Your First Visit: What to Expect
Your initial appointment at Palo Alto Spine and Functional Health is a comprehensive 3-step process designed to move you from pain to performance. We don’t rush through visits — we take the time to listen, evaluate, and build a plan that’s right for you.
Step 1: Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation
Before any treatment begins, our team conducts a detailed assessment. This isn’t just about where it hurts — it’s about why it hurts.
Medical History Review
Discussing past injuries, surgeries, and lifestyle factors — including your ergonomic setup at work — to build a complete picture of your health.
Physical Examination
Orthopedic and neurological testing to assess joint range of motion, muscle strength, and nerve function.
Biomechanical Analysis
Observing how you move, walk, and stand to identify the root cause of your dysfunction.
Step 2: Personalized Report of Findings
We believe in patient education. We will sit down with you to explain:
What is causing your pain or limitation — a clear explanation in plain language so you understand your condition.
Our recommended plan for recovery — whether that involves chiropractic care, physical therapy, or an integrated approach.
How long we expect your recovery to take — so you have realistic expectations and a clear timeline.
Step 3: Same-Day Treatment
In most cases, we begin your first phase of relief therapy during your very first visit. This may include:
Gentle spinal adjustments to begin restoring proper alignment and reducing nerve irritation.
Manual soft-tissue therapy to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation to affected areas.
Initial corrective exercises to start the healing process immediately and give you tools to use at home.