If you've never been to a chiropractor before, the first visit can feel like a bit of a black box. People often arrive nervous, unsure what to expect, and worried that they'll be locked into a long course of expensive care before they really understand what's wrong.
That's not how a first visit should go. Here's exactly how we run them at Premier Alignment.
Before you arrive
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in — athletic wear, loose pants, a t-shirt. Avoid restrictive clothing, belts, or buckles. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if applicable, and any previous imaging or medical records that might be relevant.
Try to arrive ten minutes early so you can fill out the new-patient intake form. We'll send the form ahead by email so you can review it before you come in.
The conversation (about 15 minutes)
The first thing we'll do is sit down and talk. Why are you here? What's been going on? When did it start? What have you tried? What are you hoping to get back to doing?
This isn't a checkbox interview — it's a real conversation. The goal is to understand the whole picture: not just the symptom, but how it's affecting your life, what you've already ruled out, and what success looks like for you.
The physical exam (about 20 minutes)
Next we do a thorough hands-on assessment. This usually includes:
- Postural analysis — how you stand, sit, and move
- Range-of-motion testing — measuring how far each joint moves
- Orthopedic testing — specific manoeuvres that help identify which structures are involved
- Neurological screening — reflexes, sensation, strength
- Palpation — manually feeling the muscles, joints, and tissues of the affected areas
Everything is explained as it happens. There are no surprises and no proprietary "scanners" or unverifiable tests.
The findings and plan (about 10 minutes)
This is the part most people don't expect: we sit back down and walk you through what we found. What's likely causing the issue, what we'd recommend doing about it, and how long it should take.
You'll get a clear, time-bound treatment plan — not an open-ended package. Typical chronic issues are 6 to 12 visits over 6 to 8 weeks. Acute strains are often 3 to 5 visits. Some things resolve in one or two visits.
If we don't think chiropractic is the right approach for what's going on, we'll tell you and refer you somewhere appropriate.
The first treatment (about 15 minutes)
In most cases we'll provide your first adjustment that same visit. This is usually a combination of:
- Spinal or joint adjustments — specific, targeted manual movements that restore mobility
- Soft tissue work — addressing the muscles and fascia around the joints
- Take-home guidance — one or two specific exercises to do between visits
You'll feel a real difference after the first visit in many cases. Most people walk out with more range of motion than they came in with.
Total time
Plan on about 60 minutes for your first visit. Follow-ups are typically 20 to 30 minutes.
Cost and insurance
We'll be transparent about cost before any treatment happens. You'll never be billed for something we didn't discuss with you first.
Ready to book? Send us a message or use the booking link at the top of any page. We typically have same-week availability for new patients.