What to Expect During Your First Visit to Our Chiropractic Clinic

Booking your first appointment with a chiropractor can feel like a big step. At Centre Chiropratique Des Sources, our goal is to make that first visit reassuring, empowering, and supportive. Whether you’re coming in for back or neck injuries, headaches, joint pain or stiffness, or simply to improve your overall quality of life, your experience is designed to be thorough, personalized, and tailored to your health goals.

Meet Your Chiropractic Team

From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed by Lynda Oliver, Chiropractic Assistant. With nearly 20 years of experience in the chiropractic profession, Lynda helps you feel at ease, answers your questions, and guides you through the process with care and compassion.

Together, they offer a blend of experience, evidence-based care, and a warm, family-oriented approach to chiropractic care.

Step 1: A Conversation About You

Your first visit begins with a detailed discussion of your health, lifestyle, and goals.

Your chiropractor will:

• Review your health history and any previous or current medical diagnoses, tests and examinations
• Ask about work, past injuries or hospitalizations, stress, and physical activities
• Explore your current symptoms, but also how they affect your activities of daily living, sleep, mood, mobility, and level of ability or disability

This visit is about diagnosing the cause of your pain, understanding how your spine and nervous system may be influencing your overall quality of life, and establishing a treatment plan to move forward. 

Step 2: A Comprehensive Examination
(Including X-rays When Needed)

Next, your chiropractor performs a complete neuromusculoskeletal examination, which will include:

• Orthopedic and Neurological examination
• Range of motion testing
• Postural assessment
• Palpation of the spine and joints to identify areas of tension or restricted movement
• Other appropriate physical examinations, such as strength or balance testing, when necessary

When clinically indicated, spinal X-rays are offered on site. These images help your chiropractor visualize or detect:

• Scoliosis, fractures, dislocations, calcifications, stenosis, etc. 
• Cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine health and alignment
• Areas of stress or degeneration
• Contraindications to care
• Underlying conditions that may require medical referral for care

This careful approach supports safe, precise chiropractic treatment and a clearer long-term plan.

Further imaging, such as an MRI or ultrasound, may be necessary. In these cases, we work with our patients to identify the easiest solution for access to this advanced imaging.

Step 3: Understanding Your Spine and Nervous System

Once the complete examination and any X-rays are reviewed, your chiropractor establishes a diagnosis and explains:

• Examination findings
• How these findings may be influencing your nervous system and overall well-being
• How these findings relate to any symptoms you’re experiencing
• What the diagnosis is, and an appropriate treatment plan of management

Step 4: Consent to Care

This is, without a doubt, the most important step in the initial process. As chiropractors, we have the utmost respect for our patients and obtaining consent to care is of the highest importance. 

During this step, we encourage you to ask questions, as we have an important conversation to ensure that you understand your diagnosis, what is going on, and the proposed plan of management. 

Step 5: Your First Adjustment and Care Plan

Generally, your first chiropractic treatment occurs at a subsequent visit, and rarely at the initial visit. However, it may be indicated to start treatment earlier. Such cases where earlier treatment might be considered include acute pain cases involving pregnant or pediatric patients. Chiropractic care is safe, and often includes specific movements applied to spinal or peripheral joints to help:

• Improve joint mobility
  
• Support healthier communication between the brain and body
  
• Encourage your body’s natural capacity to self-regulate and heal
  

Your chiropractor will then outline a personalized care plan, which may include:

• A series of chiropractic adjustments
  
• Exercise and posture recommendations
  
• Lifestyle and ergonomic advice to support long-term wellness and health
• General nutrition recommendations

In some instances, collaboration with or referral to your medical doctor or team may be indicated. As chiropractors, we are trained to identify these cases to ensure that our patients receive the proper care. 

How to Prepare for Your First Visit

To make the most of your appointment:

• Arrive a few minutes early to complete any forms, or fill out forms that have been sent to you via e-mail
• Bring previous imaging or reports if available
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement
• Think about your health goals: more energy, better mobility, improved sleep, staying active as you age, decreasing stress, etc.

We’re Here to Support Your Health Journey

At our chiropractic clinic in the West Island, every first visit is the beginning of a partnership focused on better function, better movement, and better quality of life. Whether for help with pain or injury, or to work to maintain and improve function, any day is a good day to address your neuromusculoskeletal needs.

If you’re ready to discover how chiropractic care may support your health and well-being, we invite you to contact our team and schedule your first visit with Dr Renée Dallaire, chiropractor or Dr Camille Dallaire-Dahlager, chiropractor, today.