Frequently Asked Questions
Chiropractic Care FAQs
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Part of your first visit includes verifying your insurance so we can find out what your policy benefits are, and whether your insurance accepts us as an in-network provider.
On the same day of your first visit, we send your policy information to a team of professional insurance specialists. By your next visit we inform you of your coverage and how it fits into an appropriate care plan for you.
Ultimately, you are responsible for your own insurance policy. We hire professionals to research and relay your policy benefits as a service to you. If using insurance as part of care is critical to you, it is recommended that you contact your insurance company directly and have them help you understand your coverage fully.
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Your first visit includes acquiring information about you and your needs. Your second visit includes a review of your findings, insurance, and care plan as necessary.
Each of these two visits may take up to 30-45 minutes. If you have not completed your initial paperwork before your first visit, you will need to do so at your first visit, which makes it take longer and potentially delays receiving treatment on the first day.
Once you are established as a patient, typical adjusting visits are usually close to 5 minutes. Any other therapies included as part of your care may make a visit somewhere between 15-40 minutes.
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No. If you just want to do certain care, that is your decision.
We will recommend any treatment or service available that we know can benefit you to achieve your goals better, faster, and for the longer term.
We will always suggest what we think is best for you specifically. Often it will be some combination of chiropractic and nutrition to address your health as totally as possible. You decide what to accept, even if it is less than our best recommendation.
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No two people are adjusted the exact same way. Your doctor may use the same methods as on another individual, but each motion and adjustment is different for each unique body. Just as two people might need the same surgical procedure, the act and process of the surgery is unique to each person’s body. The same is true for chiropractic adjustments.
Depending on the person or condition, different types of adjustment may also be performed. With knowledge of your treatment history, your doctor will check your body’s needs at each visit to adjust you as appropriately and specifically as possible.
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In general, no clothing removal is expected for adjustments. The only exception may be bulky or obstructive clothing like winter coats, belts, shoes, wristwatches, etc. which may prevent the doctor from adequately feeling your spine or extremities.
Some jewelry or other items may need to be removed if taking X-rays at your visit. Typically, the only clothes needing removal for X-rays are belts and zip-up sweaters, since the zipper blocks the view of the spinal area.
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Adjustments themselves tend to be comfortable. Even “big” adjustments are more so surprising than anything. Any expectation for different feelings depending on your levels of soreness, existing pain, or sensitivity will be expressed before performing any adjustments. Each person and condition is unique.
Overall, adjustments are comfortable, and they often immediately result in relaxation and improved function.
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Chiropractic care is widely regarded as a safe and effective treatment for common complaints. When performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor, the risk of serious complications is exceedingly low. Common side effects like mild soreness or stiffness, are typically short-lived and self-resolving.
Compared to medical and pharmaceutical treatments, chiropractic’s safety profile stands out. Prescription medications, often used for pain management, carry risks of side effects, dependency, and complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding or liver damage. Surgical interventions, while sometimes necessary, pose risks of infections, blood clots, or prolonged recovery times. In contrast, chiropractic adjustments are non-invasive and drug-free, making them a safer first-line option for many individuals seeking relief or maintenance without the potential hazards associated with more aggressive medical approaches.
Research underscores the safety of chiropractic care when administered correctly, and organizations such as the American Chiropractic Association advocate for its use as part of a comprehensive approach to healthcare. Studies have shown that adverse events related to chiropractic care are rare, with serious complications like stroke being extremely uncommon and often debated in terms of causality. By focusing on patient-centered care and evidence-based practices, chiropractors continue to deliver effective, safe treatments that complement broader healthcare strategies.
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Typically, people report feeling relief, relaxation, and improved function after an adjustment. These feelings are often immediate, or you may notice them throughout the continuation of your day.
Depending on your condition or how long it’s been since being adjusted, there may be some soreness due to existing sensitivity or inflammation pressurizing certain areas in your body. Any soreness should feel like the soreness of working out for the first time in a long time. Such soreness typically resolves after a few days as the body settles and inflammation is redistributed.
If you are in a care plan for an active problem, every person and condition is unique. The pace at which your body heals and changes its sensitivity to pain may either be fast, slow, or moderate. Your body is intelligent and will respond however it needs to. Adjustments remove interference so your body can heal and maintain health as best as possible.
