Most people are a little nervous walking in. Totally normal. Here's exactly what happens, why we don't adjust on day one, and why that's actually a good thing.
If you've never been to a chiropractor, you might be expecting to walk in, hop on a table, get cracked, and walk out. That's not how we work, and there's a real reason why.
At Innate Living, your first visit is about investigation, not adjustment. Dr. Tom doesn't put his hands on your spine until he knows exactly what's going on with it.
Plan on 30-45 minutes for your first visit. Follow-up visits are much shorter, usually 15-25 minutes.
Dr. Tom asks real questions because he can't give you a real plan without real information. What's going on? When did it start? What have you already tried? What does your daily life look like? Where does it hurt and when?
This isn't a five-minute intake. It's a real listen.
Posture analysis, range of motion testing, neurological screening, orthopedic tests. Dr. Tom is looking at how your body is actually moving and where things are restricted.
Most chiropractors either skip X-rays entirely or rely on whatever you happen to bring in (old MRIs, X-rays from years ago). We do it differently.
Dr. Tom's exam dictates whether you need X-rays. If you do, we take them right in the office, and they're not regular static X-rays. We take specific motion study X-rays, which show exactly where the joint is locked up and how it's impacting the nerve. Regular X-rays show you the bones. Motion studies show you the dysfunction.
This matters because adjusting a spine without knowing what's actually happening is guessing. We don't guess.
This is the part that surprises people. You will not get adjusted on your first visit. Here's why.
Dr. Tom needs to do a deep dive into your case between visits. He reviews your X-rays, exam findings, history, and connects all the dots. Then he builds a specific care plan for your body, not a generic one. That kind of work takes more than the 10 minutes you're in the office.
You go home. Dr. Tom does the work. You come back for your Report of Findings.
This is where it all comes together. Dr. Tom walks you through:
If you're a good fit for care, your first adjustment usually happens at this visit. Now Dr. Tom knows exactly what your body needs, and he can deliver care that's specific to you.
Comfortable clothes. Stretchy. Nothing fancy.
Bring your insurance card and a list of medications. If you have prior imaging, bring it (Dr. Tom may still recommend new motion study X-rays, but it doesn't hurt to have your history).
The exam is gentle. The X-rays are quick. Nothing on the first visit should be painful.