Our Lasting Purpose –
Helping you and your family express and maintain
complete
health naturally, without drugs, without surgery, by correcting
subluxations.
GETTING STARTED VIDEO (You
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video)
A first
office visit
consists of you, the patient, meeting the doctor and the office staff.
You will then be asked to fill in a confidential patient history form
that
is detailed and thorough, to help the doctor have the information
necessary
to provide the best possible care.
You will be asked to watch a short
introductory
video explaining chiropractic and the reasons why you sought care at
our
office.
Following a
thorough case
and health history, the doctor performs a detailed spinal examination,
consisting of spinal posture evaluation, computerized spinal
thermography,
leg length measurements, spinal ranges of motion, motion palpation
studies,
and various orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic tests.
In most cases, a series of full
spine X-rays
may be taken to determine subluxations from the occiput to the sacrum,
and to further evaluate your spinal structure and any spinal
degeneration.
Spinal x-rays allow for a "blue print" of your spine which is important
in determining specifically how the spinal segments involved are to be
adjusted. This information will assist the doctor to make your care
more precise.
Other benefits of the X-rays are to rule out pathology or trauma.
(Any necessary X-rays will be
referred
out to the nearest X-ray facility)
At the completion of your initial
examination,
and after the Doctor has reviewed your care, you will then be asked to
return for your next visit to receive your Doctor's Report
of
Findings.
This initial consultation /
examination
visit will usually take approximately 45-60 minutes. (Please
allow ample time for this first visit).
THE
SECOND
VISIT
On your second
visit, The Doctor's Report of Findings,
the
doctor will go over the results of your examination and X-rays with you
to
explain in detail what has been found and the cause of your health
complaint. You will be shown a short video
to help explain these findings.
The Chiropractor will also
go over what
is necessary for health and vitality to return -- and recommend a
schedule
of chiropractic care. The Chiropractor may also make general health
recommendations.
Following his/her go-ahead, the
patient will
then receive the first adjustment(after having had all explained
and a chance to ask questions). After
the
first adjustment(s), some people may experience some tender spots, much
like after starting an exercise program for a short period of time.
However,
most people experience no tenderness at all. Much depends on the
condition
and need for care. If there is some tenderness, this is short-lived and
doesn't re-occur with all visits.The body is remarkable at healing
itself
and this begins at an accelerated pace after the first few adjustments.
This Report of Findings visit
will usually
take approximately 45-60 minutes. (Please allow ample time
for
this visit.
SUBSIQUENT
VISITS
Each
subsequent visit will
consist primarily of your specific
chiropractic adjustments. These
visits
will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
The frequency of
chiropractic adjustments is
determined by which Phase of Care you are in (see below). Frequency of care is also based on each
individual's health complaint,
their age, and their examination findings. As subluxation patterns begin to improve, the
frequency
of adjustments will lessen.
A visit to a chiropractor is
different than
visiting the physician and is not rushed. No long waiting times, and
very
friendly, service-oriented visits are part of the overall Chiropractic
experience.
Recent surveys have
indicated
that patients
report 100% satisfaction with their visit to their Chiropractor's
office.
3 PHASES OF CARE
1.
INITIAL INTENSIVE CARE:This is usually where most patients
begin their chiropractic care. The primary focus in this phase is to reduce or eliminate
most obvious symptoms in the shortest amount of time.
The number of times you visit a chiropractor during this phase of
chiropractic care varies and is dependent upon your specific condition
(subluxation). It is common to see a chiropractor at least 3 times per
week for a few weeks during this phase. It's hard to say how long it
will be until you see relief— it could be as short as a week or up to a
month. If you are not responding to chiropractic care during this
phase, you may be referred to another health-care provider.
2.
REHABILITATIVE/CORRECTIVE CARE: With
pain or symptoms diminished, the objective in this phase of care is to correct any
underlying injury or cause of discomfort, strengthen the muscles, and
improve neuromusculoskeletal function. This phase of care aims to correct
long-term spinal problems. It is important to remember that
many of the conditions for which people seek chiropractic care have
developed over many years; therefore, correcting these problems is a
true rehabilitative process. It helps to understand that it takes time
to correct these conditions.
Because these problems have existed
for some time (months or years), they require longer, more complex
period of care. Specific attention to correcting or improving spinal
alignment as much as possible occurs during this stage of care. Care
may be supplemented by rehabilitation exercises, nutrition, and
modification of daily habits.
Once your discomfort has subsided, you may think all is well and choose
to abandon your efforts. However, if you end your chiropractic care
before fully healing the muscles and soft tissues, you can invite a
relapse. This is a mistake many people make, and it sets them up for
recurring health issues.
