No. Chiropractors are primary contact providers in Missouri, which means you can schedule directly without a referral from your medical doctor. Some insurance plans — particularly certain HMOs — may require a referral for coverage purposes, so it’s worth a quick call to your insurer if you’re unsure.

Your first visit is mostly about understanding your problem. We’ll go through your health history and the specifics of your symptoms, then perform a physical exam that typically includes orthopedic and neurological testing, range-of-motion assessment, and palpation of the spine and surrounding soft tissue. If imaging is needed, we’ll discuss it. From there, we’ll explain what we found in plain language and outline a treatment plan. In most cases, treatment begins the same day.

Plan on about 45–60 minutes for your initial evaluation. Follow-up visits are considerably shorter — usually 15–20 minutes.

Wear comfortable, loose clothing that allows you to move freely. Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications, and any recent imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT) or reports related to your condition. If you’re being treated after an auto accident or work injury, bring your claim information as well.

Not always. We order imaging when the clinical picture calls for it — after significant trauma, when there are red-flag findings, when symptoms suggest a structural problem, or when a patient’s history warrants it. We don’t take routine X-rays on every patient as a matter of course.