance of certain activities or positions, as well as home exercises and/or stretches.

When Will I Feel Better?

Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but it may take others two to three weeks before they achieve substantial progress. Many factors can affect the healing process. Are you suffering from a chronic problem or pain? Do you smoke? Are you following the recommended treatment plan? Usually, the more fully patients carry out our doctor’s recommendations, the better the results.