What to Expect

What to Expect About Our
Chiropractic Services

Initial Paperwork

You will be required to fill out our new patient application form. This provides us with general information about yourself and specific information about your complaints and condition.

This paperwork is required by law and protects you and your health information. At Integrity Chiropractic we take care of you and your information in Mary Esther, FL.

Initial Consultation

A consultation with our front desk team is to ensure that you understand our office policies and HIPPA information policies and answer any remaining questions you may have before seeing your doctor.

You will be given an office tour by one of our rehab coordinators so that you are comfortable navigating the office, and your vital signs will be documented before you meet the doctor.

History and Exam

To determine your diagnosis, the doctor will ask you various questions about your condition. Clinical examination includes: medical history, a review of previous exams and imaging (if you have prior imaging such as x-ray, CT, MRI), postural exam, functional and dynamic examination including measured ranges of motion, cranial nerve tests, manual muscle testing, palpation of joints and soft tissue, and lastly, functional orthopedic and neurological tests will be performed. Your doctor obtains vital information from the history and examination; therefore, it must be taken seriously.

X-Rays

Your history and exam will likely require us to take x-rays to evaluate your condition further, aid in our decision that you are a candidate for chiropractic care, and assist us in developing an effective treatment plan for you. In fact, research has proven there is no other way to properly evaluate the structure of the spine than weight-bearing (standing) x-rays. X-rays are safe and effective, and can generally be taken in 10 minutes. If anything is found on the films to contraindicate chiropractic care, advanced imaging may be ordered or you will be referred to the appropriate medical professional.

Home Instructions

Before leaving, patients will be given a written pre-report of the initial exam findings by the doctor on certain procedures to be conducted at home. This may include instructions for ice or heat application and activities that may need to be modified or restricted.

Schedule Your Next Appointment

Patients will be given a convenient appointment time for their follow-up visit. Generally, patients are seen within 1-2 days and are provided with a complete report of findings reviewing the initial examination findings and diagnosis, a review of x-ray analysis. Treatment options for your condition will be discussed during this time. Costs of care are fully explained by the front office team (see the NSA at the bottom of the page) and any referral options or advanced imaging that may be needed will be reviewed with you by the doctor.

Treatment Plan

All patients are different, and so are their treatment plans. Depending on the acute or chronic nature of the problem, the initial program will start by addressing primary pain generators and key dysfunctional links. Treatment plans are often formed with a combination of the following treatment options:

Soft tissue techniques for trigger point referral pain
Myofascial and active release for shortened/tightened over-active muscles
Spinal and extremity adjustments for joint-driven pain and neurological reorganization
Stabilization and movement therapy for disc and/or instability-driven pain
Nutritional consultation and direction
Functional re-activation and/or performance enhancement
Structural rehabilitation to correct distorted spinal alignment
At home and work activities to alleviate problems, stabilize tissue, and prevent re-injury

Audits of change and improvement are documented on a per-visit basis. Re-examinations to track progress are conducted at 12 visits or every 30 days, whichever comes first.

If you have any questions or want to arrange a meeting or presentation, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We hope this helps you in making your referral choice with Integrity Chiropractic.

The No Surprises Act (NSA)

As of January 1, 2022, providers and facilities must comply with a number of requirements established by the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) . The NSA prohibits out-of-network health care providers and facilities from balance billing commercially insured patients, in certain circumstances. Part II of the NSA, the “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II” is most applicable to chiropractic physician offices and was created to provide additional protections against surprise medical bills, including:

• Requiring good-faith estimates of medical items or services for uninsured (or self-paying) individuals.
• Requiring notice posted on the facility website of the uninsured/self-insured’s right to receive a good faith estimate.
• Establishing a patient-provider dispute resolution process for uninsured (or self-paying) individuals to determine payment amounts due to a provider or facility under certain circumstances.

Integrity Chiropractic has been doing these things for well over 10 years before this law was passed, and we continue to do it, because an empowered health care decision is the best decision. Every patient in our office receives a detailed written estimate of care which is fully reviewed with you in your report of findings. A signed and dated copy of this estimate is always filed in the patient chart as well.