Laying the foundation for total health
In some ways, one could say that chiropractic care is a bit like building a house - certain things have to happen in a particular order in order for everything to stand strong and work together correctly. When building a house, if you tried to build your walls before you had a solid foundation, your walls would be weak and eventually may even collapse. If you tried to build your roof before the walls were ready, you would run into the same problem. These concepts apply to your body as well, and chiropractic care addresses many common reasons why people experience pain and other health issues. If something is not right with your body's foundation, then that needs to be addressed before true health can be achieved. With chiropractic care, your body has to go through a particular plan of care in order to repair itself correctly and fully. There are three general phases of chiropractic care . . .
Initial Consultation
Our initial consultation is always at no charge. The Dr. Upchurch will ask you questions and can even do a brief postural exam to see if you are a candidate for chiropractic care. While it is best for the doctor to actually see you and observe your function and posture, phone consultations are also available depending upon the doctor's schedule. If you have any questions, please feel free to call and ask the doctor!
Physical Examination
Dr. Upchurch will perform a detailed Chiropractic and Orthopedic examination of your spine. While the main focus will be directed towards the area of complaint, any contributing areas of the spine will also be evaluated. Our goal is to be thorough and localize the main areas that are the cause of your problem.
Radiographic Examination
If your consultation and physical examination reveal enough findings to warrant x-rays, the minimal number of films will be taken in our office to specifically see exactly which structures are involved. Radiographs will also let the doctor know exactly what techniques or procedures can be done or possibly shouldn't be performed. The more specific the care is administered the faster the results will be realized. Allowing care to be more specific will result in more positive outcomes and greatly lessen any possibility of error.
Report of Findings
Dr. Upchurch will review your examination findings as well as your x-rays and give you a detailed report as to your condition and prognosis. It is a very thorough report covering your condition and expectations for recovery. The doctor will also give you options of either just symptom relief care or more of a longer term correction and management of your condition. Dr. Upchurch will also review insurance coverage, if applicable and present a care program that both fits your time and financial budgets. Care plans can be designed with all the bells and whistles or be made to include just the important basic care. An even more thorough and very comprehensive report is also available to patients who wish an even more detailed report at no out of pocket cost.
Care Begins
Phase 1: Relief Care or Patch Care
If you are in pain when you come into our Royal Oak chiropractic office, our first objective is to help you reduce pain and start feeling better as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the underlying condition, which is causing your pain, it is typical for a patient to need chiropractic care or adjustments 2-3 times per week for a period of time until the pain subsides. Care is always started gradually and is always delivered at the patient's tolerance.
Phase 2: Corrective/Restorative Care or Fix Care
During the corrective phase of chiropractic care, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely, which helps prevent further injury or pain. The goal of corrective or restorative chiropractic care is to help bring your body back to 100% or near-normal-as-possible functioning. It is typical to need chiropractic care or adjustments at a weekly frequency, which is determined objectively by your examination findings. Again, Dr. Upchurch uses your examination findings to determine the length of your Corrective or Fix Care and will explain his findings in detail to you in an individual Report of Findings.
Phase 3: Wellness Care or Maintenance Care
Once your body has fully stable and your objective findings are no longer showing signs of instability, it is important to come in for periodic chiropractic adjustments to avoid further problems in the future. Usually, this phase of chiropractic care only requires a quick visit to the Royal Oak office 2 times per month, based on your lifestyle and goals. We at Upchurch Chiropractic in Royal Oak have many happy patients that continue to function at a high level because they maintain their spinal correction. Maintenance patients love their "normal function" and never want to return to their previous level of pain and discomfort!