What to Expect at Your First Visit at Chicagoland Spine and Sport (Aurora, IL)
If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Aurora or Naperville and you’re not sure what to expect, you’re not alone.
Most people who come in to see us have already tried something to treat their pain or injuries. It could have been chiropractic care somewhere else, physical therapy, or maybe just trying to stretch it out on their own. Maybe they tried resting it. Icing it. A heating pad. Taking medications.
Sometimes those things help temporarily. Sometimes they don’t. But either way, most of the time those things won’t be enough to fix the problem long term.
And that can be really frustrating. It’s not that you haven’t done anything… it’s that nothing has really stuck.
Our approach is different. It’s designed to get to and fix the root causes of your problem, and your first visit reflects that.
Most chiropractic visits are quick. Ours aren’t.
One of the first things people notice is that we’re not rushing through your visit. Your first visit will almost always be 60 minutes, which gives us time to actually figure out what’s going on instead of having to guess or just treating the spot where it hurts over and over.
If you’ve been to a place where you’re in and out in 5–15 minutes, and the same thing is done every time no matter what, this will feel like a completely different experience.
We start by actually talking things through
Before we do anything hands-on, we take time to understand what’s been going on. We spend time really hearing and understanding your experience.
Not just where it hurts, but how it started, what aggravates it, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re trying to get back to.
For some people that’s getting back into the gym. For some it’s picking up their kids or grandkids. For others it’s just being able to move through the day without constantly thinking about their pain.
That context matters more than most people realize.
Then we look at how you move
Instead of jumping straight into treatment, we first take a look at how your body is able to move.
Sometimes the area that hurts isn’t actually the main problem. It’s just where things are showing up.
That’s why we perform a detailed movement assessment to understand how your joints and tissues function. We assess the passive and active capacities of the involved joints and tissues so we can get a much clearer picture of what’s going on and what is contributing to the problem. Then we can get started on the actual treatment.
Treatment is a mix. Not just adjustments
Our approach to treatment is built around doing what actually creates meaningful, long term change. This is backed up by years of clinical experience as well as the best available research.
This includes a combination of a few things:
The first is specific, targeted soft tissue treatment to improve the health and quality of the tissues. We use a system called Functional Range Systems, which is the gold standard of soft tissue and connective tissue treatment and rehab.
Second, we use exercises to load and train the areas that we are working on. Simply opening up more range of motion does not help the issue long term if we are not loading those joints and tissues through a full range with progressively more strength and control.
And lastly, we use chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations when appropriate to help decrease pain and open up more range temporarily so that it can be loaded and trained more effectively.
You’ll leave with a plan
By the end of the visit, you should have a pretty clear idea of:
what’s going on
what we’re going to focus on
and what the next steps look like
We’re not big on vague “just come back and we’ll see what happens” plans.
Who we typically help
We’re usually a good fit for people who feel like they’ve tried a few different things already and haven’t gotten the result they were hoping for. (But that doesn’t mean you can’t come here first if you have an injury)!
A lot of the people we see are dealing with things like low back pain, neck pain, shoulder issues, hip pain, jaw pain, headaches, wrist or hand pain, elbow pain, ankle or foot pain, or injuries that just aren’t fully resolving.
If you’re looking for something quick and passive, we may not be the best fit. Most meaningful things in life take time and effort, and physical health is no different.
So if you’re looking for a more thorough, long term approach, that’s exactly what we’re set up for.
Looking for a chiropractor in Aurora, IL?
If that sounds like what you’ve been looking for, you can book online or call the clinic to schedule your first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to my first visit?
Wear something comfortable that you can move in. Athletic clothing is ideal, but not required.
How long is the first appointment?
Your first visit is typically around 60 minutes so we have enough time to fully assess and treat the issue.
Will I get adjusted on the first visit?
In most cases, yes. But it depends on what we find during the assessment and what’s most appropriate for your situation.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in Aurora?
No, you do not need a referral to see a chiropractor.
How many visits will I need?
That depends on your specific situation, but we will give you a clear plan after your first visit so you know what to expect.