How do I know if I need a chiropractor?

You don’t – at least not until a consultation (which is always complimentary) and a comprehensive Neuro-Structural Examination is performed.

Sure, you could have pain and symptoms indicating that your body needs help – but they are only one piece of the puzzle.

The consultation helps us understand your unique health history while the examination will help determine if you have a core problem with your spine and nervous system that we can help you with.

If the examination reveals that you do have a core problem with your spine and nervous system, it will also help us determine the extent of the damage, as well as what is necessary to help fix this problem.

However, if the examination does not reveal a core problem with your spine and nervous system, then your health problem is not something that we can help you with. If this is the case, we will refer you to a health care practitioner who will better suit your needs.

What types of issues can a chiropractor help with?

Here is a quick list of just some of the health challenges that have been helped in our office through Neuro-Structural Chiropractic care:

  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Shoulder problems
  • Arm and hand pain, numbness and tingling
  • Many spinal conditions such as degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, scoliosis and pelvic problems
  • Postural issues
  • Digestive issues
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Sleep problems
  • Neurologic disorders
  • Balance and coordination issues
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Asthma and other respiratory issues
  • Allergies
  • Colic
  • Hip and leg pain
  • Sciatica
  • Heartburn
  • Back pain
  • Lack of mobility
  • High blood pressure
  • Immune System challenges
  • Whiplash
  • Premenstrual discomfort
  • Infertility
  • Pregnancy related problems/pain
  • Stress
  • Vertigo
  • Otitis media
  • Arthritis

To be completely clear, the goal of chiropractic is NOT to cure or treat any disease, condition or symptom.

In each of the above cases, the focus of care was on correcting core problems with their spine and nervous system, which were interfering with how their brain and body were functioning and communicating; ultimately giving their body a better chance to heal, repair and express greater health.

What should I expect on my first visit?

We understand that your time is precious. So our first priority is to determine if you are in the right place.

This is why we have you start by filling out our Health Profile.  This Profile asks very specific questions, which give us insight into your uniqueness and help detail your past and present health challenges.

Once the Doctor has had a chance to review your completed Health Profile, they will then sit down with you and have a conversation.

Consultation:

The consultation is a conversation – and its complimentary!  That is because we take this time to get to know you better; review and gain clarity on your Health Profile answers; determine your goals and objectives you hope to achieve – and ultimately make sure that we are the right office for you.

If anything in your Health Profile review suggests that you could have a core problem with your spine and nervous system, then we will recommend moving on to a Comprehensive Neuro-Structural Examination to dig deeper into what’s going on.

Examination:

As we dig deeper with the examination, we are looking to:

  • Assess for any shifting of your spine that could be irritating or interfering with your nervous system.
  • Determine if this damage is causing or at least contributing to your health challenge(s).
  • Figure out what type of care (including frequency) is necessary to help correct your health challenge.

We use objective tests to determine if and how these spinal shifts are affecting your health. Including:

Detailed Postural Analysis – This test measures for postural distortions, which reflect any challenges to the structural integrity of your spine.

Range of Motion Analysis – This test measures how well your spine moves through a variety of specific movements.

Balance Assessment – This test assesses for compromise to your systems that control balance, including the necessary communication pathways from your body (joints, muscles and other soft tissues) to your brain.

Advanced Palpation Examination – This hands-on analysis allows the doctor to evaluate the movement and position of your spinal vertebrae.

+ Any additional relevant functional or structural tests necessary, based on your customized needs (i.e. orthopaedic tests or x-rays)

Once the examination is complete, we have some homework to do!

We will spend time analyzing your test results and come up with customized recommendations for you.  Then, we will sit down with you and review all of your results, including:

  • Explaining exactly what is going on.
  • What options you have.
  • How we can best serve you.
  • How long it will take.
  • How much it will cost.

Once all your questions have been answered and you and your doctor can agree to a customized plan of action to help solve your problem, you can start your care immediately.

Once I go to the chiropractor, will I have to go forever?

Short answer?  No. You don’t HAVE to do anything – and we certainly won’t make you do anything you are not comfortable with.

Plus, you can stop care at any time and we won’t even be mad!

We do things differently!  Once we have completed our Comprehensive Neuro-Structural Exam, we will sit down with you and explain the results of each of your tests.  We will then provide you with a customized plan of action to help you correct the core problems related to your health concerns.

After you have completed your initial corrective care, we will perform a Neuro-Structural Progress Exam.  Based on your test results and your goals, you can then make some new choices about your care going forward – which may include protecting your investment or discontinuing your care.  The choice is yours!

How many times will I have to come?

The number of visits you will need depends largely on three main factors:

  1. Your goals and objectives – what results are you aiming to achieve?
  2. How bad your problem really is – how much damage has happened?
  3. How long your problem has been going on for – is it new or has it been brewing for a long time?

The primary goal of the consultation and examination is to answer these very questions.

Based on these three factors and the results from your Neuro-Structural Examination, we will create a customized plan of action to help you get the results you want.

How will we know if it’s working?

