How I Treat: A Walk Through a First-Time Appointment with Dr. Lucas
What to expect when you step into Coastal Motion Chiropractic for the first time
If you’ve never seen a chiropractor—or if you’ve had past experiences that left you with more questions than answers—this post is for you.
At Coastal Motion Chiropractic, we approach every client as a whole human, not just a sore back or stiff neck. Whether you’re here for pain relief, injury recovery, performance tuning, or just curious about how your body moves, my goal is simple: to understand what’s really going on and give you clear, grounded support to feel better and move better.
Here’s a full walk-through of what happens during a first appointment with me, Dr. Lucas Bennett.
Step 1: A Warm Welcome
When you walk into the clinic, you won’t be greeted by a sterile, rushed environment. We’ve intentionally designed Coastal Motion to feel calm, open, and supportive—because healing starts with how you feel, not just what you’re treated for.
You’ll be welcomed at the front desk and given a short intake form to complete (if you haven’t already online). Then we’ll head into the treatment room to begin your session.
Step 2: Deep Listening & Case History
Before we do any movement or treatment, I want to understand you—not just your symptoms.
We’ll sit down and talk through:
- What’s been bothering you
- When it started and how it’s changed
- What makes it better or worse
- Your work, lifestyle, hobbies, and stress levels
- Past injuries, treatments, and overall health
This isn’t just about gathering data—it’s about getting the full picture so I can treat you effectively and safely. Often, the real issue isn’t just where it hurts—it’s how your body’s been compensating, sometimes for years.
Step 3: Functional Assessment
Once I’ve got a clear history, we move into a functional movement and posture assessment. This includes:
- Joint mobility testing
- Range of motion checks
- Basic strength and balance evaluation
- Gait and posture observations
- Orthopedic or neurological testing (if needed)
This helps me pinpoint restrictions, imbalances, and compensations that might be contributing to your pain or limiting your performance.
You’ll also learn a lot in this step—I explain what I’m seeing and why it matters as we go. My goal is to help you understand your body, not just treat it.
Step 4: Treatment (Tailored to You)
Every treatment plan is individual. If it’s appropriate and you’re comfortable, we’ll move into your first hands-on session during this appointment. This could include:
- Gentle chiropractic adjustments (no cracking unless you want it—and we always explain first)
- Soft tissue release to ease muscular tension
- Dry needling (optional and only if clinically appropriate)
- Joint mobilisation
- Neuromuscular techniques for stability and balance
- Breath and nervous system support
- Guided rehab or movement cues
You’re never rushed. I explain every step, check in with your comfort levels, and adjust based on your feedback.
Step 5: Movement Advice & What Comes Next
We finish your session with a game plan. You’ll leave with:
- A clear understanding of what we found
- An overview of what’s contributing to the issue
- Movement tips or exercises (often simple and short)
- What to expect in the next few days
- Recommendations for follow-up (or referral if needed)
Some people feel immediate relief, others feel a little sore (like post-workout), and some feel subtle changes that grow over time. Everyone is different—and that’s the point. You’re not a one-size-fits-all body, and I don’t treat you like one.
Final Thoughts
Your first appointment with me isn’t just a tick-the-box visit. It’s a starting point for a genuine, ongoing partnership in your health and movement journey.
If you’ve been holding off on getting help because of bad past experiences or fear of the unknown, I hope this gives you clarity—and maybe a bit of confidence to take that next step.
You’re welcome here—whether you’re in pain, feeling off, or just want to understand your body better.