New Patients

Patient Forms

Upon entering our office, you will be greeted by our team.  We will have you complete our patient forms located in the New Patient Center. This paperwork provides us with your health history and information on your condition.  

Consultation

 Next, you will have a consultation with Dr. Garcia or Dr. Scarfia to discuss your health-related problems, concerns, and potential treatment options. This initial visit is designed for the doctors to learn more about you, your condition, and expectations to determine how chiropractic care can meet your goals.

Examination

 After your consultation, your doctor will perform a complete chiropractic examination testing your reflexes, flexibility, and other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical tests. Nothing will be done in our office without your consent.

X-Ray Studies

 Depending on your specific condition, we may order X-rays as well. Although most people do not need them, X-rays help us develop the most effective treatment plan for you and alert us of any serious spinal conditions. We utilize an outside agency for X-ray studies, and their fees are separate from ours.

Report of Findings

 Once the information is collected and examinations are performed, your doctor will give you a detailed report of all findings and answer any questions including:

1. How can you help me?
2. How often do I need to come in?
3. What  will  my treatment  cost?

 After reviewing your health history, goals, examination results and X-rays (if needed), Dr. Garcia or Dr. Scarfia will discuss recommendations and notify you if your condition requires care with other providers. Our goal is to provide you the best treatment and wellness program for your specific needs. We don’t do “cookie-cutter” treatment plans.

Treatment

At the conclusion of this initial  appointment, you can choose to  experience your first treatment if time allows. This may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and/or soft tissue massage. Treatment is interactive, so you can express concerns about the different styles of treatment  anytime.

Wellness Program

 Prior to leaving, the doctor will suggest a wellness program to incorporate outside of treatment. If you are in pain when you first come into our office this may include: ice or heat application instructions, certain activities or positions to avoid, and at home exercises and/or stretches. If you desire, we will work with you also to create healthy habits and routines for your lifestyle. Every person is unique; therefore, everyone receives a customized wellness plan. The purpose of our wellness program is for you to achieve and maintain good spinal alignment, have a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain a positive mental state.

Many people go to a chiropractor because they are in pain. In this first phase of care, the main goal is to reduce your symptoms. Sometimes this will require daily visits, or two to three visits per week for a time.

Most people are under the assumption that if they don't feel any pain that there is nothing wrong with them - that they are healthy. Unfortunately, pain is a very poor indicator of health. In fact, pain and other symptoms frequently only appear after a disease or other condition has become advanced.

For example, consider a cavity in your tooth. Does it hurt when it first develops or only after it has become serious? How about heart disease? Regardless of whether you are talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stress or problems with the spine, pain is usually the last thing to appear. When you begin chiropractic care, pain is also the first symptom to disappear, even though much of the underlying condition remains.

Most chiropractors regard the elimination of symptoms as the easiest part of a persons care. If all that the chiropractor does is to reduce the pain and stop there, the chances of the condition recurring are much greater. In order to prevent a rapid recurrence of symptoms, it is necessary to continue receiving care even though your symptoms are gone.

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% functioning. Most people need chiropractic care or adjustments up to 8 times per month. The duration of this phase of healing depends on your overall health, how fast your body recovers, and the severity of your problem.

Do not be discouraged if you have mild flare-ups in your symptoms on occasion. This is normal. Flare-ups are bound to occur during this phase because your body has not fully healed. Depending on the severity of your injury or condition and how long you have been suffering from it, this phase of your care may last anywhere from a few months to a year or more, again, depending on your overall health, how fast your body recovers, and the severity of your problem.

Once your body has fully healed, routine chiropractic care can help ensure that your physical problems do not return, and keep your body in optimal condition. Just like continuing an exercise program and eating well in order to sustain the benefits of exercise and proper diet, it is necessary to continue chiropractic care to ensure the health of your musculoskeletal system.

When you make routine chiropractic care a part of your lifestyle, you avoid many of the aches and pains that so many people suffer through, your joints will last longer and you will be able to engage in more of the activities you love. Maintenance care varies from person-to-person. Your doctor will suggest a maintenance care plan designed to provide optimal health. This suggestion is not set in stone, but is customized to address your specific needs.