Your Initial Visit

For your first visit, please plan on arriving a minimum of 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time in order to fill out the necessary office paperwork. This will provide us with some of the necessary general information regarding you and your health history, current complaints, and allows enough opportunity for you to fill in any documents required by your particular insurance provider, if you will be using one.

Consultation and Examination

We will first ask you a series of detailed questions to learn the history of your injury or complaint. This also allows us to determine the best diagnostic examinations to proceed with for your case. The examination will consist of a basic physical examination of height, weight and blood pressure, as well as a progression of Neurological and Orthopedic tests. Further diagnostic testing such as X-rays, MRI’s, Nerve Conduction Test, blood tests, etc. may be indicated depending on the results of the examinations, and the information collected. Together, these procedures help us to determine the nature and severity of your condition, as well as the best course of treatment for your case.

Treatment

After all diagnostic work has been completed and your goals have been determined, you'll receive a recommended therapy protocol, and generally begin treatment your first day.  Although some patients are only interested in receiving Chiropractic Adjustments, many of our patients also choose to include the use of a variety of therapeutic procedures and modalities. This option of treatment may involve use of Active Release Technique, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Chiropractic Adjustments, Traction, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Massage, Moist Heat, Cryotherapy, Therapeutic Exercise and Stretching, and various other soft tissue treatments and therapies. 

Since we focus on an active approach to your Health Care, we’ll also provide you with instructions for your Home Care. This may include education and training regarding proper use of heat or ice, ergonomics and body mechanics, activities for modification, exercise, stretches or other information, such as nutritional recommendations, that will help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.

We believe in taking an active approach to health care that puts you in charge while assisting your body through the healing process. With a balanced, multi-disciplinary approach, Dr. Hackett combines the above elements to:

1. Determine the areas of needed attention

2. Restore proper motion in joints, and correct imbalances between surrounding muscles and ligaments

3. Teach you the steps needed to prevent future injury and flare up.

Follow up Visits

The frequency of your follow up visits will be determined by the severity of your condition, as well as your own progression of recovery, which we monitor with each visit and adapt as indicated. Although each individual can differ, your very first follow up visit will generally be scheduled within a day or two of your initial patient examination. This gives Dr. Hackett the clearest view of your response to treatment, and gives your body optimal time between sessions to reach improvement. All treatment and therapy details, expected length of treatment, the cost involved, and all other related matters regarding your treatment that may not have been covered at your initial visit with us will be discussed. Follow up visits should also be used as another opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have regarding your condition, exam findings and/or your care.

Remember: Pain and discomfort should never be "just a part of life". There is help, and we're here, ready to do our best at providing it.

Still have questions? Check out our FAQ's page, or simply call to ask us more today: (858)481-4845, extension 14.