New Patients | Westside Chiropractic

What happens at my first visit?

Your first visit will be roughly 45-60 minutes in duration and involve the following: full medical history, orthopedic & neurologic evaluation, review of imaging (when appropriate), additional referrals & co-management (when needed), and your first homework: lifestyle changes, rehab exercises and pain education to start at home.

From our FAQs:

Will I be treated on that first visit?

Almost always, we are able to treat on the first visit. If we find any red flags during your examination or another need for a referral prior to treatment, we will let you know and schedule accordingly.

From our FAQs:

I’m nervous about being adjusted. What happens before anyone treats me?

The examination comes first, and you hear what we found before anything else happens: a full medical history, an orthopedic and neurologic evaluation, and a review of imaging when it is appropriate.

We primarily use manual spinal and extremity manipulation but have additional light to medium force techniques (drop table, activator, etc.) upon request or when required. We focus on using the tools that get you better the fastest while keeping your treatment comfortable.

“Upon request” is doing real work in that sentence. If you would rather not be treated a particular way, say so — the lighter-force options exist for exactly that.

From our FAQs:

Do you take my insurance?

We are currently in network with almost every major medical plan.

Cost per visit varies depending on your specific insurance company and the type of plan that you have.

If you do not see your plan listed, please reach out to us for additional questions.

From our FAQs:

Will I know what it costs before I come in?

Prior to your first office visit, your estimated insurance benefits will be sent to you via text/email. This helps to ensure that you know your estimated costs and insurance coverage up front.

Prior to your appointment, we will reach out to you to obtain health insurance information to verify your specific benefits & provide you with an estimated cost of care.

From our FAQs:

What if I don’t have insurance, or would rather not use it?

For those without health insurance or those who elect to not use their benefits, we do offer discount plans through a company called Efficient Care Solutions which legally enables us to discount cash payments.

Either way, the numbers reach you before the appointment rather than after it.

From our FAQs:

How do I book an appointment?

You book through our online scheduler, at any hour, without phoning anyone.

(616) 747-8462 is both our phone call and texting line! Please reach out with any questions you may have.

From our FAQs:

How soon can I get in as a new patient?

It depends on which of us you are booking with and on the time of year, so we do not publish one figure that covers all four of us. The scheduler shows what is actually open.

If you can’t find a time that works, text us at (616) 747-8462 and we’ll do our best to fit you in. If we can’t, we’ll point you to someone who can.

From our FAQs:

Where are you, when are you open, and do you see patients from Walker and Standale?

We are at 3888 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534.

There is one clinic and that is it. We are in the Standale/Walker area, which is why the postal address reads Grand Rapids — so yes to Walker and Standale, and to northwest Grand Rapids generally. Those are the areas we serve, and you are welcome from further out.

Our hours: Mon 9:00am – 6:00pm · Tue–Wed 8:30am – 6:00pm · Thu 10:00am – 6:00pm · Fri 8:30am – 1:00pm · Sat By appointment.

By appointment only.

From our FAQs:

What if I need to change or cancel an appointment?

At this time, we ask for a 12 hour notice for chiropractic cancellations to ensure the space can be taken by someone on our waiting list.

We have a $40 cancellation fee for massages cancelled within a 12 hour notice.

From our FAQs:

What techniques do you use? Does it have to be manual adjusting?

There are so many different techniques within the world of spinal manipulation. We offer the full manual style of treatment along with some other options for light-to medium pressure that are available upon request or chosen based on the examination and medical history. We always tailor treatment styles based on patient preference and what gets people better the fastest!

From our FAQs:

How many visits will I need?

We have zero contracts, nothing paid up front. We operate no differently from your primary care or physical therapy office. Most new patients will notice improvement within 2-4 visits or 1-2 weeks. Every patient’s plan is different, but you can generally expect around 6-10 visits as part of your “active care” initially. Every 1-2 weeks, we’ll check in on your symptoms and goals, then add or remove visits based on your progress.

From our FAQs:

Will I have to keep coming back forever?

