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Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating musculoskeletal disorders. Using this holistic approach, chiropractors help alleviate pain and improve overall quality of life.
Chiropractors are regulated healthcare professionals with a commitment to providing high-quality care. To practise in the UK, a chiropractor must be qualified and registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
If you’re new to chiropractic care, you should know what to expect during your appointments, including how long they typically last. In this blog, we break down a typical visit to Ocean City and provide an estimate of appointment lengths.
Our chiropractic appointments follow all GCC recommendations as outlined in the GCC patient guide (GCC Patient Guide).
At Ocean City, the initial consultation usually takes around 45 minutes. This appointment is comparatively long because it includes a comprehensive evaluation. During this consultation, we will interrogate your health history, assess any current issues, and develop a personalised treatment plan.
The results of the above evaluation are presented in the second appointment. During this appointment, we will outline an effective treatment strategy personalised to your needs. This follow-up consultation usually takes around 30 minutes.
In all our follow-up appointments, we mainly focus on adjustments. During a typical chiropractic appointment, we will apply a controlled force to problematic joints to enhance their function and alleviate pain.
These adjustments are usually brief, taking just a few minutes each, and they form the core of a typical chiropractic treatment plan.
At Ocean City, most follow-up appointments are performed within a 15-minute session. Because these sessions have a short timeframe, patients can conveniently visit during their lunch break or before work.
The length of a follow-up session may vary depending on the patient’s specific needs and conditions. We adjust the duration of each session based on factors such as the severity of the patient’s condition, the number of areas requiring adjustment, the patient’s response to treatment, and their overall health status.
This personalised approach ensures each patient gets the care they need for optimal recovery and health maintenance.
When you visit Ocean City, you can expect a structured process designed to identify and address your specific health concerns. We invite all prospective patients to come along to a 45-minute free chiropractic health talk. You can read more about the new patient journey we offer here.
First, we will review your medical history and discuss your symptoms. This helps us to understand your health background and any issues you’re currently experiencing. This is a chance for you to share details about your pain, previous injuries, lifestyle, and any other relevant information.
Next, we will perform a thorough physical examination. This usually involves a check of your posture, range of motion, and reflexes. We will also palpate (examine by touch) your spine and joints to identify any misalignments or areas of tenderness.
If required, diagnostic imaging (e.g. X-rays or MRI scans) will be recommended to get a more detailed view of your musculoskeletal system.
During the next session, we provide a report of our findings from the consultation and examination. We will also outline a personalised treatment plan developed from our findings. This may include chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and lifestyle recommendations.
We will also explain the proposed treatments, the expected outcomes, and the estimated timeline for achieving your health goals.
The core of the treatment involves performing specific adjustments (a controlled, sudden force to the affected areas) to your spine and joints. These adjustments are designed to improve alignment, relieve pain, and enhance overall function.
After each adjustment, we provide advice on activities to support your recovery and prevent future issues. We may recommend stretches, strengthening exercises, or modifications to your daily routine to help maintain the benefits of the adjustment.
Some patients may experience discomfort after a chiropractic appointment. While the soreness may last for up to 24 hours, you should start feeling better after a day or so.
At the beginning of treatment, chiropractic care often requires frequent visits, especially for patients with severe ailments. We might initially recommend several visits per week for the first 1–3 months to manage pain or correct an underlying issue.
As your condition improves, the frequency of visits usually decreases, eventually transitioning to a maintenance phase.
While some patients may experience immediate relief and require only a few brief follow-up sessions, patients with more complex conditions might need longer or more frequent visits to manage their health effectively.
During the maintenance phase, sessions are spaced optimally apart to ensure continued mobility and pain management. The frequency of these maintenance adjustments is tailored to each patient’s needs.
This ongoing schedule is crucial for those recovering from injuries and for athletes or individuals with chronic health issues who benefit from regular care to maintain their wellness and physical capabilities.
A summary of typical chiropractic adjustment frequencies is shown below:
At Ocean City, the duration of a typical chiropractic session is 15 minutes. While the actual adjustments might take only a few minutes, the total time spent in the treatment room typically ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.
The initial appointment includes a comprehensive assessment, making it longer than follow-up visits.
Regular sessions allow us to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective care for their evolving needs.
In general, our chiropractic care program will also be integrated into a broader holistic health strategy that includes nutrition advice, useful exercises, and the promotion of mental well-being.
If you’re considering chiropractic care or are already a patient, understanding the structure and duration of your appointments can help you get the most out of your treatment.
Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or aiming to improve your overall health, chiropractic care at Ocean City is tailored to meet your needs and help you achieve your health goals.
