GETTING STARTED
Regardless of the service you choose, if you are a new patient or a returning patient after two years you must book a
New Patient Appointment.
If you are a returning patient after 1 year or coming in with a new problem, please book a Returning Patient Appointment.
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The overall goal of these appointment types is to allow Nic to review your medical history, evaluate your current health, pinpoint your specific issue and ascertain how best to treat your condition.
NEW PATIENT APPOINTMENT
MEDICAL
HISTORY
01
The first step of the appointment involves reviewing your current medical status and history. This includes:
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Discussing your current complaint to better understand your problem.
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Discussing your other medical history including fractures, surgeries, medical conditions, systemic symptoms, as well as medications and pertinent family history.
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Screening for red flags.
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Discussing what your treatment goals are to better understand how care can help you do the activities you care about.
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Discussing your exercise, diet, sleep, work and other lifestyle factors to better understand how these may be influencing your current complaint.
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​Next will be an in-depth examination tailored to your particular complaint and reported symptoms. The exam will vary by patient and condition but may include:
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Taking vitals signs
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Visual inspection
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Range of motion evaluation and movement screening - looking at how you perform basic movements such as bending, extending, rotating, as well as more complex movements such as squatting, hip hinging, pressing etc. to better understand what you can and cannot do.
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Relevant neurological testing - assessing nerve integrity through motor, reflex and sensory testing as well as other more in depth assessment of cranial nerves, cerebellar function etc. as needed.
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Orthopaedic testing intended to help narrow down joints or tissue involved in your current complaint.
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Palpation - feeling through joints and musculature for areas of pain, tenderness, tightness etc. to help further identify implicated joints and tissues in your complaint.
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EXAMINATION
02
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
03
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Following the exam, Nic will share his diagnosis and outline recommended treatment. If required referrals for imaging will be made or findings will be sent to your medical doctor.
Depending on the nature and complexity of your complaint, your health status and time, you can expect to receive some treatment on your first visit, however this cannot be guaranteed. Some conditions may require a referral before treatment can be deemed safe and appropriate.
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Some individuals may get better quicker, some may take longer - this is part of the unpredictable nature of healthcare. In most cases it will be unrealistic to expect resolution of a complaint or dramatic improvement in less than 3 visits, and by the same token you will never be recommended to undertake dozens of visits.