Tangelo Chiropractor + Rehab FAQ
Patients regularly tell us how nervous or reluctant they were to visit a Chiropractor. Whether that’s due to financial reasons, worries about escalating their pain or injury, or just because most of us don’t like dealing with our health and tend to put it off as long as possible.
Whatever the reason, after one visit with our energetic, optimistic, and highly talented Chiropractic care team, our patients are at ease and excited about their safe, natural and effective road to recovery.
Our FAQs here will help you make the smart choice to visit us. We’ll tell you how we work, how Chiropractic solutions can quickly end your pain, and much more. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for here? Reach out; our friendly staff is ready to get you the answers you need!
Insurance and Cost FAQs
Do you accept insurance?
Yes! Tangelo is in network with most major insurance plans. Once you are scheduled we will obtain a quote of benefits for you which we will review with you at your first appointment before you see your Doctor.
Can you let me know what my insurance benefits are before my visit?
If you get your insurance information to us 48 hours prior to your appointment, we’ll be able to review your benefit details and your estimated out of pocket cost at your first appointment before you see your Doctor. If you would like to know your benefits before coming into the clinic, you can call your insurance plan and ask for your Chiropractic and Physical Therapy benefits. Most insurance companies also have online patient portals where you can locate your plan benefits.
How much does a visit cost?
Visit cost is entirely dependent on your insurance coverage. Part of our intake process is verifying your applicable benefits so that we can review them in detail with you at your initial visit.
Do I need a referral?
In most cases, a referral is not required, and we’ll always be sure to double-check for you! We welcome new patients who want to find pain relief, and live healthier and more fulfilled lives, so if you were referred to us, be sure to let us know who we should thank!
Still have questions? Check out our Insurance 101 page for more information.
Treatment FAQs
What is it that you do?
Our Chiropractors specialize in manual therapy and functional rehabilitation to provide lasting recovery from chronic and acute pain. Our treatment blends elements of manual therapy, functional rehabilitation and Chiropractic.
Do I have to have a sports injury?
Definitely not! We see all kinds of injuries such as overuse injuries, post-surgical cases, and accident related injuries. We also see patients for general maintenance and well-being.
I’ve been told I have a pretty difficult injury, is that something you can help me with?
Absolutely! We see difficult cases all the time and create individualized treatment plans to make sure your needs are met.
Do all treatments center around Chiropractic?
Nope! While your Chiropractor is a certified Doctor of Chiropractic, chiropractic care is just one of the tools in our toolkit. Your care program will blend multiple methods and techniques, and you’ll always be in control of the treatment you receive.
Do you have physical therapists on staff?
All of our doctors are Chiropractors specializing in mobility and functional movement. Your rehab specialists work under the direction of your Chiropractor and have a variety of corrective exercise certifications and are well versed in rehabilitative movement.
Can I schedule a Massage at Tangelo?
Manual therapy and soft tissue work is performed by your Chiropractor as a portion of your standard appointments. If you are looking for a traditional massage appointment, we have a licensed massage therapist who works out of our West Seattle location, or we can refer you out to another specialist in the area closest to you!
Feel free to book a massage appointment directly at our West Seattle location; you’ll be in great hands!
Can I schedule a Graston or Cupping Appointment?
Graston and Cupping are both treatment techniques which our providers can implement during your appointment based on your injury and treatment needs. All Tangelo Chiropractors have training and experience in Graston and Cupping. These techniques are most effective when paired with manual therapy and rehabilitative exercises and are provided in conjunction with full appointments.
Appointment FAQs
What does the first visit look like?
Your Doctor will take you through a comprehensive functional movement evaluation and orthopedic exam, discuss the nature of your condition, medical history, and your goals for treatment. Here’s what you can expect during a visit:
- A clear diagnosis and specific, reasonable plan to help you meet your goal
- Treatment that includes manual therapy and/or an adjustment to reduce pain and restore movement
- Rehabilitation and corrective exercises are performed to target your strength and balance
- We empower you with instruction and strategy to ensure you get out of pain quickly and overcome pain long-term
What is a Consultation vs a New Patient Appointment?
