1. What are the benefits of multidiscipline treatment?
Different conditions respond to different therapies, and often they respond to two different therapies given concurrently. In general, physical therapy addresses the muscular and ligamentous component of musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractic addresses the spine, and all the associated structures, including the spinal nerves and intervertebral discs. Massage therapy is helpful for decreasing muscle spasm and tension, and for reducing adhesions and scar tissue in injuries. Together, these therapies have a powerful, synergistic effect that often far exceeds their effects when done individually.
2. How long does a full course of treatment take?
That depends on a number of factors like the severity of the problem, the age and healing capability of the patient, and most importantly, the compliance with the treatment plan and home exercise program. However, in general, the multifaceted integrated approach that we take, produces much faster results than an undimensional approach.
That needs to be determined by the doctor, but patients who typically can benefit from physical therapy are those who would benefit from strengthening or increasing flexibility of injured body parts. Physical therapy also helps with correcting poor posture, which is a problem that leads to many musculoskeletal conditions.
4. Who needs chiropractic treatments?
Not only patients who have back pain are candidates for chiropractic care. This is a very common misconception about chiropractic treatment. Anyone who demonstrates spinal segmental dysfuction (joints not moving normally, or to the extent they are supposed to) would most certainly benefit from chirpractic care. Interestingly, this often does not produce pain or symptoms for years, but can be detected early through a number of different methods that chiropractors frequently employ. This can actually prevent degeneration and arthritis that would otherwise have occurred later in life and produced pain and restricion of movement.
5. When can I expect to start feeling some positive results?
Again, that depends on a number of factors like the severity of the condition, age and healing ability, and compliance with the treatment plan and recommendations. We do schedule regular follow-up visits with all our patients so we can closely monitor your progress. If it seems you are not progressing as quickly as we would expect, we may make changes to the treatment plan, recommend further testing, or refer to a specialist whom we work closely with. While we cannot predict how quickly a patient will respond, if you are accepted as a patient in our office, we do expect progress, and will not allow treatment to continue indefinitely if we are not seeing it.
6. What do I need to avoid while on a treatment plan at your office?
First and foremost, you need to avoid letting other things take priority over your health while you are getting treatment with us. Obviously things like work and family are important too, and we make every effort to work around your busy life - but in order to get you well, we do expect that you will take your treatment with us seriously and make it a priority. Additionally, your doctor and providers will give you specific instructions as to activities and movements that you should refrain from while under care.
7. Do you take x-rays on site?
If the doctor determines it is necessary and appropriate to take x-rays, we can do them right in our office. Other advanced imaging studies like MRI, diagnostic ultrasound, CT scans, and nuclear bone scans are typically referred out. Results from all diagnostic testing is reviewed with the patient on the subsequent visit.
8. How long does each visit take?
The fist visit is obviously longer than most because there is a small amount of paperwork that needs to be completed, and then the doctor will spend as much time with you as necessary to determine the nature of your problem. Additionally, sometimes x-rays are ordered and will also take additional time. However, in general, we try and keep the length of the first visit to an hour or less. Once you are an established patient, most visits are between 15-40 minutes, unless an evaluation is scheduled or test results need to be discussed. We make every effort to respect your time and keep visit time and waiting to a minimum.
We do not charge anything to consult with one of our doctors and determine if our office is right for you. Beyond that, the cost of the first visit can vary greatly depending on the depth of examination, whether or not x-rays are performed, and if treatment is started on the first visit. Of course different insurance plans will also vary greatly in how much you are responsible for on the first visit. As a very general range, the first visit could range from $100-$200.
We will accept most insurance plans but they will vary greatly depending on whether we are being processed as an out-of-network or in-network provider. We will be happy to verify any insurance policy to determine how it can be used at our office. If your plan has a deductible, do not be discouraged as we have a number of payment options to make it easier for you. Sorry but we do not except Medicaid.
Most of our patients acutally seek out our office for the very reason that we offer all these therapies under one roof. However, not all patients are candidates for all of these therapies. Additionally, not all patients want all of these therapies, and we respect that. It is our job to make our best recommendations to get you well in the shortest amount of time possible, but as long as you are making an informed decision and know all of your treatment options, we will support your decisions regarding your body and your health.
12. Can I use x-rays from a previous visit to another doctor or hospital?
Provided the films are recent, are of good diagnostic quality, and provide the information we need to care for you safely and effectively, you may use previous imaging studies from another office or facility. If, however, the doctor feels it is necessary to take additional films, we can do this at our office.
13. How easy is it to get an appointment at Ogata Chiropractic?
New patients can normally be seen the same day they call. We understand that when you are in pain, you want relief quickly, so we will make every effort to get you in to see the doctor as quickly as possible. Once you are an established patient, it is very easy to make appointments that will fit into your busy schedule.
We pride ourselves in running a streamlined schedule and respect your time, so any time is a good time. Of course there are times that our office is busier, like early in the morning, around lunch time, and at the end of the day - but that does not mean that you will wait. We will only schedule as many patients as we can comfortably accommodate at a given time. For this reason, once you are an established patient, we will always encourage you to schedule as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the treatment times that are best for you.