Consultation
On your first visit to our office you will be welcomed as a member of our family and our receptionist will greet you with a warm smile. You will then be asked to fill out our required forms which will help us gain some information about yourself and your condition.
Dr. Dale Applegate or Dr. Matthew Kirkham will then talk with you and ask you some specific questions regarding your condition to determine if chiropractic care may be of benefit to you. If the doctor can help you, he will let you know. If the doctor cannot help you, you will be refered to a doctor that will be able to help you the most. Nothing will be done in our office without your consent. Examination
After a thorough consultation with the doctor, you will have a complete chiropractic examination. This will include testing your reflexes, your ability to turn and bend as well as other standard orthopedic, neurologic, postural, and physical examinations. The doctor will gain valuable information regarding your condition so that a better understanding of how chiropractic can help you. If necessary, the doctor may take X-rays or refer you for additional testing procedures.
X-ray 
X-ray is sometimes required to get a full evaluation of a patient. The need for X-ray is considered on a case by case basis. We perform standing weight-bearing x-rays which help in determining structural abnormalities of the spine, unlike medical x-rays which are often taken laying down and does not supply any valuable biomechanical anaylysis. Our equipment is state of the art for imaging. We also have the capability of taking full spine x-rays (see below) which is the gold standard for diagnosing conditions like scoliosis.
Report of Findings
Once all the information and examinations have been performed, the doctor will review all of the findings and give you a written report and tell you recommendations for treatment if he can help you. If the doctor determines he cannot help, he will make the appropriate recommendations or referrals to other health care providers he deems are necessary for your health and wellness.
Treatment 
Most of our patients begin to see results from the very first adjustment. Our special gentle yet effective alignment of the 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.
Our office participates in many insurance programs. We also accept auto accident liens and workers compensation cases. To find out if your insurance covers chiropractic care, you can call the Applegate Clinic of Chiropractic directly or schedule your free consultation at 219.326.5100 or fill out the insurance form. We offer everyone a complimentary no-obligation consultation.
For patients who have little or no chiropractic insurance coverage, flexible payment programs can be arranged.
Doctors of Chiropractic are committed to patient education. Patients appreciate knowing in advance the value and purpose of every procedure before it is rendered. Ask questions! Get involved!
The typical Chiropractic patient goes through several stages:
1. Total disbelief that Chiropractic can do all it says it can.
2. Rhetorical (and sometimes hostile) questioning and ridicule.
3. Reading the Chiropractic literature and reluctantly understanding it.
4. Taking a leap of faith and trying Chiropractic care for 2 weeks.
5. Being highly impressed by the results and wanting to continue care.
6. Becoming a Chiropractic enthusiast and trying to persuade family and friends.
7. Being ignored and ridiculed by the friends who think you've lost your mind.
8. After a year of using Chiropractic care your friends admiring your great health.
9. You telling them (again) that you haven't felt so good since beginning Chiropractic care.
10. Those friends reluctantly trying Chiropractic care for 2 weeks.
Then the above cycle repeats from point 5 on down. |