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Your consultation and examination will give findings that indicate what a good care plan for you would be. Like needing to take a regimen of antibiotics for them to be effective for an infection, chiropractic for certain issues is only effective with a consistent care plan.
You will be urged to stick to a care plan to overcome the problems your body presents. Expectations for this will be laid out for you by your second visit. When your active care plan is complete, a maintenance plan is usually recommended.
If chiropractic is fitting for you, wellness care is typically recommended to maintain optimal health and function. Wellness care is recommended monthly on average, coinciding with research for optimal joint and serum health.
As always, you decide what care you accept, even if it is less than our best recommendation.
Functional Medicine FAQs
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Functional Medicine is a personalized, systems-based approach to healthcare that addresses the root causes of disease by considering the interactions between your body’s metabolism, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
It is the use of medical testing and the latest research to understand and improve your physical condition as naturally as possible.
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Functional Medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just managing symptoms. Dietitians specializing in Functional Medicine prioritize an integrative approach, often combining evidence-based dietary strategies with lifestyle interventions to support healing. Unlike conventional approaches, which may recommend one-size-fits-all dietary guidelines, these dietitians create highly individualized meal plans and supplementation strategies based on lab results, patient history, and specific health concerns.
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Functional Medicine can address a wide range of chronic conditions, including autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, metabolic syndrome, mental health conditions, chronic fatigue, and inflammatory conditions.
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Yes, Functional Medicine integrates current scientific research with clinical expertise to create individualized care plans. Dietitians specializing in Functional Medicine rely on a robust foundation of evidence when recommending dietary strategies, supplements, and lifestyle changes. They stay updated on emerging research in areas such as microbiome health, nutrigenomics, and the role of inflammation in chronic disease.
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It typically involves a detailed health history, discussion of lifestyle and environmental factors, comprehensive lab testing, and development of a personalized care plan.
Your consultation is driven by your goals and what your physiology reveals through testing and evaluation. With the information gathered at your consultation, specific testing will be ordered to learn how your body handles the indicated issues. Those test results will be interpreted to craft and implement the best plan to address your situation and reach your goals.
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Yes, Functional Medicine practitioners often use specialized lab tests to assess nutrient levels, gut microbiome health, hormone balance, inflammation markers, and other factors contributing to chronic illness. The latest research is used to guide the interpretation of your results to revolutionize the physiological processes in your body and optimize your functional health.
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If you haven’t gotten lab work done, wait until your first consultation. Your history and conversation with the practitioner may reveal the need to investigate specific parameters that may not be included otherwise.
If you do have lab panels done already , it will be helpful for us to include them in our files as part of your history.
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Results vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the condition, but patients often experience improvements within weeks to months of starting treatment. Functional Medicine dietitians provide consistent support, monitoring progress through follow-ups and adjustments to the nutrition plan as needed. They also educate patients on setting realistic expectations and building sustainable habits for long-term health improvements. You will also be empowered to take hold of your health, as your commitment to your care plan is the key to unlocking results.
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Coverage varies by provider and insurance policy. While some consultations or lab tests may be covered, others might require out-of-pocket payment. Your best bet is always for you to contact your insurance provider to ask about coverage for the care you’re seeking.
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Nutrition is the cornerstone of Functional Medicine. Dietitians specializing in this field use food as a therapeutic tool to help patients achieve optimal health. They design personalized nutrition strategies based on lab results, patient history, and current health goals. For instance, they might create anti-inflammatory meal plans for autoimmune conditions, recommend nutrient-dense foods to support hormone production, or develop protocols for restoring gut health after chronic antibiotic use.
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No. If you just want to do certain care, that is your decision.
We will recommend any treatment or service available that we know can benefit you to achieve your goals better, faster, and for the longer term.
We will always suggest what we think is best for you specifically. Often it will be some combination of chiropractic and nutrition to address your health as totally as possible. You decide what to accept, even if it is less than our best recommendation.
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Functional Medicine is practiced by various licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, naturopaths, chiropractors, dietitians, and nurse practitioners who have received additional training in the field. Dietitians trained in Functional Medicine have expertise in using food as medicine. They focus on assessing dietary triggers, nutrient imbalances, and lifestyle factors that contribute to poor health. Their interventions are evidence-based and practical, empowering patients to make sustainable changes.
Meeting with one of our providers is the best way to discover if we can help you achieve what you aspire toward.
More curiosity about safety or efficacy of our services? Our collection of research articles may help.