F.A.Q.

We accept checks, exact cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit cards.

Each of the providers are separate entities. They all work independently and are not employed by Positivley Chiropractic. Because of this, each provider may choose which insurances they would like to contract with and accept on their own.

YES! Please know that we are sometimes busy with other patients, but if we are open for business, we will see you immediately after getting your intake forms filled out.

Each insurance plan is different. Check with your insurance company first before scheduling an appointment. Remember, most HMO plans require a referral to see a specialist.

Yes, the fee varies by provider. We charge missed appointment fees when you don’t show up for an appointment or cancel your appointment within the 24 hours before your appointment.

No, we understand there are certain situations that are out of your control and we want to be as accommodating as possible. Therefore we will not charge you for breaking our cancellation policy under these special circumstances.

Click here for a copy of our office policies.

Your initial visit will begin with a consultation. The doctor will take a case history, ask about your present condition, and then perform an examination to evaluate the nature of your problem. The exam generally includes a series of basic physical tests and an evaluation of spinal movement and posture.
If necessary, the doctor may recommend X-rays or diagnostic tests to obtain further information about the mechanics of your spine and the details of your condition. Upon completion of the analysis, the doctor will explain your condition and devise an appropriate plan of action with you. Most often, you will be treated with a chiropractic adjustment during your first visit. If necessary, you may be referred to another specialist for further evaluation or treatment.

A chiropractic adjustment is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient.
At Positively Chiropractic, the doctors use a variety of forms of adjustments all with the same ultimate goal: to restore healthy alignment, flexibility, and increased circulation to the body.
One form of adjustment we perform is manual, where they use their hands to literally move a bone into a better position, which is called diversified adjusting. Occasionally, they will use tools like pelvic blocks to reinforce adjustments made to the spine or extremities.
Another way of adjusting the body’s imbalances can also be attained by using what are called drop pieces on the chiropractic tables. In this situation, while the patient is lying down, the chiropractor will raise a small section or piece of the table and then push down on a section of your spine or pelvis, causing a specifically directed force to move through a joint.
The chiropractors also use a small tool called an activator to gently tap a bone into proper position, a technique used on more touch-sensitive patients, children, geriatric patients, or patients who don’t like the ‘popping’ sound that is sometimes caused with deeper manual movements (the ‘popping’ or ‘cracking’ sound is the noise caused by the change of pressure within the joint that may result in bubbles of gas being released. Chiropractic adjustments don’t always cause this noise, but rest assured: there is no pain associated with the ‘popping’ sound!).

Chiropractic adjustments are one of the few medical procedures that can result in instant improvement. Most people will get up from an adjustment and feel better instantly, with an increased active range of motion not only in the problem area, but in the entire structural aspect of your body as well! For example, if you are a runner who experiences acute knee pain after running a certain distance, then a chiropractic adjustment can achieve a ‘loosening’ of the knee as well as an alignment of your pelvis. You may even notice a difference in your gait, as you gain a new balance to your body. In this case, the goal is to gradually improve your body’s ability to increase that running distance pain-free and with no malfunction in your running mechanics until there is no longer a problem! Athletes who are chronic sufferers will experience step-by-step improvement.
In general, most chiropractic patients find that the problems that brought them to their chiropractor soon begin to lessen after their first few visits, although some patients may feel little difference after initial adjustments. This does not mean that they are not receiving any benefit; healing may be occurring under the surface. Occasionally, a patient may initially feel muscle soreness after their first few adjustments, usually giving the feeling of exercising for the very first time, but this is a normal occurrence. Keep in mind that it may take a month or even a few months to fully recover from an injury caused by repetitive stress, faulty gait/stroke/stride, or traumatic injuries, as the body regains a healthy neutral alignment. The good news is that, eventually, all such injuries can be overcome!

Absolutely, training/working out has a strengthening affect on the joints that are being adjusted. However, it is recommended that you wait at least 30 minutes after a chiropractic adjustment to exercise.

Think of getting an adjustment as a form of exercise, as you will be relaxing on a table while the chiropractor moves your spine and extremities around with stretches and manipulations during the length of your appointment. You can wear just about anything you are comfortable in and that you can move in easily. The looser the clothes (jogging pants, running shorts, t-shirts and tank tops), the easier it will be to work on you! Also, keep in mind that if you need to take x-rays, metal zippers and buttons interfere with the x-ray images.

Most insurance policies cover chiropractic. For your specific benefits, it is best to call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask for you chiropractic benefits.

