Following your initial visit to Acupractic Natural Healing Center, we explain the findings of the exam and history and provide an initial treatment.
Pain and discomfort found during the exam or described as a chief complaint indicate problem areas that need attention. Spinal nerves arising from injured vertebral units are unable to carry coherent nerve messages- the resultant communication is muddled, and organs, tissues, and bones suffer and exhibit pain. During your ROF, Dr. Lisa defines areas of subluxation (vertebral irritation) found during your exam and describes potential repercussions. Dr. Lisa will give you a handout explaining the spine, nerves, and regions affected by particular nerves with subluxated areas circled.
Dr. Lisa will propose treatment aimed at correcting subluxation. Postural distortions such as an anterior head carriage or leg length imbalance can affect health; Dr. Lisa will describe how the adjustment along with other therapies can help. Similarly, Dr. Lisa will review which acupuncture channels and elements exhibit imbalance and explain how that affects health. For instance, pain in the thumb and mid back is connected to rhinitis because they all reflect an imbalance in the metal channel. Acupuncture performed along that channel or a related channel combined with gua sha massage applied at the mid back can help. During your ROF, she will propose treatment methods including acupuncture, massage and diet and exercise changes that can help improve health.
The goal of chiropractic and acupuncture treatment is to help the body heal itself. Both healing sciences recognize that the human body is miraculous and able to recover itself in most instances when provided the right circumstances. Acupuncture and chiropractic treatment strive to improve balance and communication within the nervous system and channels and to reduce stress and stagnation that results in inflammation and pain. During the ROF, be sure to ask questions and take notes, if necessary, to help you remember suggestions. We will give you some handouts as reference material, and our website has much information relating to chiropractic and acupuncture. If you forget something or need to ask a question later- no problem. We are here for you.
Your responsibility as a patient at Acupractic NHC is to keep your scheduled appointments, inform Dr. Lisa of new or changing health concerns and to ask questions as needed. During each meeting, Dr. Lisa will make suggestions or provide exercises you can do to improve muscle strength, flexibility or stability. She will suggest that diet changes and lifestyle adjustments help you. Try to remember these suggestions and to do them, between visits to get the best results. Bring a notebook to take notes if that helps. You are also responsible for paying for your care and any portions not covered by your insurance- we will verify your insurance benefits to the best of our ability to help you with this. Lastly, it would help if you understood that you have a choice in healthcare. We are proud to offer quality chiropractic and acupuncture options and look forward to helping you.
After your ROF, you will receive a healthcare treatment consisting of massage and either chiropractic or acupuncture, unless you have explicitly arranged to accept both. Next, you will schedule follow up appointments as part of your treatment plan. Bring your calendar to assist in this. If you need to change or make appointments later, visit the patient portal online or contact our office.