Your First Visit

Patient Forms

Upon entering our office, you will be welcomed as a member of our family.  We will request that you complete our  patient forms located in the New Patient Center. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition.

Consultation

Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Vanessa Shields to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, and potential treatment options. This initial visit is designed for Dr. Vanessa Shields to learn more about you, your condition, and  expectations to determine how chiropractic care can meet your goals.

Examination

After your consultation, Dr. Vanessa Shields will perform a nervous system evaluation. Other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical tests may 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 will allow Dr. Shields to develop a specific correction formula for your misalignment. This formula is unique to you, no other patient will have the same formula. It's much like a fingerprint.They will also 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 their misalignments and degeneration themselves.

Report of Findings

Once the information is collected  and examinations are performed, Dr. Vanessa Shields will give you a detailed report of all findings and answer any questions including:

1. Why Upper Cervical care?
2. How can you help me?
3. How often do I need to come in?
4. What  will  my treatment  cost?

After reviewing your health history,  goals, and examining your spine and X-rays, Dr. Vanessa Shields will discuss recommendations and notify you if  your condition  requires care with other providers.   Dr. Vanessa Shields  will  provide the best  treatment and  wellness program for your needs.

Treatment

 At the conclusion of this initial  appointment, you will experience your first treatment. This will include an Upper Cervical spinal correction.  Immediately after the 1st correction a set of 2 post x-rays will be taken. These will determine how effective the correction was.

With this technique, there is NEVER any guess work. Precision x-rays show Dr. Shields EXACTLY how the Atlas has misaligned, EXACTLY how to re-align it, and also how well the correction went.

Treatment is interactive, so  you can express concerns about the different styles of treatment  anytime. Other areas of the body may be adjusted in the future as long as the Atlas is in its proper position. When the Atlas is in its correct position, secondary treatments are much more effective as well.

Wellness Program

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.  Our wellness team will work with you 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. When this is accomplished, you will experience good health.