We all like options. Make our own choices, choices that are
right for us.

Same when seeing a chiropractor.

If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, to find the best
chiropractor for you, it is likely you’ll seek recommendations,
do your research, then choose a chiropractor in your area.

From the chiropractor of choice, you seek direct answers
to your questions and a solution for lower back pain, neck pain,
middle back pain, hip pain, leg pain, and/or headaches:

1. What is wrong?
2. Can the chiropractor help you?
3. How long will it take?
4. How much will it cost?

If you’re like me, you want to be informed, ask
questions, and fully understand your options
so you can make the wisest decisions for yourself.

 

Yes! You’re the Boss of You!

Although I can’t speak for all chiropractors, I can share my
own philosophies and procedures.

First and foremost, I respect you, your goals, and your choices.

Whether you’re seeking relief from excruciating low back pain
or preventing nagging neck pain and headaches from creeping
back, I’m here to help you reach your goals.

 

We’re a Team.

Throughout your care, we work together as a team.

On each visit, you talk to me about what hurts, what’s better, and
what’s not better. I talk to you about what I find and where I adjust
to help you feel better and function at your best.

Based on what you tell me and my objective findings, I give
you recommendations.

However, no matter what I recommend, you’re always the director
of your own care. You’re in charge of making decisions right for you.

 

New Patients.

My patients fall into two basic categories: new patients and established
patients. New patients become established patients after their first
consultation, exam, and spinal adjustment.

New patients and established patients come with their own
set of options.

When someone seeks chiropractic care for the first time, most
of the time she or he seeks relief from pain, often muscular skeletal
pain (muscle, bone, nerve related).

First option:

Choose a chiropractor. Ask friends. Do your research.
If you happen to choose me, I’m honored.

However, if another chiropractor is your choice, I’m thrilled
you’ve made the leap to get chiropractic care and receive
its benefits.

Second option:

During the free consultation, I will let you know whether
I think I can help you or not. However, it’s your choice to go
forward with chiropractic care, or to opt out.

Either way, I’m grateful for your time and the opportunity to talk
with you. 

Third option:

Once you start care, we take it one step at a time. If you progress
as expected, then we take another step—if you’re in agreement.

If you make noticeable progress in reasonable time, we can
continue with care.

Even after one or two visits, most people can feel
a difference, feel better. Not “all better,” but better
enough to know we’re on the right track.

The frequency of visits is based on how well you do.

If you don’t progress as expected, I’m on high alert. I reassess
you and my methods of helping you. Then we discuss whether
to continue or stop care.

Of course, different variables can delay progress: history, car
accidents, falls, sports, injuries, level of fitness, and the intensity,
duration, and location of the pain(s).

Also, choosing to follow my specific instructions is critical for quicker,
longer lasting results, such as lying down for acute lower back pain.

Fourth Option:

During your care at my office, you may choose to 
stop your care at any time.

No questions. No guilt-trip. No worries.

It’s your body, your health, and your life!

We respect you and your choices and, of course, you’re welcome
back at any time. 

 

Established Patients.

Once a new patient has received her first consultation, spinal exam,
and first chiropractic adjustment from me, she is then inducted into
the Established Patient category.

Established patients fall into one of or a combination of
three categories: Pain Care, Stabilization Care, and
Maintenance Care.

 

Pain Care:

When an established patient experiences pain in his or
her lower back, middle back, neck, head, hips, legs, etc., he or she
comes to see me for relief of that pain(s).

When the pain stops, she may choose to stop care or to continue
care for the specific purpose of preventing the pain from coming back.

 

Stabilization Care:

After the pain disappears or significantly decreases,
this patient chooses to continue care to help achieve
maximum stabilization, mobility, and function of the spine.

Maximum stabilization of the spine helps prevent pain
from returning.

Naturally, frequency of visits is reduced according to how the
patient feels and the chiropractor’s (my) findings.

 

Maintenance Care:

My goal is to reduce visits to one adjustment per month for maintaining
maximum spinal stability, function, and mobility.

However, should our goals differ, your goal
always trumps my goal!

 

Dovetail Your Choices With Your Goals

Sometimes, that first decision, that first step into the chiropractor’s
office is the hardest step.

Once you meet with the chiropractor and understand what she
has to offer, then, as the options present themselves, you can make
choices that meet your goals.

Ultimately, whether you choose to receive one chiropractic adjustment
for pain or opt to get your spine in “fightin” shape or any combination
thereof, you are the director of your chiropractic care.

You’ve got the final word–always!