Visiting the chiropractor can do wonders for your health and wellness. However, successful chiropractic treatments involve more than just a competent chiropractor. They require the patient to be active and involved in their own treatments. Here are three ways to get more out of your chiropractic appointments by being an engaged, proactive patient.

Give an accurate and complete health history.

You might think that a health issue you suffered from 10 years ago is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the problems your chiropractor is helping you address now – but that's not always the case. Problems that seem unrelated may be more related than you think, especially to a chiropractor, since chiropractors tend to treat the body as a whole. A complete health history can help your chiropractor get a better picture of what underlying issues you might be dealing with. So, give your chiropractor as many details about your past health as possible, and leave it to them to filter out what's important and what's not.

Talk about any and all symptoms you've experienced.

If you're seeing your chiropractor about neck or back pain, for example, you may think telling them about the nausea you've been experiencing or the allergy symptoms you're suffering from is irrelevant. However, as previously mentioned, chiropractors take a whole-body approach to health. Spinal misalignments can press on nerves, and since nerves to control most all aspects of your bodily function run though your spine, there's a good chance your chiropractor can help you with those seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Ask for homework – and do it.

When your chiropractor is finished adjusting your spine, ask what you can do at home to help enhance your treatment or prolong its effects. Your chiropractor may give you exercises to do, dietary changes to make, or lifestyle recommendations to follow. Then, when you return home, follow this advice as closely as you can. If you have questions, call your chiropractor and ask them. The more effort you put in as a patient, the more information your chiropractor will want to share with you – because you'll be showing that you're genuinely interested in what they have to offer.

If you enter a chiropractor's office at a clinic like Health Atlast Fountain Valley with the goal of starting and maintaining an open, honest dialogue about your health, your results are likely to be better because you'll receive more comprehensive treatment. Remember to be honest about your health history and symptoms, and to perform any suggested exercises or treatments at home as recommended.