INTAKE FORMS   HISTORY   EXAMINATION   REPORT OF FINDINGS   CHARTING PROGRESS   TREATMENT PLAN

When coming to our office we want you to be as comfortable as possible and know what to expect. Here is the general procedure when new patients present to our office for the first time. You can expect the initial visit to be about 1 hour.

INTAKE FORMS

The first thing that you need to do is fill out our intake form. This provides the doctor with information on your current condition and health history -such as any medications, past surgeries and family health history. We ask that new patients arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to allow ample time to fill out the forms or you can download the form and fill them out before coming in. Select the link below that pertains to your complaint to download the appropriate intake form.

Back pain / Hip pain / Sciatica

Neck pain / Headaches

Knee / Ankle / Foot complaint

Shoulder / Elbow / Wrist / Hand complaint

HISTORY 

The doctor will sit down with you and ask specific questions about when the problem started, any previous treatment you have had, and what aggravates the condition. Your responses give the doctor a better understanding of your condition and help guide the examination process. Any questions or concerns that you may have can also be addressed at this time.

EXAMINATION

The examination consists of a series of tests to help the doctor assess the health and function of your muscles, joints, and nerves of the body. The 4 main goals of the history and examination are to:

1. Rule out serious or non-musculoskeletal problems

2. Identify the pain generating structure(s)

Once the doctor rules out that your problem is related to the musculoskeletal system they will begin to determine which joint, muscle, nerve, tendon or ligament is responsible for the presenting condition. Rarely is there one specific structure that is the problem. More commonly, several related tissues have become dysfunctional and are responsible for the pain and discomfort.

3. Identify the underlying dysfunction

It is insufficient to stop at just identifying the tissue causing pain. In order to fully resolve the symptoms and prevent the condition from recurring in the future we must determine why that tissue has become strained. This requires the examination of not just the area of symptoms but of the function and biomechanics of other muscles and joints of the body as a whole.

4. Identify any perpetuating factors

Often simple activities such as sitting incorrectly, poor workstation ergonomics, and improper shoes can exacerbate and prevent full recovery. These factors need to be identified and corrected through simple education and activity modification to take the strain off the problematic tissues.

REPORT OF FINDINGS

Once the doctor has obtained all the required information from the history and examination, we can integrate that information into a diagnosis. The doctor will communicate the diagnosis with you, suggest the underlying cause and a strategy to resolve the issue. The recommended treatment plan will be individualized for you and your exact condition. The doctor may recommend chiropractic or another treatment by another provider, specific exercises, stretches or activity modification. Sometimes a treatment is provided on the first visit. This will mark the end of your initial visit.

CHARTING PROGRESS

Periodically in the treatment plan, we will need to objectively assess and chart progress and determine if you are ready to proceed to the next phase of care. This entails an extended appointment at which we can re-test the problematic region and assess response to treatment.

TREATMENT PLAN

Phases of Care

Chiropractic offers a variety of health care options. The type of care you will receive is dependent upon your specific condition and health goals.

Relief Care
The goal of Relief Care is pain management. Care may include joint manipulation and/or passive interventions such as ice and basic home exercises if tolerated. Most people require Corrective Care (see below) after the severe pain episode has subsided to address the issues that led to the event.

Outcome Assessment: Pain

Corrective Care
The goal of corrective care is to correct the underlying joint and muscle dysfunctions related to the pain. Care may include joint manipulation, soft tissue techniques such as Active Release Techniqes (ART), fascilitated stretching and home activities to support office care.

Outcome Assessment: Pain, functional questionnaires, muscle/joint range of motion

Active Care
Active Care is an extension of the Corrective Care program. The goal of Active Care is to restore proper muscle strength and endurance related to the underlying muscle and joint dysfunction. Treatment in this stages begins to focus on home rehabilitative exercise aimed at developing the muscle function needed to effectively meet daily demands and prevent recurrences.

Outcome Assessment: Pain, functional questionnaires, muscle strength/endurance

Supportive/Wellness Care
Supportive care is an optional program where the goal is to assist the person in maintaining optimal function and minimize overstrain to muscles and joints. Specific programs are designed to maintain the optimal state that has been achieved with chiropractic care. Frequency of care is dependent on the needs of the person.