YOUR FIRST VISIT - THE GONSTEAD ADVANTAGE
Although no two people are the same, each patient’s initial visit will include some similar procedures. Each patient will receive an individual consultation, detailed examination and needed x-rays. Following these specific procedures, a thorough and unhurried explanation and discussion of all test results, health goals, and care plan options will be provided. Dr. Spitler will then provide necessary adjustments. An initial visit will require about one hour.
Please watch the less than 3 minute video here to see our standard first New Patient Visit! For more information, read the individual sections below!
Family Care for All Ages
Marvel Chiropractic’s primary goal is to serve all members of the families of our community. Children can be checked for subluxations as soon as they are born, allowing them to grow to their full potential. Corrections to the spine and human frame are made more quickly and easily the sooner one begins Chiropractic Care. Think about how easy it is to correct the angle of a tree trunk when its first been planted vs. years later; the same is true with the spine. It is important for everyone in the family to have his or her spine checked for subluxation.
Functional Examination
Each patient will receive a full detailed examination to obtain an understanding of their current state of health. Range of Motion studies are included in this examination process to determine the state of vertebral discs, supporting ligaments and muscle conditions. While Chiropractors can often be confused as only analyzing bones, this application of Chiropractic addresses loss of joint integrity between vertebra which can interfere with the delicate nerve fibers. Decreased range of motion is a common finding for those who are subluxated. Visible differences in height between the ears, shoulders, and hips, as well as posture and walking stride, are used to confirm x-ray and other diagnostic findings.
Analysis of the Nervous System
Since you can have interference in the nervous system while not experiencing symptoms or pain, we use methods outside of the consultation or examination to analyze the nervous system. The Nervoscope, Delta-T and other instrumentation detect even the slightest temperature changes along the spine. These temperature changes and graph patterns are indicative of subluxations and are checked on every patient, every visit. These instruments simply feel like two fingers running gently down your back.
Onsite, Full-Spine X-Rays
If necessary, full-spine x-rays are taken in our office for your convenience. Just as a thumbprint is unique to each and every person, so is his or her spine. Careful analysis of these x-rays allows the doctor to be as specific as possible and to tailor each adjustment for the individual patient. These x-rays are unique in that they include a full-spinal contour representation for posture analysis while the patient is standing (weight bearing). The line analysis, as seen on these x-rays in done on every patients’ films and allows the doctor to be as specific as possible in addressing the entire spines biomechanics, not only the area of chief complaint. The uniqueness of this x-ray analysis is tailored to spinal corrections through adjustments and goes beyond the traditional medical application of x-rays (fractures, tumors, etc.) Extremity x-rays are also taken as needed. To see is to know and not to see is to guess. At Marvel Chiropractic we do not guess with your health!
Palpation of the Spine
The art of Chiropractic utilizes touch in determining subtle alterations in the spine such as alignment and tissue changes. Both static and motion palpation are utilized in Gonstead Chiropractic to precisely pinpoint problematic areas of the spine. Static palpation is the “hands on” part of the examination. This will indicate changes in contour, tone, texture, and temperature of the patient’s spine. Motion palpation is used to determine fixations (or “stuck joints”) and their lack of motion.
Spinal Adjustments
The Gonstead System is a gentle and comprehensive system of analyzing and adjusting the spine by hand. The goal of a Gonstead adjustment is to be as specific, precise, and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas (areas of subluxation). Great care is taken to ensure a bio-mechanically correct position and precise thrust to provide the most accurate and effective adjustment possible.
Extremity Adjustments
In addition to correcting misalignments of the spine, we also adjust misalignments of the extremities — everything from shoulders, elbows, wrists to knees and ankles, making chiropractic very popular among athletes.