It's hard to believe that, after all the time, effort, energy, and
money put into correcting a problem, a patient would choose to forgot
this relatively easy phase of chiropractic care! As much as we'd love
to see you in our office, we'd much
rather assist you in maintaining your health rather than relieving your
pain.
3.
WELLNESS, PREVENTATIVE or
LIFETIME CHIROPRACTIC CARE: With the maximum restoration
of
spinal and nerve system function, many patients electively enjoy
regular Chiropractic maintenance "check-ups" which is designed to maintain your improved health, encourage
normal spinal function, prevent the return of the original condition,
and catch small problems before they become serious.
A good way to
look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry. We all
know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with regular
maintenance and check-ups, the plaque doesn't have a chance. Similarly,
it often takes a long time to develop a spinal misalignment. But with
regular maintenance, the bones will not have a chance to get out of
line.
A personal
wellness chiropractic
care program will be designed specifically for you where we teach you
how to incorporate good nutrition and exercise habits into your
everyday life, thereby promoting vitality, endurance, and the ability
to enjoy life at its fullest.
"Once you start to go,
you
always have to go."....The inference of that statement is that
Chiropractic care is addictive. If continuing to do something that
gives you an increased level of health and vitality is addictive, then
perhaps it is. Most patients who see the huge changes in their energy,
immune function, sleep patterns, lessened pain, and general well-being
choose to maintain regular Chiropractic care as part of their wellness
lifestyle. It soon becomes an integral approach to enjoying a higher
quality of life....Remember,
how long
you wish to enjoy the health benefits of regular Chiropractic care is
always up to YOU!
PROGRESS
AND COMPARATIVE
EXAMS
These will be
performed
at selected time intervals to establish and re-evaluate your condition
(subluxation),
your progress, and to determine which Phase of Care you are in. These
visits may be
scheduled on the same day as an adjustment visit or on a separate visit
and may take
up to 30 minutes. In certain cases, follow-up X-rays may be required to
re-evaluate corrective changes to spinal alignment.
Here are some
ways
you can get faster relief and better results from your chiropractic
care:
GET
INVOLVED. Patients who get involved and assume personal
responsibility for
recovering
their health, seem to get the best results.
KNOWLEDGE
IS POWER. The
more you understand your problem, the better results you'll get. That's
why we offer an information-rich environment and patient education
tools.
Don't be shy to ask any questions.
KEEP
YOUR APPOINTMENTS The way to achieve the results millions
of
chiropractic patients have
enjoyed
is to keep your appointments. The goal of our recommendations is to
reduce
subluxation patterns in your spine. Each visit builds on the ones
before,
so missing a visit can hamper your progress.
STRENGTHEN YOUR
SPINE. Your doctor may suggest specific exercises to help
seed your
recovery. These can help retrain muscles that support your spine.
Massage
therapy and stretching are beneficial too. Inactivity tends to prolong
recovery time.
LIFT
WITH YOUR
LEGS. Improper lifting can invite a relapse. Keep your back
straight
and the load close to your body as you lift with your legs.
AVOID
EXTREME
BENDING. Use caution when bending or working overhead.
Avoid sudden
twists and turns.
IMPROVE YOUR NUTRITION. During the healing process, proper
nutrition is more
important than
ever.
Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods with high
levels
of sugar or white flour. Supplement with quality wholesome vitamins and
minerals as needed.
DRINK
PLENTY OF
WATER. Water plays a key role in healthy joints, nerve
transmission,
waste removal and many bodily functions. Throughout the day, supply
your
body with enough pure water. Distilled water is the best!
ADOPT
HEALTHIER
HABITS. Reduce your consumption of coffee, alcohol and
soda. Stop
smoking!
Get to the proper weight and maintain it. Limit your time with
television
and other media.
GET
ADEQUATE REST. Proper rest is an important aspect of the
healing
process. Get seven to
eight hours of restful sleep each night so your body can make repairs.
Lie on your side or back and use a mattress that offers firm support,
and
avoid sleeping on your stomach. Properly supporting the neck with a
hight
quality cervical pillow is beneficial too.
REDUCE
EMOTIONAL
STRESS. The root of many health problems is unresolved
emotional
issues.
Forgive and forget. Live in the present by giving up the guilt from the
past and the fear of the future.
ATTEND
TO SPIRITURAL
MATTERS. True healing occurs on a spiritual plane. Connect
with
your
higher power through regular prayer, meditation and worship. It's the
source
of lasting results, even miracles.
REMAIN HOPEFUL. Many
health problems arise from years of neglect. It can take just as long,
or longer, to make lasting changes. Keep a positive attitude and remain
optimistic. We are!
REFER OTHERS. Share your chiropractic experience with
others.
Explain the
relationship
between proper spinal function and nervous system function - the
key
to health.