Initial Consultation Form
Informed Consent for Chiropractic Treatment of your Pain
The nature of chiropractic treatment:
The doctor will use his/her hands or a mechanical device to manipulate the area treated. You may feel or hear a “click” or “pop” and you may feel movement. Chiropractic treatment also includes activity advice, exercise, hot or cold packs, laser treatment, or electric stimulation. Your chiropractor will recommend treatment he/she determines is most appropriate for your condition.
Possible risks:
Chiropractic treatment for pain is safe and the majority of patients experience decreases in pain and improved mobility. Approximately 30% of patients experience slight increased pain in the treatment area, possibly due to minor strain of muscle, tendon, or ligament. When this occurs within the first few days of treatment, the increased pain is brief and returns to baseline or improves over the next few days. Increased pain may also occur with exercise, heat, cold, laser treatment, and electrical stimulation. Possible skin irritation or burns may occur with thermal, laser or electrical therapy.
Serious bodily harm is extremely rare and not an inherent risk of chiropractic treatment. Many variables can adversely affect one’s health, including previous injury, medications, osteoporosis, cancer and other illness, disease or condition. When these conditions are present, chiropractic treatment may be associated with serious adverse events, such as fracture, dislocation, or aggravation of previous injury to ligaments, intervertebral discs, nerves, or spinal cord. Symptoms of stroke or cerebrovascular injury alert patients to seek medical and/or chiropractic care. Your chiropractor is aware of this association and when appropriate may assess for symptoms and signs of stroke. Please inform your chiropractor of all medications you are taking, including blood thinners, any surgeries you have had and any other medical condition you have had, including osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, stroke, fracture or previous severe injury.
Other options for the treatment of pain include:
Do nothing or live with the pain, over the counter medications, physical therapy, medical care, injections, or surgery. There are hundreds of other treatments for pain. Most treatments that have potential benefit also have potential risk. You are encouraged to ask questions regarding the possible risks of chiropractic treatment, and you may use the space below for this purpose.
By entering my name below, it confirms that I have read the paragraphs above and that I understand what my chiropractor has told me about possible risks of chiropractic treatment and that I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have my questions answered. Also, I have fully disclosed to my chiropractor my medical history regarding the above specified complicating factors and all other conditions that have caused me pain in the past.