Most of my new patients find my practice thru friends, coworkers, neighbors or family members that have been happy with, and trust, the care I bring to my patients.
I have educated my patients to inform prospective patients to try not to prejudge what they may think a chiropractic adjustment is like, and not to fear it. The general public is usually not aware that there are many techniques a Chiropractor is well educated in to choose from, to address different spinal conditions. I have found that each Chiropractor is as unique as an artist in how we apply our craft. The majority of the general public has a preconceived picture in their minds that if they go to a Chiropractor, they will need to have their bones manually twisted or pressed on. While Chiropractors are highly educated to perform these familiar techniques, which are far more science based than they may appear, and their efficacy and safety is reflected in the fact that in most states, the yearly premium for Chiropractic malpractice insurance is under $2,000, I have always chosen to use several well known systems of gentle low force techniques in my practice that involve no twisting or manually pushing on bones, specifically for the fact that I feel patients are less intimidated by it. If a new patient prefers the traditional type of care, I happily find Chiropractors who are highly skilled in those areas to refer them to.
I have always offered a welcome to prospective patients to come and observe a treatment, and usually once they see how non threatening our low force techniques appear, they have no qualms about beginning care. If going to the chiropractor is a new experience for you, don’t worry! We’re here to answer your questions, address any concerns you may have and help educate and guide you to make the best choice and help you to find the right place for you that feels like home.
New Patients
The initial visit to our office is quite lengthy, and will require close to 2 hours of time. My patients will tell you, I am annoyingly thorough! As most new patients are in pain, I do not feel comfortable making them wait to return for treatment, so unless it is determined upon examination that there is a need to order outside imaging before treatment begins, or that another type of care may be needed instead, your first visit will include a consultation, examination, and your first adjustment. The consultation includes lengthy questions of discovery that will begin from your birth, to present time, covering any complications during your birth, childhood accidents, school sports injuries, moving on to any auto accidents, slips, falls, sports injuries, work habits, past and current exercise and dietary routines, family history and general health overview.
All these things matter, and help lead to the discovery of not only what is presently causing any pain, but what has the potential to cause your spine to wear and degenerate in the future, and place more work than is necessary on other joints, such as knees, and hips, leading to repair or replacement over time. Areas of ligament or muscle weakness that need to be addressed to prevent reoccurring issues will be revealed on this visit.
Next, a thorough examination with an overview of postural and gait analysis, Orthopedic checks, Neurological system scan of reflexes, muscle strength, balance issues, and Chiropractic evaluation for vertebral subluxation, scoliosis, and extremity issues will be performed to determine the type of care needed. If there does not appear to be any contraindications for Chiropractic care to proceed, and if imaging does not need to be ordered prior to treatment, if I do not determine you require a medical referral for any suspicious signs or symptoms, then we will next proceed with the first adjustment.
After the adjustment, we will discuss everything that was discovered, give recommendations for home care, and schedule a return visit to follow up. When we see how you have responded on your follow up visit, those results will determine how soon your next treatment should be. I follow what your joints, ligaments, and muscles reveal to me upon each visit to determine your level of care. I do not have a system of care that I plug every patient into. Every patient is an individual, and receives their unique individual treatment plan, based on their bodies response.