Your first visit

Patient Forms

Upon entering our office, we will welcome you as a member of our family, and Dr. Leah Foster will greet you with a warm smile.  We will request that you complete our patient forms located in the New Patient section of the website.  This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition.  We also have them available in the office for your convenience to fill out upon arrival.

Consultation

Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Leah Foster to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, and potential treatment options.  This initial visit is designed for Dr. Leah Foster to learn more about you, your condition, and expectations to determine how chiropractic care can meet your goals.  The doctor will then talk with you and ask you some specific questions regarding your condition to determine if chiropractic care may be of benefit to you.  If your condition can benefit, she will continue with a full examination.  If they cannot help you, you will be referred to another doctor in the local area that may be able to help.  There is never a fee for the consultation.

Examination

After your consultation, Dr. Leah Foster will perform a complete medical examination.  This will include testing your reflexes, your ability to turn and bend as well other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical tests. This will be used for the doctor to provide a full in-depth analysis of your current state and condition for creating a treatment plan. However, nothing will be done in our office without your consent.  If any conditions are found that need treatment from another type of doctor, you will be referred accordingly to the right person.

X-Ray Studies

If you have recent X-Rays, please bring them with you to your appointment when available. With specific conditions, X-Rays may be needed to get a full and proper evaluation of you. If needed, we will coordinate with your clinic of choice or refer you to one of our partnered labs, as we do not perform them within the clinic.

Report of Findings

Once the information is collected and examinations are performed, Dr. Leah Foster will give you a detailed report of all finding including reviewing your current condition, going over x-rays to explain specific results, and answering any questions including:

1. How can you help me?

2. How often do I need to come in?

3. What will my treatment cost?

Dr. Leah Foster will discuss your goals and her recommendations to provide the best treatment and wellness program for your needs. She will also begin to coordinate with you if your condition requires care with other providers as well.

Therapy

We use different types of therapy at your appointments, some depending on your condition.  E-Stim is used to deliver controlled impulses to your muscles to relieve tension and loosen up the fibers so the treatment will have less resistance.  Heat or Ice may be used for things such as inflammation.  A roller table may be used to relax, loosen, and stretch out the back and spine.  A decompression table may be used for cases involving disc issue.  And ultrasound or graston technique are used for muscle tissue related issues.

Prior to leaving, the doctor will suggest a wellness program to incorporate outside of treatment. If you are in pain when you first come into our office this may include: ice or heat application instructions, certain activities or positions to avoid, and at home exercises and/or stretches. If you desire, our wellness team will work with you also to create healthy habits and routines for your lifestyle. Every person is unique, therefore everyone requires a customized wellness plan. The purpose of our wellness program is for you to achieve good spinal alignment, have a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain a positive mental state.

treatment phases

When treating an injury or problematic condition, chiropractic care usually is laid out in stages that work like building a house - certain things have to happen in a particular order in order for everything to be strong, sturdy, and work properly.  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.  Without it, many conditions may come back. There are three phases to corrective chiropractic care . . .

Phase 1: Acute Phase - 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 2-8 weeks.  

Phase 2: Corrective/Restorative Care

During the corrective care phase, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely, thereby helping prevent injury. It is typical to need care 4-8 times per month, for anywhere from a couple months to several in more severe cases, all depending on your overall health and the severity of your problem.  This is the phase we are focusing on stabilization of the body to help it to solidify and keep its natural, healthy alignment and posture.

Phase 3: Wellness Care

Once your body has fully healed, it is important to come in for periodic adjustments to avoid problems in the future.  (Much like seeing a dentist regularly before you have a cavity.)  This is also the phase a healthy individual just visiting the Chiropractor for wellness and everyday aches and pains will start in.  Usually, this only requires a quick visit to the chiropractor 1 time per month, but you can come as often as 4 times a month if your lifestyle and goals benefit from the more frequent routine care, such as athletes or people with more strenuous jobs.  This would all be up to you.  You can discuss your objectives with the doctor.  We are here to help in whatever way you need!