New Patients
Welcome to Back on Track Upper Cervical Care
We’re so excited to welcome you to Back on Track Upper Cervical Care. From the moment you walk in, know that you’ll be treated with kindness, respect, and that your concerns will be heard. Dr. Autumn prides herself on greeting each patient upon their arrival.
When you’re a part of our practice, you’re a part of our family.
NEW PATIENT PAPERWORK »
Phase 1: Intensive Care
In this phase your spine is out of balance and not holding its correction. Keeping your appointments and modifying your lifestyle in ways that will help you get out of the intensive care phase quickly. During this phase of care many patients get frustrated that they are going out of alignment when they did nothing to “cause” it. Instability is a result of ligament weakness and damage. In due time the ligaments and surrounding soft tissue will become stronger. This will allow you to hold your corrections longer and longer. Most patients the intensive care phase last from 3-4 months. During this phase of care it is essential you come in regularly so we can ensure you are clear of nerve pressure.
Phase 2: Corrective Restorative Care
Your spine is beginning to stabilize and “hold” its adjustment for longer periods. In this phase our objective is to monitor your spine while it strengthens. Many of your symptoms and complaints may have disappeared or decreased. It is critical, however, that you continue your visits even if you are feeling better.
It is during this phase that you are ensuring that your results are longer lasting and more permanent. Also during this phase of care, you will be seen at a less frequent interval. The longer the correction stays put the less the doctor needs to see you.
Phase 3: Wellness Care
In this phase your spine is now holding its adjustment and has become reasonably stable. It is handling stress well. This is where you protect you investment. Maintenance or Wellness Care is similar to regular dental care. You may not know if you have a cavity so you go to the dentist for a checkup. You don’t tell the dentist to leave it there and wait until there is pain right? You fix the problem before it becomes a bigger problem. In the same way, you may not know if you have an ATLAS misalignment or not by how you feel. Therefore regular check ups over time ensure that you are working at your optimum and fix problems before they become bigger problems.
Before arriving to your first appointment, you’re free to download our new patient paperwork here and fill it out to save you a bit of time. When you get here, you’ll meet with Dr. Autumn who will go over your health history and what it is that brought you in.
Dr. Monteiro will then talk with you and ask you some specific questions regarding your condition to determine if Upper Cervical Care is right for you. If we can help you, the doctor will let you know. If we cannot help you, our office has a great network of healthcare providers that we are able to refer you to. Nothing will be done at our office without your consent.
Examination – After a thorough consultation with the doctor, you will have a complete examination. This will include a neurologic, postural, and physical examination. A state of the art computerized infra-red thermography scan will also be performed to obtain important information. The doctor will gain valuable information regarding your condition so that a better understanding can be made of how upper cervical care chiropractic can help you.
X-Ray – The use of x-rays is required to perform a full evaluation of a patient. Our x-ray equipment is state of the art for imaging, as we use a high frequency direct digital x-ray system. This helps to reduce and minimize radiation to the patient. Our x-ray analysis takes time. It is important for us to see exactly what is going on. This is for your benefit, therefore after the taking of x-rays you will be sent home. Please ask the doctor if you have any concerns about x-ray use and safety.
We’re ready to help you feel better. By this visit, Dr. Autumn has determined where to adjust you and at what angle to bring you the best results possible. We’ll begin the visit with a couple more x-rays, and then move on to adjusting. The adjustment is painless and gentle—typically, it’s over before you know it!
Report of Findings – On your second visit, the doctor will carefully review all the facts of your specific case from the exams and xrays. She will then present to you her Report of Findings, which will explain the cause and reason for your symptoms. A treatment plan for getting you well will be discussed at this time. You will find that Dr. Autumn’s Report of Findings is the most thorough and informative that you will ever receive.
Treatment – You will receive your first upper cervical adjustment on your second visit. Most of our patients begin to see results from the very first upper cervical adjustment. Our special gentle yet effective alignment of the spine and body is interactive with the patient, gentle enough for kids (they love us), yet able to restore function and movement for the athlete and senior.
When you visit us for additional adjustments, you can be in and out of the practice in just 5 – 25 minutes. The frequency of your care will depend on how your body is responding to upper cervical adjustments—if you’re holding them well and feeling results, you may only need to visit us for maintenance adjustments. If the problem you’re seeking care for has been bugging you for years, it may take some time for your spine to ‘re-learn’ its proper position, requiring more frequent adjustment.
Rest assured, the care plan Dr. Autumn presents to you will always be in your best interest and unique to your needs.
Ready to Get Started?
Dr. Autumn would love to welcome you to the practice. If you’re wondering how upper cervical care can positively impact your quality of life, please, schedule a visit with us today. We look forward to learning about your goals in health and helping you achieve them. Get started today!
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