What to Expect at Our Office

Your First Visit

Check In

Upon entering our office, our receptionist will welcome you as a member of our family. We will request that you complete our new patient forms and submit basic identification information. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition. We offer our paperwork online so you can complete it at home.

Consultation

Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Hansen or Dr. Ruppert to discuss your health-related problems and concerns. Since no two patients present the exact same experiences, a thorough case study is obtained by the doctor to cover important events of your past as they relate to your current level of health.

This initial visit is designed for Dr. Hansen or Dr. Ruppert to learn more about you and your condition. This information is then used to determine what types of evaluation procedures would best direct her in finding the cause of your condition.

Examination

After your consultation, the doctor will perform a complete chiropractic examination. She will check your posture, your ability to bend and move, test muscle strength and reflexes and perform other chiropractic, orthopedic and neurological testing specific to your condition. The examination is designed to help the Dr. Hansen and Dr. Ruppert locate the cause of your problem, rule out potential problems and determine the need for any diagnostic imaging that may be necessary.

X-Ray Studies

Depending on your condition x-rays may be taken as well. X-rays are a “blue-print” of your spine and help the doctor determine the most effective treatment plan. They also help Dr. Hansen and Dr. Ruppert provide specific care tailored to your body. Some of the important findings on x-rays include improper curvatures and degeneration.

On your next visit the doctor will describe in detail the findings from your exam and x-rays in a Report of Findings. Typically you will not be adjusted on the first day because she needs time to thoroughly and accurately review your case history and x-rays to determine the type of adjustment your body needs as well as the frequency of your care. There are certain situations that warrant an adjustment or some sort of pain reduction management on day one and those situations will be handled accordingly.

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Your Second Visit

Report of Findings

During the Report of Findings Dr. Hansen will discuss the findings from your first visit and inform you on whether or not your case is a chiropractic case. She will also go over your x-rays in detail so you understand the correlation between your bones, nerves and symptoms. During this visit Dr. Hansen will recommend a care plan for you, go over any special instructions you need to obtain the best and fastest possible results and answer any questions you may have.

After you have decided to become a chiropractic patient you will receive your first adjustment.

Treatment

The focus of any Gonstead adjustment is to be as specific, precise and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas. Great care is taken to ensure a bio-mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and painless adjustment possible. It is the goal of Dr. Hansen to restore and maintain optimal health by locating and correcting any interference to the nervous system.

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If you have questions about how our team at Heartland Family Chiropractic can help you, please schedule a consultation today.