We look at your body as a whole. We analyze your daily patterns and get to the root of your problems. We incorporate many options to address your specific issues. First, a thorough chiropractic exam is performed using physical and orthopedic exams. Posture and gait analysis are performed. Muscle testing and functional assessments are incorporated. We determine whether your condition is a joint misalignment or fixation, soft tissue dysfunction, or a muscular imbalance.

After we gather enough information, we design a specific care plan for each patient. Some patients need a basic "tune up". Others may need a series of treatments that may include electrical muscle stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound or neuro-muscular reeducation. Chiropractic care is used to remove any spinal dysfunctions, spinal subluxations, and to increase range of motion. Soft tissue therapy is used to correct myofascial(muscular) dysfunction. We have two excellent Licensed Massage Therapists/Chiropractic Assistants on staff to address the muscular component. Functional assessment and rehabilitation are used to correct dysfunctional movement patterns and to strengthen and re-train muscles for better balance, coordination, and posture. This is the crucial component that will help to correct weaknesses, and help you hold your adjustments longer. Using state of the art equipment and analyzing dynamic movement patterns, we can tweak your form and correct your posture, thus giving you optimal health and optimal performance.

1. Health History and Consultation (Can we help?)

This is a get-acquainted visit to determine if chiropractic care will benefit you. You will meet Doctor Bardwell and he will decide if this is the best place for you to be. It should be clearly understood that Doctor Bardwell does not accept all patients for chiropractic care in this office; however, he does help almost all that he accepts. The purpose of the first visit is to gather as much information as possible so Doctor bardwell can make that determination and set a course of action.

Our patients fill out an in-depth health questionnaire. Next is a consultation with Doctor Bardwell. He will delve into the current reason for consulting the office. He will ask about your prior health history, health concerns, lifestyle, etc. He will correlate all information and make recommendations for additional tests, should they be necessary.

2. Examination (How do we know?)

At this stage Doctor Bardwell gives a physical examination of your structural and moving body, which is usually more extensive and precise than when performed by any other health care professional. Dr. Bardwell looks at posture, range of motion, etc. followed by a more specific evaluation of an injury or complaint. It is this specificity which is the strength of Dr. Bardwell's chiropractic examination.

Dr. Bardwell will be looking for any deviation from normal posture. Muscle weakness and spasticity can in almost all cases explain postural deviations. Visual examination of soft tissue swelling and changes in muscle size, known as hypertrophy or atrophy, will give Dr. Bardwell important diagnostic clues. This part of the examination is known as postural analysis.

Dr. Bardwell will be feeling for heat and swelling of any injured areas. Feeling the local soft tissues and bones is always an important part of a proper examination. Palpating the muscles in the area will reveal any muscle dysfunction which may require therapy. This part of the examination is known as static palpation.

Dr. Bardwell will be feeling for motion in the area of complaint, trying to locate any restriction due to the injury. Testing the end range of motion of a joint is sometimes referred to as an orthopedic test. This part of the examination is known as dynamic palpation.

Besides looking, feeling and moving, neurological tests offer useful information for Dr. Bardwell to diagnose any problem(s). Tapping the deep tendon reflexes and evaluating for loss of sensation are both necessary in locating nerve entrapments. Manual testing of muscles for strength or weakness will give further information. This part of the examination is known as functional neurology.


3. X-Ray (Blueprint of your spine)

X-rays reveal the extent of any disease and damage (examples; arthritis, degeneration, etc) to the bones. They also show fractures and spinal defects. Doctor Bardwell especially looks for misalignments, subluxations, or distortions of the spinal column, which show up on x-ray.

1. Relating of Findings (A plan to help)

On the second visit Doctor Bardwell will schedule a report of findings to go over all the test results. He will discuss if chiropractic care can help you, what it will cost, and how long it will take. The length of time you may be under care depends on:

1) Your age and the length of time you have had the problem
2) The degree and number of spinal subluxations
3) Your occupation/activity level
4) Your cooperation in keeping appointments and your desire to do what you can to help
5) Your body’s ability to adapt to corrective changes.

2. Adjustment (The key to allowing your body to heal)