Your examination at Precision Chiropractic is designed to help us determine whether there is a meaningful upper cervical or spinal problem and whether our approach is appropriate for you.
Rather than beginning with an adjustment, we first gather information. We want to understand your history, how your symptoms developed, what injuries or previous treatments may be relevant, and what objective findings are present.
The goal is to build a clear picture of what may be contributing to the problem before deciding how to address it.
Your Health and Injury History
We begin by reviewing your current concerns as well as relevant previous injuries, accidents, surgeries, health conditions, and treatments.
Certain problems—particularly those involving the upper cervical spine—may be influenced by injuries that occurred years earlier, including whiplash, sports injuries, falls, or other trauma.
Your history helps us understand what may have led to the changes we see during the examination.
Objective Examination
Your examination may include a combination of:
- Postural assessment
- Range-of-motion testing
- Orthopedic examination
- Neurological examination
- Upper cervical and spinal assessment
- Functional and movement testing
- Other objective measurements when clinically appropriate
The exact examination varies depending on the individual patient.
We are not simply looking for where you hurt. We are looking for patterns of dysfunction that may help explain why the problem is occurring.
Advanced Imaging When Appropriate
When clinically indicated, advanced imaging allows us to evaluate the anatomy and relationships of the upper cervical spine and craniocervical junction in greater detail.
Imaging is not used simply to look for a bone that appears “out of place.”
It is one part of a larger evaluation that helps us understand your individual anatomy and determine whether the findings from your history, examination, and imaging fit together in a clinically meaningful way.
Why We Don’t Adjust First and Ask Questions Later
Before recommending an upper cervical correction, we want to understand what problem we are trying to address, why we believe it is relevant, and how we will know whether it is improving.
This is why the examination and imaging process is such an important part of our approach.
What Happens After the Examination?
Once we have gathered the necessary information, we review the findings and determine whether upper cervical care appears appropriate.
We will explain:
- What we found
- What we believe those findings mean
- Whether an upper cervical problem appears clinically relevant
- What type of care we would recommend
- How progress will be evaluated
Our goal is for you to understand why we are making a recommendation rather than simply being told that you “need adjustments.”
What Should You Wear?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily during the examination.
If you have relevant previous imaging, medical records, or test results, you are welcome to bring them with you.
Have Questions Before Your Examination?
If you are unsure whether our examination process is appropriate for your situation, the best place to start is a consultation.
