Your First Visit

What to Expect During Your First Visit

When you first contact Healing Hands, we ask several questions about your current condition, as well as information about what health insurance you carry. That way we can best determine how soon to schedule you, and keep your expenses to a minimum.

Upon first arrival to our office, there is an immediate feeling of calm that washes over you, as a result of the pleasant atmosphere, newly renovated space, and welcoming staff. The receptionist will assist you in completing the paperwork required for your initial examination. You are then introduced to Dr. Kelly Cao, and taken into a private room off of the lobby. Dr. Cao will then ask you about your current muscular/skeletal condition and get a sense of your medical history. She will also conduct an examination of your health and the affected area. This is when you would ask any questions pertaining to your treatment and care.

Once your examination is complete, you will work alongside Dr. Cao to create short and long term goals for your treatment. Discussing goals is vital because it helps align a patient’s wants with their body’s needs. (You may want to bench press 500 lbs. tomorrow, but your body may not be ready for several months!) Once your goals have been agreed upon, Dr. Cao will begin your treatment.

Dr. Cao provides adjustments manually, which is also called a Diversified Technique. If you prefer, she can use other techniques, such as performing adjustments with an activator. (Activators are small, spring loaded tools designed to apply specific pressure to an area.) While on the table you are asked questions about any pain or discomfort you have been experiencing, and then Dr. Cao applies pressure to an affected area to realign your structural integrity, and correct vertebral subluxations. (A Vertebral Subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves.)

After your adjustment, recommendations may be made for certain activities to be increased or restricted accordingly. You may also be given particular stretches to perform at home and instructions to drink plenty of water in order to flush out toxins. We will also suggest times for you to come in for your next appointment. The receptionist can schedule that for you, and answer any additional questions you may have.

Insurance Considerations for Your First Visit

For your first appointment, we ask that you bring your insurance card for the staff to copy and plan on a 30-45 minute stay. Typically, if you are using health insurance to pay for your chiropractic care, your plan will only cover an initial exam and history on your first visit. If you are in pain and would like to have a treatment on your first visit, that is an option, and we can make arrangements in our schedule.

If you do receive an adjustment, you are asked to lie on a chiropractic table, fully dressed. Depending on what area of the body is at issue, and whether it is a muscular or skeletal problem, determines what type of treatment you will receive. You may be asked to rest with hot packs or a muscle stimulation unit placed on your affected area prior to an adjustment. You may also receive a series of supported stretches designed to release tightness and lubricate joints, or some muscle work that is performed by applying pressure to an area to break the pattern of spasm and increase circulation.