For most insurance plans, we can submit claims if you would like us to, but only for chiropractic services. Please keep in mind that some insurance policies may only cover a small percentage of chiropractic care after satisfying a deductible, and some policies do not cover chiropractic at all. For more specific information, please refer to your policy manual or call the customer service number on your insurance card. We also reserve the right to refuse to submit claims to companies with which we are not contracted. Some patients choose to submit claims themselves to their insurance companies. We are more than happy to provide an itemized receipt for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

Dr. Kathy Coutinho:
Anthem PPO
Carefirst PPO
All commercial Blue Cross Blue Shield PPOs
NO MEDICARE ACCEPTED
NO Tricare ACCEPTED
Dr. Anna Moseley:
All Blue Cross Blue Shield PPOs (commercial and federal)
Carefirst
Anthem
Kaiser
United/MAMSI/M.D.IPA/Optimum Choice
Great West PPO
One Net PPO
NO MEDICARE ACCEPTED
NO TRICARE ACCEPTED
Dr. Rose Moeser:
All commercial Blue Cross Blue Shield PPOs
Carefirst PPO
Anthem PPO
United/MAMSI/M.D.IPA/Optimum Choice
One Net PPO
APWU-Mail Handlers
Principal Life
GoldenRule
NO TRICARE ACCEPTED
NO MEDICARE ACCEPTED
Dr. John Dandelski:
All commercial Blue Cross Blue Shield PPOs
Carefirst PPO
Anthem PPO
United/MAMSI/M.D.IPA/Optimum Choice
Aetna (except HMOs)
One Net PPO
APWU-Mail Handlers
Principal Life
GoldenRule
NO TRICARE ACCEPTED
NO MEDICARE ACCEPTED

Acupuncture is a safe, effective system of medicine that has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain and address the root cause of disease. It is, in fact, the only form of medicine for over a third of the world’s population. The goal of treatment is to restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself so we can maintain our health and well-being.

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that belong to meridians. Each meridian correlates with an organ in the body. When an organ is out of balance or is diseased, the flow of energy (known as “qi” or “chi”) that normally traverses these meridians becomes blocked. This stagnation leads to ailments in both the body and the mind. Inserting needles at strategic points along these meridians help to unblock these stagnations, restore the normal flow of qi, and address most medical complaints.

Acupuncture can be used to prevent, treat, and cure a wide variety of conditions. It is an effective and natural way of restoring balance and promoting wellness throughout the body. For centuries, acupuncture has been used to successfully treat difficult or “incurable” diseases. Nowadays, it is used to prevent and treat many common as well as lesser-known conditions.

For a long time, many people thought chiropractors only helped patients with bad backs. What they didn’t realize was that the nerves traveling down the spinal column go to every organ and cell in the entire body.
So think of it this way: who needs a normal flow of life energy in their body? Not just people with back pain! People with liver problems or arthritis or migraines or a variety of other conditions can benefit from chiropractic as well! So can people who already feel great, since chiropractic is widely used as part of patients’ preventative healthcare routine. Therefore, everyone should make sure their bodies are subluxation-free and able to function at peak performance.

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

Acupuncture needles are as thin as 2-3 strands of hair. Most people do not find the insertion of such hair fine needles to be painful, however you may feel a bit of a pinch when the needles are tapped in. We use fine, solid, filiform needles, unlike hypodermic needles, which are thicker, hollow and have cutting edges. This is why acupuncture feels nothing like getting a shot or having blood drawn.

Acupuncture is used for a broad range of health issues including acute conditions and pain as well as chronic and degenerative diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and The National Institute of Health (NIH) established acupuncture’s safety and efficacy for treating a wide range of conditions including:

Pain

• Acute and Chronic Pain
• Back/Neck/Shoulder/Knee Pain
• Sciatic
• Musculoskeletal Pain
• Whiplash
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches/Migraines
• TMJ/Jaw Pain
• Neuropathy

Mental Health

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating Disorders

Women’s Health

• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Irregular Periods
• Menopausal Symptoms
• Infertility
• Morning Sickness
• Low Libido

Respiratory

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Snoring
• Bronchitis
• Sinusitis
• Common cold
• Immune Boosting

Men’s Health

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Low Libido
• Prostate Pain
• Groin Pain

Gastrointestinal

• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea/Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Colitis
• Bloating/Nausea/Vomiting

Renal

• Urinary Tract Infection/Cystitis
• Yeast Infection
• Water Retention
• Overactive Bladder
• Urination Problems

Cardiovascular Conditions

• Essential hypertension
• Palpitations

Other Conditions

• Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs
• Appetite Suppression
• Metabolic Health

On the first visit, the Acupuncturist will ask you a series of questions and do a full health history, all to understand the root cause of the concerns you are hoping to get relief from. The Acupuncturist will ask about your symptoms, health and lifestyle. Afterward the Acupuncturist will examine your tongue, feel your pulses on your wrists and palpate various parts of your body. This helps the Acupuncturist find patterns that indicate which organs and meridians are out of balance. With this information, the Acupuncturist will make an appropriate treatment plan. After your initial interview and examination, you will receive an Acupuncture needle treatment.

