Here’s what to expect:

The first order of business is checking your vital signs, height, weight, and blood pressure.

The doctor will sit with you and discuss the history of your pain patterns and current condition. This will included but not be limited to family history, social history, and detailed descriptions of the pain’s you are experiencing. Once the history is complete, you will be asked to do a series of simple and easy activities or exercises. These exercises will provide your chiropractor with information about your motor skills, balance, and gait, among others. These tests also help determine your range of motion, muscle tone and strength, and integrity of your nervous system. Any abnormalities could provide clues about a condition. You may be asked to:

• Bend forward, sideways, or backwards (misaligned spinal vertebrae can sometimes be detected during this exercise).
• Flex and extend your leg (this is a test for signs of sprain and helps determine the integrity of your joints (also called the “Yeoman’s Test”).
• Grip something such as a rubber ball. (Your grip strength is vital for showing signs of muscular or nerve damage).
• Lie down and raise one leg (this is often referred to as the “Thomas Test,” in which the chiropractor gently pushes on your raised leg to check for hip joint mobility)
• Stand and raise one leg (this test can sometimes show whether you have sciatica, a nerve disorder in your lower back. Another test may involve pushing on your raised leg to determine whether you have pain, inflammation, or imbalance in the joints between your spinal vertebrae. (This is also called the “Psoas Muscle Test.”)
• Stand or sit (posture can sometimes show whether you have misalignments in your spine.
• Walk a straight line (this test measures your gait, and helps to determine if you have a normal walking pattern).
• Walk in Place (abnormalities in the way your pelvis and spine coordinate can be seen during this test).

Next, a short physical exam by the chiropractor will involve palpation, or use of the hands, to explore the alignment of your spine and other structures, as well as provide information on any stimuli that may cause pain.

Finally, an appropriate treatment plan will be determined and shared with you that includes the frequency and type of care to be provided.

The chiropractor or back pain specialist may also consult with you about making important lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, and smoking cessation to improve your chances of healing faster or preventing further injury.