A Guide to Your First Appointment
So if you’re anything like us, you might be a little…
Hesitant about anything that even remotely resembles a doctors office? Scared of getting your back popped? Confused about what to wear to an appointment like this? Concerned about cost? Or just want some more information before you make the decision to schedule or not?
Look no further. We’ve compiled a quick list of FAQs that should help you smoothly navigate your first appointment and put your mind at ease.
How do I schedule/what kind of appointment do I need?
You can schedule one of two ways: through our online booking platform here or by calling the office during office hours at 531-510-0726. If you’ve never been in before, you will select the “New Patient Evaluation + Treatment” 60-minute appointment.
Do I need to do anything before my appointment?
Yes, fill out the intake form online OR come 5 minutes early to your appointment to fill it out in the office. If you book online, you will receive directions on how to do this.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment. We will be moving a lot during the appointment, and tight or restricting clothing makes this difficult. Also make sure we can access the area we will be working on (i.e., if you have a shoulder complaint, wear a tank top; if you have a knee complaint, wear shorts). If you are unable to wear comfy clothing to your appointment, consider bringing some to change into once you get here.
Do you take insurance?
We are a cash-pay office, meaning we do not submit to insurance. We value transparency, so our prices are flat rates that are consistent with each appointment, regardless of the services provided. The first appointment is $150, and all follow-ups are $75. We chose this model for our office so we could have complete freedom to structure treatments however is best fit for the patient without having to worry about inconsistencies or limitations within different insurance plans/coverages. Oftentimes our cash rates end up being very comparable, or even cheaper, than insurance rates! And if you wish to submit to your insurance yourself, we are more than happy to provide you with a superbill. (“What’s a superbill”, you ask? It’s basically an “insurance receipt” that will have specific codes on it that tells the company what services were provided. If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be able to get reimbursed for your visit or get the amount counted toward your deductible.)
What if I’m nervous about getting “cracked”?
You are not alone in this! Many people are apprehensive about manual adjustments or the “crack” associated with them. While the adjustment is completely safe, and screens are performed beforehand to ensure this safety, we understand and have plenty of other options when it comes to treatment. A manual adjustment is never something we HAVE to do if it is outside your comfort level. There are plenty of other ways to treat your complaint other than the manual adjustment (i.e., instrument-assisted low force adjustments, soft tissue modalities, and various exercises & stretches). Remember, this appointment is for YOU, and your preferences will be the primary guide of treatment.
What will happen during the first appointment?
The first appointment includes both the evaluation and treatment. This means that the first part will be all about assessing your injury/complaint, doing a movement exam and any other necessary tests, educating you on what’s going on, discussing any questions you have, and determining a course of action. Then we get right into it! Treatment is completely custom to YOU, but normally includes a blend of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue/muscle work, dry needling, and corrective exercises.
Do you take x-rays?
We do not take x-rays here in the office. We treat your condition primarily based on what we find during your movement assessment rather than findings on an x-ray. If we think that imaging is necessary (such as in the case of a trauma, fall, car accident, etc.) we can refer you out for them so we can continue treatment. Imaging can be a useful tool, but in most cases it can also tell us things we already know and doesn’t change our course of treatment. If an image does not change the way we manage the condition, there is no reason to spend money on it!
What if I can’t make my appointment or need to reschedule?
If something comes up and you can no longer make your appointment or need to reschedule, please either call the office, leave us a voicemail, DM us on Instagram, or send us an email with at least 24 hours notice and we are happy to accommodate you. To protect the time of staff and other patients, we do have a cancellation/rescheduling policy of at least 24 hours notice. Any “late cancel” appointment will be subject to a fee of $35, and any missed appointments without notice will be charged the full amount of the appointment. Need to let us know on the weekend about rescheduling a Monday appointment? No problem—still call 24 hours in advance and leave a voicemail, shoot us an email, or send us a DM. We appreciate the cooperation!
What if I am not in any pain? Can/should I still come in for treatment?
If you’re not struggling with any pain, that is awesome! Of course we help people get out of pain, but we also provide preventive and performance-focused care. Based on your movement screen, we can target areas of your body that may not be moving optimally that could eventually lead to pain or injury in the future. We not only love to help people get out of pain, but stay out of pain. We would also love to spend time with you going over lifting mechanics, weightlifting technique, or just general movement strategy in general. The options are endless and we would love to help with whatever your goals are!
How many visits will it take for me to get better?
Every case is different, and there’s no way to tell without doing an evaluation, but we highly value transparency in our office and will never recommend something we don’t think is in your best interest. A big concern we hear from people is that they’re afraid to even start going to a chiropractor because they’ve heard “once you start going, you have to go forever”, and that is simply not the case. Our goal is to get you to a point where you don’t even need us anymore. That being said, some people are on the opposite end of the spectrum and expect to be better in one visit. Most pain and injuries are not overnight fixes, so it will likely take more than one visit to reach full healing.
Do you treat kids/babies?
We can adapt our techniques for children ages 5 and older. If you are seeking care for your infant or child under 5 years of age, we have some wonderful colleagues in our network who specialize in pediatrics that we would be happy to refer you to! Our biggest priority is ensuring you get the best care possible for your particular needs.
If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call. We offer free phone consultations to anyone wanting more information before booking. Thanks for being here, and we look forward to serving you soon. 🙂
