What to Expect at Ptak Family Chiropractic

At Ptak Family Chiropractic, your first visit is designed to thoroughly assess your health and spinal condition, laying the foundation for personalized care and treatment. Here’s what you can expect during your initial consultation:

During the consultation, Dr. Ptak will gather crucial information to understand your current health status and the symptoms you are experiencing. Key questions may include:

• Current Health Status: Assessing your overall well-being.
• Symptoms: Understanding the specific pain or discomfort you are feeling.
• Onset of Symptoms: When your symptoms started and their duration.

Your comprehensive health history is vital, as it can provide up to 85 percent of the information needed for diagnosis and treatment planning. Lifestyle factors are also considered to identify potential causes of your condition.

Next, a nerve scan using handheld infrared technology will be conducted. This scan detects areas of high temperature, indicating inflammation in soft tissues around the spine. It helps pinpoint the underlying causes contributing to your symptoms. The process is quick and painless, typically taking only a few minutes.

Dr. Ptak will then perform a thorough physical examination to assess the alignment and mobility of your spine. This involves:

• Spinal Position Check: Evaluating the alignment and position of your spine.
• Range of Motion: Observing how well you can move your spine and identify any restrictions.
• Additional Questions: Further inquiries to understand your daily activities and how they may impact your spinal health.

The goal here is to correlate your symptoms with the specific areas of your spine that may be under physical stress.

To accurately evaluate the condition of your spine, two methods are employed:

Posture Evaluation: Dr. Ptak will visually examine your posture from different angles (front, back, and sides). This assessment provides insights into the alignment of your spine.

X-Ray Analysis: Seated X-rays offer detailed images that reveal spinal curvature and any abnormalities. This method is crucial for assessing structural integrity and planning targeted treatment.

By integrating information from your consultation, nerve scan, physical examination, and X-rays, Dr. Ptak develops a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan aims to address your pain, improve your spinal health, and enhance your overall well-being.