What to Expect During Your First Chiropractic Visit
At Washington Chiropractic’s Kennewick, Lakewood, and Pasco locations, we believe your recovery journey should be clear, supportive, and stress-free from day one. Whether you’re recovering from an auto accident or managing chronic pain, here’s what to expect during your first few visits.
Insurance and Billing Support
- Clear benefit explanation: We start with a discussion about your insurance coverage, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP), third-party liability, and attorney-managed claims.
- No surprise billing: We verify your benefits before beginning care and explain any billing process clearly so you can focus on healing, not paperwork.
- Attorney coordination: If you’re working with a legal representative, we communicate directly with them to streamline documentation and care coordination.
What Happens on Day One
- Warm welcome at check-in: Our team greets you and walks you through any remaining paperwork or questions related to insurance and care.
- Detailed consultation with a chiropractor: We ask about how your injury occurred, including body position, symptoms, and how long you’ve been experiencing discomfort.
- Comprehensive physical examination: Your chiropractor will evaluate your posture, range of motion, and perform orthopedic and neurological tests to assess the full impact of your injury.
- Digital X-rays (if needed): Most patients will receive imaging during their first visit to help detect misalignments, fractures, or soft tissue damage.
- Clear findings review: Before you leave, the chiropractor will explain all exam and X-ray findings so you understand your condition and what the next steps will be.
Early Chiropractic Treatment (Second Visit)
- Transition from evaluation to care: Your chiropractor reviews your imaging and exam findings to decide the safest way to begin treatment.
- Gentle techniques as needed: If tissues are inflamed or highly sensitive, we begin with soft mobilization techniques before progressing to full spinal adjustments.
- Treatments may include:
- Massage therapy: Helps reduce tension, improve blood flow, and relax injured areas
- Class IV laser therapy: A high-intensity light treatment that reduces inflammation and promotes tissue healing
- Gentle joint mobilization: Early movement techniques that restore mobility without stressing the body
- Treatment goals in this phase: To calm inflammation, relieve pain, and prepare your body for more advanced chiropractic work in later stages.
Personalized Recovery Plans
- Custom treatment planning: Based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and progress, we create a care plan tailored to your healing timeline.
- Integrated therapeutic options: Your plan may include manual adjustments, spinal decompression, muscle therapy, or corrective exercises.
- Ongoing reassessment: We regularly monitor your improvement and adjust your plan to reflect what’s working best.
- Collaborative care: We coordinate with imaging providers, physicians, and attorneys to ensure your care is well-documented and supported.
- Long-term recovery goals: To reduce pain, restore movement, and help you regain control of your health with improved awareness and spinal function.
Why Patients Trust Our Chiropractic Process
- People-first approach: We don’t treat symptoms, we treat people. Every visit is shaped by your needs, comfort, and progress.
- Clear communication: From insurance to clinical findings, we make sure you understand your care plan every step of the way.
- Safe, effective methods: We use evidence-based techniques tailored to your body and condition to ensure the safest and most efficient recovery possible.
- Supportive environment: Whether you’re visiting us in Kennewick, Lakewood, or Pasco, you’ll find a compassionate team ready to help you heal.