FAQs – First Few Visits

If you’ve not visited us at Back-in-Action before you might have a few questions about your first few visits. We hope most of them will be answered here, but if you have any further questions, please contact the clinic and we’ll be happy to help.

 

What times are Back-in-Action open?
Is there any parking at Back-in-Action?
How long will a visit at Back-in-Action take?
Should I be taking painkillers?
Do chiropractors take a medical history?
What happens at the consultation?
How long does the chiropractic consultation take?
What will I wear?
Do I receive treatment on my first visit?
What is a Report of Findings?
How long does the Report of Findings take?
How long are the follow up appointments?

What times are Back-in-Action open?

For our opening times see clinic times.

Is there any parking at Back-in-Action?

Parking is available on Cop Lane or on Tesco’s Car Park – limited to a few hours. For directions and more information on how to contact us please press the link.

How long will a visit to Back-in-Action take?

On your first visit for chiropractic you may have to allow 50-60 minutes, which includes 20-30 minutes to fill out the extensive health questionnaires. Your second visit, the Report of Findings visit is usually designated 30 minutes. Follow up treatments are usually 10-15 minutes. While we aim to run on time this is not always possible. We will endeavor to let you know if we are running more than 10 minutes behind.

If you want to know more about your chiropractic visits please follow the link to how we help.

Most of the other therapists for example massage are usually scheduled for an hour. Please look at the individual therapists to find out more.

Should I be taking painkillers?

Chiropractic doctors don’t dispense drugs and individual advice about medication should be sought from a GP or pharmacist. We have a free advice section on the website making suggestions for use of basic pain relieving medications, which can be useful with caution for some people when things are acute. Because we prefer to rely on natural methods, we can show you how to use ice or heat to control painful symptoms. When properly applied, ice can have an analgesic effect without the side effects of pain medications. When your body is damaged it needs plenty of the building blocks from which it needs to repair, so dietary and nutritional approaches can also be helpful.

Do chiropractors take a medical history?

Like medical doctors, the chiropractor will take a detailed health history during the first visit and perform a comprehensive examination, before treating for the first time. The history will include details on your lifestyle and any risk factors, to help give the chiropractor a full picture of the patient’s health in order to formulate a working diagnosis and determine recommendations for the best and safest treatment.

What happens at the consultation?

The chiropractor listens to you, checks through the health history questionnaires you have filled out and then performs a thorough examination.  The chiropractor then makes their diagnosis and formulates a treatment plan. For more depth on your New Patient Consultation please follow the link.

How long does the chiropractic consultation take?

A new patient appointment at Back-in-Action usually takes about 45-60 minutes. If we find this is not enough time to fully evaluate your case, we may arrange a second continuing examination visit. We often ask you to arrive 20-30 minutes before your visit to fill out the extensive health history questionnaire.

What will I wear?

Generally loose clothing is appropriate. Trousers are recommended. Most patients prefer to remain clothed. However on occasion it might be important for us to ask you to change into a gown. We of course will respect your privacy if this need occurs.

Do I receive treatment on the first visit?

If your problem is not too severe and your medical history not too complex – i.e. there is enough time remaining in the consultation, the chiropractor will briefly discuss your case, explain your problem, ask for your informed consent for treatment and start some treatment. If your problem is complex and the examination has taken a long time, if you require X-Rays or other scans or if your problem requires ice or heat therapy before a chiropractic treatment, then treatment will not be performed on the first appointment. We designate time – usually – on your second visit to discuss your case in more depth.

What is a Report of Findings?

Usually within a day or 2 of your first appointment, you can return for a second 30 minute appointment which we call a Report of Findings. During this visit we will go more in depth into your findings, discussing the specific nature of the problem, outline other related problems which may need to be dealt with, suggest a treatment programme and answer any other questions you may have. If you are satisfied and have read and signed your consent forms we will then be able to continue with treatments.

How long does my Report of Findings take?

The follow up visit, the Report of Findings, is also scheduled for ½ an hour.

How long are the follow up appointments?

Follow up visits are usually scheduled for 15-20 minutes, though on occasion you will be asked to book a longer visit, if for example you are ready for a re-assessment visit. While these times may seem short, it is not the time that is important but the skill of the practitioner to know what needs to be done. It may only take a couple of minutes to adjust the joints, and most the treatment time is taken finding out what progress you are making, assessing you to work out what treatment is required and teaching you self-help exercises or other advice – to empower to help look after yourself and reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

We aim to incorporate a half hour review of your progress every 8-10 treatments and a half hour full history review every year. For people with more complex problems, we may allow extended time for treatment and assessment.

From the Preston Chiropractor Team
Getting You Back in Action & Enjoying Your Life Again
Serving the people of Preston and surrounding areas including Southport and Lytham St Annes