Date: 23/09/2019
As a New Patient you have a choice of sites to be seen at:
- Highcliffe – in the Private Clinic at Highcliffe Medical Centre (01425 277505)
- Lymington Office – on New Street (01590 688834)
Our reception staff will always be as friendly and accommodating as they can but sometimes you may not be able to be seen instantly as the clinic is busy. If this is the case you can request a call from a clinician for advice and support prior to your initial appointment as we do not wish you to feel isolated when you are in pain.
On your initial consultation you will be required to sign in with reception. You will then be provided with some paperwork to read and complete. This includes details of your presenting complaint; general health; and current medication (so please remember to bring details of all medication you are currently taking). All documentation held by the clinic will be held in accordance to current GDPR regulations.
Once the necessary paperwork is completed you will be introduced to your Chiropractor who will take you to a consultation room (you may request a chaperone or can be accompanied at this time if this makes you more comfortable). Your Chiropractor will then proceed to discuss the reason you are seeking treatment. You will be asked for a great deal of information – not just about the pain or complaint but also about your general and past health history. This is your Case History and after it has been obtained you will be examined in order to make a diagnosis for your complaint. Female patients will be offered a gown to wear during the examination and will be given a private area to change. The examination will concentrate on your spine, arms and legs but it may also be necessary to examine your heart, lungs and abdomen. If at any time you are uncomfortable or unclear about any part the examination or any methods used please tell the Chiropractor so that he/she can stop and it can then be explained.
After this information is collected and before treatment starts your Chiropractor will discuss the results with you; explaining in clear, simple language (sometimes using models and pictures) what he/she has found and what can be done about it. If you are not clear with regards what you have been told please ask questions as it is very important that you understand your problem. At this point you may be advised:
- Of the diagnosis and a tailored treatment program which may involve, manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, dry needling, muscle balancing work, modalities and/or exercises.
- That further information is required (for example blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, OSMIR (“quantitative fluoroscopy” (QF) takes motion X-rays of the vertebrae of the lower back and measures their movement to find out, for example, if they are slack, tight or un-coordinated when a person bends) scans – all of which we can organise.
- Of some lifestyle changes and possibly some dietary changes that may be beneficial for you in order to get better.
- That you require referral to another professional (which with your consent the clinician will do).
If treatment is appropriate you will then be talked through the type of treatment/manipulation that you will require and you will be offered your initial treatment. Sometimes a patient might like to think about what they have been informed and start treatment at a later date. Once more if you are not clear with regards what you have been told or have any questions please indicate this to the Chiropractor as we want you to be clear and happy to proceed with any intervention.
Tailored individual treatment programs will often require a number of consultations over a stipulated period of time – we want every patient to be appropriately supported during this period and will advise them individually to meet this requirement.