In accordance with your personalized treatment plan, you will receive an acupuncture needle treatment. Upon the needling, you may feel a slight sensation resembling a temporary pinch when the needle is inserted. Once the needles are placed there may be a slight tingling, numbness or heaviness in the area while the practitioner is stimulating the point. These are positive signs that the needles are affecting the acupuncture point. Usually you will be lying on a comfortable padded table or seated in a chair. Often, people become very relaxed and fall into a light sleep during the session. Some treatments may include cupping or the use of moxa, as well.

The initial visit and first treatment will last 45-60 minutes. A follow up office visit will last from 30-45 minutes.  Depending on the goal of the treatment, needles, once inserted, can be left in place for up to 25 minutes.

Change will happen with one treatment, but fully healing the root condition will often take longer. The frequency of treatment and number of treatments needed is related to the patient’s condition. Generally, the longer the patient has had the condition the longer the course of treatment will be before showing substantial and lasting results. Acupuncture can be scheduled as often as five times a week or as little as once a quarter. As symptoms improve fewer visits are required. A client should discuss his or her treatment program with the Acupuncturist, as each individual case is unique.

Dry Needling is a technique used to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues. It involves inserting a fine needle into a trigger point in the muscle causing it to quickly go from a contracted state to a neutral, relaxed one. This instantly releases tension and pain held in the muscle body.

An acupuncturist will palpate the tissue, finding the muscles that are in a contracted state. They will sterilize the treatment area and prepare the needle. Needles are always single-use, sterile, and disposable. Then, they will needle into the contracted muscle using a specific technique that causes it to fire or twitch. Sometimes more than one trigger point will need stimulation. You will feel the muscle twitch and then relax. Next, a topical herbal liniment is used, as well as cups. These two modalities help to restore the natural blood flow of the area allowing for healing at a root level.

• Any Musculoskeletal Pain
• Local and Referred Pain
• Soreness
• Limited Range of Motion
• Tightness
• Inflammation

It is. Dry Needling is simply a specific branch of medicine called motor or trigger point acupuncture. It involves a unique needle technique and is frequently accompanied by cupping and topical herbal liniments.

It is common to feel like you just had an amazing workout for 24 hours after a session. That is to say, you might experience some muscle soreness in the areas worked on. Keeping the tissues warm after treatment is always recommended.

When performed by a licensed provider, it is a quick, safe, and effective form

One’s feet are the foundation of the entire body, leading the way of dynamic movement up the body from the ankles, through the knees and hips, into the pelvis, and right up into the spine. If you have flattened arches, bow legs or pigeon-toed alignment, a hyper-extended or over-arched back, or a forward-tilted neck and head–even without pain–you are a perfect candidate to get scanned for custom orthotics. If you do have pain, then orthotics are not simply a way to align your body when bearing weight, but they also act as a remedy to the cause of your symptoms.
Our very own Dr. Kathy Coutinho races in off-road triathlons and runs all year round. She uses full-length running shoe orthotics and has not only prevented a recurring case of “Achilles’ heel”, which is really caused by iliotibial band syndrome (pain in the lateral knee), but her running performance and speed has improved dramatically, since the orthotics help reduce shock absorption in her feet/ankles/legs and everything above!
Orthotics are not only for athletes, but for anyone striving for proper spinal alignment from the ground up! They are especially perfect for those of us who are on their feet all day, as they provide support that makes such a difference in one’s quality of life.

Foot Levelers, Inc. offers orthotics that fit all varieties of shoes. Whether you need orthotics for running shoes, construction boots, open-back shoes, or 1-inch heels, there is an orthotic designed to fit your shoe. The customizing is peculiar to your foot, but the cut of the orthotic will vary so that your foot still feels comfortable in each shoe.

The full price for orthotics can range from around $200-$400, depending on the type of orthotic.

Sometimes. Some insurance companies cover them at 100%. In these cases, the general rule is that they will cover one pair every 6 months to a year. Some companies cover a portion of the cost, in which case, the patient is responsible for the remaining balance. Some companies will not cover them at all. For the most specific information about whether your plan covers orthotics, it is always best to call the customer service number on your insurance card and speak to a representative.