Patient information: what to expect at your first visit and beyond

Before you arrive

A few small things make your first visit smoother.

• Wear comfortable clothes. We’ll look at your posture and how you move, so choose something you can bend and stretch in.
• Complete your intake forms before you come in. They’re done online through Jane, the same system you use to book. Filling them out ahead of time keeps more of your 75–90 minutes for you.
• Bring a list of your medications and any prior imaging or reports related to your complaint, if you have them.
• Bring someone if you’d like. A friend, partner, or interpreter is always welcome in the treatment room.
• Planning to submit a superbill? Bring your insurance card and photo ID, and call your insurer before your visit to ask whether you have out-of-network chiropractic benefits, how much of your deductible is left, and how long you have to file a claim.
• Paying with an HSA or FSA? Just bring the card. It works like any debit card here, with no card fee.
• On Medicare? Please call before you book. Medicare has its own rules, and they depend on your plan, so we’ll go over how a visit works for you.

Come as you are

Every new patient’s first visit starts the same way: Dr. Corey invites you to just be yourself. Say what you need to say, the way you’d actually say it — no filtering, no performing for the doctor.

We go over the history of your complaint

We’ll discuss what your complaint is, how it happened, what makes it better or worse, how it feels and how severe it is, how long it’s lasted and its timing, and whether it travels and where. This helps determine whether chiropractic care is the right fit for you, or whether another type of provider would serve you better.

We do a complete physical workup

This includes a full neurological and orthopedic exam — evaluating your posture, ranges of motion, and how you walk both normally and under certain conditions. We check muscle strength, reflexes, and neurologic symmetry, and look for muscle imbalances and joint restrictions in your body both at rest and in motion.

As he works, Dr. Corey explains everything he finds and why. He’ll warn you up front: “I’m going to tell you everything I find wrong with you.” Interrupt him anytime with questions. Good healthcare is collaborative.

We establish your plan of care

Every adjustment at Golden Bear is safe, gentle, and effective, but treatments vary from person to person. Some do best with an osseous adjustment — correcting joint restrictions by hand or with a drop table — which suits long-standing complaints complicated by past injury or lifestyle, though it’s not appropriate for everyone (a history of osteoporosis, osteopenia, or connective tissue disorders can rule it out). A gentler, equally effective option uses a handheld instrument, spinal blocking, or light touch holds, which works well for those with a fear of loud adjustments or who need a deeper neurological approach. Our general practice style shifts from more osseous adjustments toward more of these gentler techniques over time — think of it like sanding wood: a lower grit first clears away the major imperfections, then a higher grit creates a smooth, lasting finish.

We refine your plan between visit one and two

After your first visit, we’ll typically have you come back within a few days. In between, Dr. Corey puts together a review of findings, a home exercise and stretching program, and achievable lifestyle suggestions to help resolve what brought you in — then walks you through all of it and his recommended course of action. Ask questions any time; getting you feeling your best is a two-way conversation.

Expect a check-in text from Dr. Corey within 48 hours of your first visit, usually the next day. Your home exercises are never just a handout: you’ll do them together in the office, and he’ll make each one easier or harder at every visit so it fits what you can actually do.

Feeling sore after visit one is common. Our guide covers soreness, icing, and when to call us. For the bigger picture of how long care takes and what you can do between visits, read what to expect from care.

Cancellations and rescheduling

Your appointment time is reserved just for you, so we ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This policy isn’t a punishment. It exists to support your care plan, because consistent visits are what get you results, and it lets us offer the time to another patient.

To cancel or reschedule, contact the office as early as you can. Here’s how late cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice) and missed appointments are handled:

• First late cancellation or missed appointment: no charge.
• Second: $25 fee.
• Third and beyond: the full price of the scheduled visit.

Keep reading

Still have a question?

Call (510) 567-3756, text the same number (say who you are and keep it to a sentence or two, with no medical details), email DrCorey@GoldenBearChiro.com, or ask Miss Alignment, our automated assistant. Dr. Corey answers all of it himself, usually within a business day.

This page is general information and does not replace the guidance we give you for your own care.