Active care is a block of visits with a beginning and an end — around 6-10 to start, with a check-in every 1-2 weeks to decide the next step.

It is what we tell the providers who refer patients to us, too: “At the end of their treatment (6-12 visits maximum for most new patients), you will receive their last visit notes with discharge information and response to care.”

Almost every single one of our patients will receive stretches, exercises, weight training modifications, or lifestyle changes to help give you the tools that you need to be able to take control of your musculoskeletal health.

From our FAQs:

Is it just adjustments, or is there more to it?

You will almost certainly go home with stretches, exercise recommendations, mobility exercises and strength training for what brought you in, to help you learn how to get stronger and self-manage your aches & pains at home!

If additional rehab is necessary, we will connect you with a trusted physical therapist in our area!

From our FAQs:

Do you offer massage?

Our massage therapist, Rich Lamb, LMT, focuses on sports and medical massage with a ligament and trigger-point emphasis rather than a traditional deep-tissue massage, though he offers a variation of that too. Sessions are 25, 55 or 85 minutes, with longer sessions available on request, and are booked through the same online scheduler as chiropractic visits. If nothing there works for you, call or text us.

It books under its own massage listing on that scheduler, separate from a chiropractic visit.

From our FAQs:

Do you see children?

Yes. Parents often bring their children in, alongside their own care.

Every patient starts the same way — a full medical history and an orthopedic and neurologic evaluation — and the same rule applies afterwards: if it is not something we should be treating, we refer.

From our FAQs:

Can I be seen during pregnancy?

You can be seen through pregnancy and after it.

Treatment style is chosen with you rather than for you: alongside full manual technique there are light to medium force options — drop table, activator — available on request or chosen from the examination and medical history.

From our FAQs:

What if chiropractic is not what I need?

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice about our practice is that we are upfront and honest about what we can and cannot help you with. This means that we’ll make sure you’re being co-managed by all of the right providers in all specialties.

If there is anything we cannot help you with, we will make sure to refer you in the right direction to a provider who can. We believe in honesty, ethics, and transparency with our patients.

From our FAQs:

Will you talk to my primary care doctor?

After you become a new patient, we reach out to your Primary Care Provider to let them know our plan, how you’re doing, and how you respond to treatment. We believe in having healthcare teams working together for your benefit!

From our FAQs:

What does “evidence-based” actually mean here?

Did you know that there are guidelines and protocols that chiropractic offices are supposed to follow? Our office lines up with recommendations from the American Chiropractic Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Radiology when it comes to your musculoskeletal care.

From our FAQs:

How do I reach you?

(616) 747-8462 is both our phone call and texting line! Please reach out with any questions you may have.

To reach our admin team, send us a message. If you would like to write to a provider, say so and we will pass the message directly to them.

From our FAQs:

I’m a provider — how do I send a referral?

If you are a healthcare provider or office, please fax or email a patient referral at (616) 841-9693.

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Your first visit, start to finish

Which appointment to book

New Patient Visit

Follow-Up Visit

Reactivation (1+ Year)

What happens at your first visit

A full office visit.

Treatment on the same day

Quick Results

When we are open

Before you book

When the schedule looks full

Insurance and cost

Cancellations

Ready when you are

Westside Chiropractic

What happens at my first visit?

Will I be treated on that first visit?

I’m nervous about being adjusted. What happens before anyone treats me?

Do you take my insurance?

Will I know what it costs before I come in?

What if I don’t have insurance, or would rather not use it?

How do I book an appointment?

How soon can I get in as a new patient?

Where are you, when are you open, and do you see patients from Walker and Standale?

What if I need to change or cancel an appointment?

What techniques do you use? Does it have to be manual adjusting?

How many visits will I need?

Will I have to keep coming back forever?

Is it just adjustments, or is there more to it?

Do you offer massage?

Do you see children?

Can I be seen during pregnancy?

What if chiropractic is not what I need?

Will you talk to my primary care doctor?

What does “evidence-based” actually mean here?

How do I reach you?

I’m a provider — how do I send a referral?