A consultation is a 15-20 minute complimentary appointment where you can meet your Doctor and discuss your injury, history and the various methods we would use to treat your injury. No treatment would be done at the consultation, these appointments are meant to help you decide if we are the right fit for you and your treatment goals. New Patient Appointments are an hour long and include a comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and rehab.
What if I can’t make it to an appointment?
To make a schedule change, call, text or email the clinic by noon the business day prior to your reserved appointment time to reschedule or cancel. Changes made after 12:00pm the business day prior will incur a late cancellation fee of $100.
How long are appointments?
New Patient Appointments are about an hour long and follow up appointments will be about 45-55 minutes.
Can I schedule appointments two days in a row?
Yes! Each appointment will continue to build off of previous treatments.
How often will I need to come in for appointments?
Your Doctor will determine a customized treatment plan for you at your first appointment. Every person is unique and comes to us with different goals and treatment needs, so each treatment plan is individually crafted for each patient.
Will you take x-rays at my first appointment?
If imaging is required for your specific injury we will refer you to a local imaging company to obtain quick results.
What should I wear/bring to my first appointment?
We recommend wearing comfortable athletic clothing. Wear shorts for back-related and lower extremity complaints and a tank top or t-shirt for neck-related and upper extremity complaints. Bring your Health Insurance Card, Photo ID, and calendar/schedule in order to reserve future appointments. Intake paperwork is to be completed online prior to check-in.
I would like to send medical records / referrals / imaging results to Tangelo. How can I do that?
Please have your Doctor fax medical documents to your Tangelo Clinic. Greenlake Fax: 206.926.7899 / West Seattle Fax: 206.926.7908 / Portland Fax: 971.277.4435
Spinal Decompression FAQs
What is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression is an advanced treatment therapy to heal bulging, herniated or degenerative discs.
What does Spinal Decompression do?
Spinal decompression treatment is performed on a specialized table. While you’re on the table, spinal decompression creates a pumping motion at the specific disc level that’s injured or damaged, creating a vacuum effect that allows it to absorb water from the body and heal.
Is Spinal Decompression the same as traction?
No, it’s different. Spinal decompression is more advanced and specific. Traction is static and non-specific. In other words, it will stretch the whole lumbar spine or the whole cervical spine. Then it just holds, there is no pumping motion. Spinal decompression is highly specific to the disc level that’s injured, and it’s dynamic in that it pulls and releases many times over a treatment period, creating the vacuum effect and hydrating the disc.
How long are treatments?
Treatment sessions are anywhere from 15 – 25 minutes, depending on the table utilized.
Does it hurt?
Not at all, in fact many patients fall asleep because this is the first time they’ve been out of pain.
Is Spinal Decompression backed by research?
Yes. We have research supporting spinal decompression from institutions around the country. We routinely see patient success rates in the 80- 90% range.
How many visits will I need?
This will be determined by the doctor based on your condition and severity; but typically, it’s anywhere from 20-30 visits over approximately 90 days.
Is Spinal Decompression covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, no. Insurance companies consider it an elective procedure, similar to Lasik eye surgery.
How much does Spinal Decompression Cost?
The total investment in your protocol will vary based on the severity of the condition and which if any, additional therapies may be needed. But to give you a ballpark number, it’s usually somewhere between $150-225 per visit.
Are the results long lasting?
Yes. Once the disc is healed, you can typically go back to doing your normal activities. We do recommend physical therapy to strengthen your core muscles, but this can be done either in the office, with a PT or at home.
What if it doesn’t work?
There’s always a possibility in healthcare that things won’t turn out the way we planned. We are selective about who we treat with spinal decompression therapy. Your doctor will perform an evaluation to make sure that he feels you’re a good candidate for care.
How quickly will I start to see results?
Most patients start to feel changes within the first two weeks.