Because everyone is unique in how quickly they heal and regain function, we will perform regular check-in’s by doing progress examinations to make sure that you are on the right track and your recommended frequency is moving you towards achieving your goals.

We realize this isn’t a very specific answer, but that is the challenge when working with uniquely complex individuals – and we love a great challenge!

To give you a more accurate answer that is specific to you, take advantage of our complimentary consultation.

Combining that conversation with our experience in helping past practice members (clients) similar to you, we can offer a better estimate before going any further.

How long will it take before I see results?

Once we have completed your consultation and Neuro-Structural Examination, we will have a more accurate idea of whether or not our office is the best fit for you.

If we believe we can help you achieve your desired health goals, then we will create a customized plan of action that will be influenced by the following factors:

  1. The results you are looking for;
  2. The nature of your problem and how long it’s been there;
  3. The results from your Neuro-Structural Examination.

These three factors are key in determining how much time it will take to achieve your desired results.  Every person is unique in their ability to heal and recover from different health challenges, but we will do everything we can to help you get your results as quickly as possible.

Now, if you have had the opportunity to speak with one of our amazing practice members, they may have mentioned how they still come in to get checked long after their initial goals and results were achieved.  In fact, most of our practice members (~55%) come to see us without any pain or symptoms. What gives?

This is because they understand that any core problem with their spine and nervous system can have unwanted health affects on them and their lives, and they realize that it is easier to try and avoid health problems than it is to try and fix them after they develop.

How much is it going to cost?

Time is precious – and we don’t want to waste yours, nor your money.  This is why our initial consultation is complimentary (FREE!).

If that conversation leads us to believe you could be in the right place, we would move on to the Neuro-Structural Examination to make sure.  The cost for the examination is $150.  If x-rays are necessary, then the costs will be detailed out for you before any steps are taken.

Should you decide to begin care, adjustment fees are as follows:

  • Adjustments: $55
  • Progress Examinations: $30 – $50

At your follow-up visit, your doctor will review all of the results from your examination.  They will also give you their best recommendations for your customized plan of action, including frequency and number of visits, and show you exactly how much it will cost.

Since every case is unique, it is difficult to predict the total cost of your care without first having your results from our thorough Neuro-Structural Examination.

Got health care benefits?

If you are fortunate enough to have health insurance benefits that include Chiropractic, Massage and/or custom foot orthotics, then that can significantly reduce the cost of your care (kind of like a coupon for health!)  Contact your insurance provider to find out the specific details of your coverage as plans vary.

Will you make me sign up for a yearlong plan?

No.

During your initial consultation and examination, our job is to figure out if you have a core problem with your spine and nervous system that is contributing to the health challenges you are experiencing.

We also use this time to determine what your health goals are moving forward.

Then, we will combine your examination results with your specific health goals to come up with a customized plan of action to help you achieve those health goals in the shortest amount of time possible.

Every step along the way we will test and retest to make sure that you are on target to reach your goals and getting exactly the amount of care you need and want, and no more.

The decision is yours!

Does chiropractic hurt?

If we find a core problem with your spine and nervous system, our goal is to fix that problem as quickly and safely as possible.

In order for that to happen, it is important for you to be as comfortable as possible – otherwise it would be counter productive to helping you getting healthy and feeling good.

This is why we have devoted countless hours to learning several different, gentle techniques that allow us to help you get the results you desire, while respecting your comfort level.

Is it safe for my children to see a chiropractor?

Absolutely! In fact, the majority of Neuro-Structural challenges begin early in life – even as soon as birth in some cases.  And typically, it is much easier to correct a Neuro-Structural problem when it first happens, rather than waiting to try and correct it after years of damage and scar tissue has settled in.

Fortunately, because children have fewer complications than adults, we don’t have to use the same technique or pressure – they simply just need less!

The challenge with children is that it can be almost impossible to know if they need to see a chiropractor just by looking at them.  They can walk away from falls seemingly unscathed, when we might otherwise be limping for a week.

Rather than guess that they are ok, we find it is always better to make sure!  If you are considering bringing your child to see us, lets first set up a complimentary consultation to review their health history and see if we even need to perform a Neuro-Structural examination.

Hopefully they don’t.  But if they do, then we will do everything we can to help them out.

Do I need a referral from a medical doctor?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Chiropractors are primary health care professionals.  As a result, no referral is necessary to book an appointment with a Chiropractor.

However, there is an exception to this. If you are a member of the Canadian Forces, Chiropractic services can be accessed only when prescribed by your attending physician.

How do I get reimbursed by my health insurance?

If you are fortunate enough to have health insurance benefits that include Chiropractic, Massage and/or custom foot orthotics, then that can significantly reduce the cost of your care (kind of like a coupon for health!)  Contact your insurance provider to find out the specific details of your coverage as plans vary.

To get reimbursed, insurance companies require statements indicating that you have received and paid for your care.  So, we are happy to give you printed or electronic copies of statements for you to submit to your insurance company.  Most practice members ask for statements monthly or yearly – but it’s up to you!

Didn’t find the answer that you need?

Please send us an email, use the contact form on our contact page, or give us a call.

%d bloggers like this: