386-265-1579
What to Expect
Our mission is simple.
We want to help you understand your pain, overcome it and feel confident in knowing what to do if it comes back. Our goal is your independence, and we believe every patient can overcome the pain that dominates and dictates life.
First Visit
Patient Forms
Upon entering our office, our receptionist will welcome you as a member of our family. We will request that you complete our new patient forms. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition.
Consultation
Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Chris Tatalovich to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, and potential treatment options. This initial visit is designed to learn more about you, your condition, and expectations to determine how chiropractic care can meet your goals.
Examination
After your consultation, our Doctor will perform a complete chiropractic examination testing your reflexes and flexibility. Other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical tests will be performed as well. However, nothing will be done in our office without your consent.
X-Ray Studies
Depending on your specific condition, we may take X-rays as well. X-rays help us develop the most effective treatment plan for you, and alert us of any serious spinal conditions. Most people are amazed once they see their X-rays up close. In some cases, they can even identify some of their issues themselves.
Report of Findings
Once the information is collected and examinations are performed, our Dr. Chris will give you a detailed report of all findings and answer any questions including "How can you help me?," "How often do I need to come in?," and "What will my treatment cost?" After reviewing your health history, goals, and examining your spine and X-rays, our he will discuss recommendations and notify you if your condition requires additional care with other providers.
Treatment
At the conclusion of this initial appointment, you can choose to experience your first treatment. This may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and/or soft tissue massage. Treatment is interactive, so you can express concerns about the different styles of treatment anytime.
Laying the Foundation
Chiropractic care is like building a house - certain things have to happen in a particular order in order for everything to stand strong and work correctly. When building a house, if you tried to put up your walls before you had a solid foundation, your walls would be weak and eventually collapse. If you tried to put on your roof before the walls were ready, you would run into the same problem. The same is true for your body. Your body has to go through a particular plan of care in order to repair itself correctly and fully. There are three general phases of chiropractic care.
Phase 1: Relief Care
If you are in pain when you come into our office, the first objective is to help you feel better. Depending on the severity of your problem, it is typical to need care 2-3 times per week for 2-4 weeks.
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Many people go to a chiropractor because they are in pain. In this first phase of care, the main goal is to reduce your symptoms. Sometimes this will require daily visits, or two to three visits per week for a time.
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Most people are under the assumption that if they don't feel any pain that there is nothing wrong with them - that they are healthy. Unfortunately, pain is a very poor indicator of health. In fact, pain and other symptoms frequently only appear after a disease or other condition has become advanced.
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For example, consider a cavity in your tooth. Does it hurt when it first develops or only after it has become serious? How about heart disease? Regardless of whether you are talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stress or problems with the spine, pain is usually the last thing to appear. When you begin chiropractic care, pain is also the first symptom to disappear, even though much of the underlying condition remains.
Phase 2: Rehabilitative Care
During the corrective care phase, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely, thereby helping prevent injury. Most chiropractors regard the elimination of symptoms as the easiest part of a persons care. If all that the chiropractor does is to reduce the pain and stop there, the chances of the condition recurring are much greater. In order to prevent a rapid recurrence of symptoms, it is necessary to continue receiving care even though your symptoms are gone.
Phase 3: Wellness Care
Once your body has fully healed, this phase of care is offered but never pressured on patients. Some prefer to be released from care or seek treatment as needed. Routine chiropractic care has been shown to ensure that your physical problems do not return, and keep your body in optimal condition. Just like continuing an exercise program and eating well in order to sustain the benefits of exercise and proper diet, it is necessary to continue chiropractic care to ensure the health of your musculoskeletal system.
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When you make routine chiropractic care a part of your lifestyle, you avoid many of the aches and pains that so many people suffer through, your joints will last longer and you will be able to engage in more of the activities you love.