What to Expect as a New Patient at Future Health Chiropractic
Starting chiropractic care should feel clear and comfortable—not confusing or rushed. At Future Health Chiropractic, we take time to explain what to expect during your first visit, how care recommendations are made, and how insurance or auto injury billing may apply. Our goal is to help new patients feel informed, heard, and confident before beginning care.
Your First Visit
A Calm, Clear Start Focused on Understanding You
Your first visit focuses on understanding your health concerns, history, and goals. After checking in and completing new patient forms, you’ll meet with our care team to discuss your symptoms and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
Dr. Gutzwiler will then perform a thorough examination, which may include posture analysis, range-of-motion testing, and neurological or orthopedic evaluations. If imaging such as X-rays is recommended, it will be explained clearly and completed only with your consent.
Throughout the visit, each step is explained so you know exactly what to expect.
Consultation & Examination
Looking at the Full Picture
After reviewing your history, you’ll meet with the doctor for a one-on-one consultation to discuss your symptoms, movement limitations, and health concerns. From there, a thorough chiropractic examination is performed, which may include posture assessment, movement testing, neurological and orthopedic evaluations, and spinal alignment checks.
This process helps us identify patterns contributing to pain, stiffness, or reduced function—not just isolated symptoms.
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Imaging & Evaluation
Using Objective Information to Guide Care
In some cases, X-rays or additional imaging may be recommended to better understand spinal alignment, structural changes, or injury patterns. Imaging helps rule out more serious conditions and provides valuable insight when developing a personalized care plan.
Many patients find it helpful to actually see their spinal alignment and understand how it relates to their symptoms. When imaging is used, findings are reviewed and explained in a clear, straightforward way.
Your Second Visit
Clear Answers and a Plan Forward
After your initial visit, Dr. Gutzwiler takes time to review your examination findings, imaging (if taken), and health history in detail. At your follow-up visit, you’ll receive a clear Report of Findings that addresses three important questions:
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Can we help?
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What care is recommended?
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What should you expect moving forward?
If chiropractic care is appropriate, your treatment plan will be outlined clearly, including goals, recommended therapies, and what progress typically looks like. If your condition requires care outside our scope, that will be discussed openly as well.
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Understanding Care Phases
A Structured Approach That Supports Healing Over Time
Chiropractic care is most effective when it follows a thoughtful progression. Rather than rushing care or applying a one-size-fits-all approach, treatment is structured in phases to support healing, stability, and long-term function.
Each phase builds on the previous one, guided by how your body responds — not by a preset schedule.
Reducing Pain and Restoring Comfortable Movement
The initial phase of care focuses on reducing pain, inflammation, and acute discomfort while improving basic movement and stability.
This phase is especially important for patients experiencing significant pain, recent injuries, or flare-ups that are limiting daily activity. Care during this stage may be more frequent to help calm irritated tissues, improve joint motion, and restore early function.
The goal of Phase 1 is not just temporary relief, but creating a stable foundation so the body can begin healing effectively.
Addressing Underlying Imbalances and Supporting Recovery
Once pain is better controlled and movement improves, care shifts toward correcting underlying issues that contributed to the problem.
This phase focuses on improving posture, spinal alignment, muscle balance, and movement patterns. Treatment may include targeted chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, traction, and rehabilitation strategies designed to support lasting structural change.
Phase 2 helps reduce the likelihood of recurring pain by addressing the root contributors — not just managing symptoms.
The length of this phase varies depending on the severity of the condition, prior injuries, and individual goals.
Supporting Long-Term Health and Preventing Regression
After meaningful improvement has been achieved, ongoing care may be recommended to help maintain progress and prevent setbacks.
Wellness care is individualized and typically less frequent, focusing on maintaining alignment, supporting mobility, and adapting care to lifestyle demands over time. Many patients find this phase helps them stay active, resilient, and confident in how their body moves.
It’s often easier to maintain progress than to recover from repeated flare-ups — and this phase supports exactly that.
A Flexible, Patient-Centered Process
Care That Adjusts as You Improve
Not every patient moves through these phases at the same pace — and some may not need every phase in the same way. Progress is monitored regularly, care plans are adjusted as needed, and recommendations are discussed openly at each step.
The focus remains the same throughout: helping you move better, feel stronger, and support long-term health with clarity and confidence.
Insurance & Auto Injury Billing
Helping You Navigate the Details
If your visit involves insurance or auto injury (PIP) coverage, our team helps explain how benefits typically apply and what evaluations or treatments are commonly covered. Recommendations are made based on clinical necessity and appropriateness — not unnecessary services.
Our goal is to help you focus on healing with confidence, knowing your care plan is structured, transparent, and aligned with coverage guidelines whenever possible.
CONTACT US
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re dealing with pain, recovering from an accident, or looking for a more structured approach to chiropractic care, we’re here to help you understand your options.
Reach out to schedule an appointment or speak with our team—we’re happy to answer questions and help you get started.