If you have never seen a Chiropractor before, it is natural to wonder what you are walking into. Will it hurt? Do they just start clicking things straight away? What do they actually need to know?
The short answer is: your first visit looks nothing like what most people expect. There are no rushed appointments, no assumptions, and no Adjustments made before we have a clear and accurate picture of what is going on. Here is exactly what to expect — and why the assessment is the single most important step toward getting real, lasting results.
Your First Two Visits: What to Expect
At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, the new patient journey is structured across two appointments. This is deliberate. The better we define the problem, the better the results — and defining the problem properly takes time and thoroughness.
Visit One: The Assessment
Listening First
Your first visit begins with a detailed one-to-one consultation. We start by listening. We take a full health history — understanding what has been going on, how long it has been happening, and how it is affecting your daily life. Nothing is rushed.
We want to understand your concern fully — not just the location of your pain, but the full picture. Previous injuries, surgeries, and broader health history all give us important context that shapes how we approach your care.
The In-Depth Assessment
Once we have heard your story, we carry out a thorough series of clinical tests. This includes a structural analysis, a movement examination, a full spinal assessment from top to bottom, and a neurological exam to assess how your nervous system is currently functioning.
At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, this examination follows the Gonstead method — widely regarded as the gold standard in Chiropractic analysis. Rather than relying on symptoms alone, we use objective, measurable criteria to build a precise picture of your spinal health:
Visualisation — We observe your posture, symmetry, and movement. How you stand and hold yourself tells us a great deal before we have even touched the spine.
Instrumentation — A neurocalometer scans the spine and detects temperature differences on either side of the vertebral column. These differentials indicate areas of nerve irritation and inflammation — objectively, not based on what you feel.
Static Palpation — We feel the spine at rest, assessing for swelling, tissue changes, and muscle tension that indicate a subluxation.
Motion Palpation — Each spinal segment is assessed for how it moves, identifying joints that are restricted or functioning abnormally.
Further Tests if Needed
If X-rays or any additional tests are required, your Chiropractor will advise you clearly by the end of your first visit. X-rays are arranged externally and carry a separate cost. Where they are indicated, they allow us to measure the precise position of each vertebra, assess disc health, and identify the exact correction required — a level of detail that simply is not possible from surface examination alone.
You will always know exactly what is needed, the costs involved and why before anything is arranged.
Visit Two: Results, Your Care Plan, and Your First Adjustment
Your second visit is where everything comes together.
Your Chiropractor reviews all of the findings with you in plain language — what is causing your issue, why, and the best plan to address it. No jargon. No assumptions. Just a clear, honest explanation of what we found and what we recommend.
If you are happy to proceed, your first Adjustment also takes place at this visit. This, as well as the costs involved, is explained in full before you commit to anything, and there is no pressure — you are in complete control at every stage.
Our promise is this: by the end of your second visit, you will know more about your issue than ever before — what is causing it, why, and what your options are — along with a tailored plan to address it. If we cannot help you, we will tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.
Why the Assessment Is the Most Important Appointment
We want to be direct about this, because it matters more than most people realise.
The assessment is not a formality before the "real" treatment begins. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built. The quality of your results depends directly on how accurately the problem is defined at the start.
A Chiropractic Adjustment delivered to the wrong level, or in the wrong direction, does not help — and may make things worse. Precision requires information, and information comes from a thorough, structured examination.
The better we understand your spine — its structure, its history, the exact nature and location of the problem — the more specific and effective every subsequent Adjustment can be. This is the difference between guessing and knowing. Between a shotgun approach and a sniper's precision.
Patients who invest in a proper assessment get better results. Not because the Adjustments are somehow different, but because they are targeted correctly from the very first session. The assessment removes the guesswork entirely — and that is why we never rush it, skip it, or treat it as anything other than the most important appointment in your care.
What Does It Cost?
As of June 2026 (the time of writing this), both your first and second visits are included in the initial £87 fee. The fee is fully refundable if you cancel with more than 24 hours notice. There is no obligation beyond the assessment — if you decide not to proceed after your second visit, that is entirely your choice and there is no pressure either way.
Follow-up pricing options are explained clearly at the end of your second visit, once your care plan has been agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral? No. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners, which means you can book directly without seeing your GP first. If we find anything during the examination that requires medical attention or a second opinion, we will advise you and refer you appropriately.
Is parking available? Yes. There is free parking on site at John Eccles House, Oxford Science Park, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4GP.
What should I wear? Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal. We need to be able to assess the spine thoroughly, so clothing that allows access to the back is helpful.
Will the assessment be painful? The examination is not painful for most people, though some areas may be sensitive to touch where inflammation is present. Everything is explained before it is done, and you are in control throughout.
What if Chiropractic is not right for me? We will tell you honestly. If your examination reveals something outside our scope, or if another form of care would serve you better, we will say so clearly and point you in the right direction.
Can I ask questions before I book? Absolutely. You can WhatsApp us at 441865597785 or call 01865 597785 — we are happy to help.
Ready to Book?
Your first step toward understanding what is really happening with your spine starts with a thorough assessment. Book your initial consultation at Northwood Chiropractic Oxford today.
👉 Book online at northwoodchiropracticoxford.co.uk/book-online
Published: 2nd July 2025 Author: Dr Steven Hulme, Chiropractor — Northwood Chiropractic Oxford
