What to Expect

At Dr. Bruce Grant's practice, we believe in a personalized approach to chiropractic care. Each consultation is tailored to your specific needs and the condition you present with. Our goal is to not only address your immediate concerns but to help you achieve optimal health and wellness for the long term.

Your First Visit

We want to help you with all aspects of health. The body, mind (managing stress and how it manifests into illness), pain whether it be back pain, middle back pain, neck pain, muscle pain (conditions like fibromyalgia) and all joints of the body are treated.

Our front desk will help you in any way they can—from assisting you with filling out your new patient form with all your medical information, to answering questions you may have, and most importantly, making you feel welcome and supported in the clinic.

Your first visit includes:

  • A thorough history of your complaint
  • Review of any imaging (X-Ray, CT or MRI scans) you bring to the appointment
  • Postural examination (certain body shapes predict certain conditions or symptoms)
  • Neurological examination (testing that all nerves are working properly)
  • Biomechanical examination including joint movements
  • Testing for muscle imbalances, muscle, tendon and ligament injury

Once we understand what's wrong, we'll discuss treatment options, expected recovery time, and your role in the treatment plan.

First Visit Tips

  • Duration: Allow 45-60 minutes
  • Forms: Download forms to complete beforehand
  • Bring: Any relevant medical records or imaging
  • Wear: Comfortable clothing that allows movement

History and Examination

The information you provide in your new patient form is used extensively to guide the examination. We'll ask additional questions related to your main complaint to streamline the examinations of your brain, nervous system, spine, ligaments, and muscles. The more accurate you are, the better we can help you.

Depending on the diagnosis, we will try to begin treatment after the first appointment. However, if imaging (x-ray, ultrasound, blood tests) is required, treatment will only commence after the results are received and a treatment plan is finalized.

Imaging

We'll refer you for x-ray, ultrasound, or blood tests when necessary. Specialized imaging such as MRI and CT scans are arranged through an orthopedic surgeon and/or neurologist/neurosurgeon.

Diagnostic Precision

Accurate diagnosis is our priority. We use a combination of clinical examination, patient history, and when necessary, diagnostic imaging to ensure we understand exactly what's causing your symptoms.

Your Second Visit

During your second visit, we focus on education and treatment planning. We will:

  • Explain your diagnosis in clear, understandable terms
  • Outline the treatment approach we recommend
  • Provide rehabilitation instructions in the form of an exercise program
  • Discuss lifestyle modifications that may help your condition
  • Answer any questions you have about your condition or treatment

Each subsequent visit will take you from strength to strength, guiding you through the healing phases and progressing toward a full recovery or optimal health.

Education of Your Condition

Many patients come to our practice without a clear understanding of what's wrong with them, even if they've seen other healthcare practitioners. We prioritize patient education and will ensure you understand your condition through discussion, visual aids, and explanatory materials.

Report of Findings

The purpose of this report is to inform you about your particular problem. We believe that this knowledge will give you a platform from which to take corrective steps to improve your health. We'll address several common questions, including:

  • What is my diagnosis?
    This is the most important aspect to determine, as it guides our entire treatment approach.
  • What can I do to help myself?
    You may be doing things that slow your healing, aggravate your condition, or even make it worse. We need to work together to optimize your recovery, with you taking responsibility for your health condition.
  • What exercises should I do to rehabilitate my condition?
    Nearly all conditions benefit from exercise; your body produces cells to heal your injury at the site of trauma, while the brain regulates hormones and relaxes the mind psychologically. Exercise for back pain is proven to be one of the best forms of treatment, and specific exercises will be prescribed for your condition.
  • Why is posture important?
    Body position has a major cumulative impact on health. Sitting has been proven to be a leading cause of lower back pain, which the World Health Organization identifies as the number one cause of disability worldwide.

Ongoing Care

As your treatment progresses, we'll continually assess your improvement and adjust your care plan accordingly. Many patients experience significant relief within the first few treatments, but complete resolution often requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of your condition.

Follow-up Visits

Follow-up visits typically last 15-30 minutes and include:

  • Assessment of your progress
  • Adjustments and hands-on treatment
  • Review and advancement of exercises
  • Addressing any new concerns
Progress Evaluations

Periodically, we'll conduct more comprehensive evaluations to:

  • Document improvements in objective measures
  • Reassess your treatment plan
  • Discuss maintenance strategies
  • Set goals for continued improvement

Common Questions About Posture

Posture plays a critical role in overall health and is often a contributing factor to many conditions we treat. Here are answers to some common questions about posture:

Short answer is NO. The long answer is that back braces are good for acute injuries where the spinal tissues are inflamed, full of muscle spasm and painful. The brace reduces all of the above in the initial stages but decreases neural activity and feedback loops, spinal fluid circulation in the spine, and causes further muscle weakness.

Standing is the best way to spend most of your day. Actually, standing and moving is a recipe for superior health.

Sit-stand devices, standing workstations, ergonomic software reminding us to take breaks, do stretches and be active all have their place to help and correct our posture. Take a read of this article if you want extra evidence of what we have been saying in this posture section of the website.

Contact me to order ergonomic and other devices such as cushions, pillows and back supports so the right product can be prescribed for your problem. Click on the Ergotherapy Solutions webpage to view the products available.

This purely depends on the degree of spinal abnormality found; each patient is different.

My team and I will advise you when you have achieved correction and how to stay corrected; the key is consistency in posture, lifestyle, and treatment.

Ready to Begin Your Journey to Better Health?

Now that you know what to expect, take the first step toward relief and improved function. Schedule your initial consultation today.

Have additional questions? Contact our friendly staff for more information.

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