Your Journey to Wellness Begins Here: What to Expect on Your Visits
Welcome to Colorado Springs Spine & Injury! We’re honored you’re considering us for your healthcare needs. We understand that visiting a new clinic can bring questions, and we want to ensure you feel comfortable, informed, and confident in the care you’ll receive from Dr. Rodolfo “Rudy” Rivas, D.C., and our dedicated team.
This page outlines what you can expect during your initial appointments as we work together to understand your health concerns and develop a personalized path toward your recovery and wellness goals.
Before Your First Visit: Save Time with Online Forms
To make your first visit as smooth and efficient as possible, we encourage you to complete our new patient forms online prior to your appointment. This will save you time in the office and allow us to focus more quickly on your consultation.
If you are unable to complete the forms beforehand, please plan to arrive a few minutes early to fill them out in our office.
Your First Visit: Consultation, Examination & Understanding Your Needs
Your first visit is a crucial step in understanding your condition and how we can best help you. Here’s what this comprehensive appointment typically involves:
1. Warm Welcome & Paperwork Review Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our friendly staff. If you’ve completed your forms online, we’ll quickly review them. If not, we’ll provide you with the necessary paperwork.
2. In-Depth Consultation with Dr. Rivas You’ll then meet with Dr. Rudy Rivas for a thorough consultation. This is your opportunity to discuss your health history, current symptoms, any injuries, and your specific health and wellness goals. Dr. Rivas believes in truly listening to his patients to understand the full picture of your health.
3. Detailed Chiropractic Examination Following your consultation, Dr. Rivas will perform a comprehensive chiropractic examination. This detailed assessment is designed to uncover the root cause of your issues and may include: * Review of your health history * Postural assessment * Range of motion tests to evaluate mobility and flexibility * Strength testing to assess muscle function * Orthopedic testing to identify specific joint or soft tissue problems * Neurological testing to evaluate nerve function * And more, as indicated by your specific condition.
4. X-Rays (If Clinically Necessary) Based on your examination findings, Dr. Rivas may determine that X-rays are needed to get a more detailed view of your spine or affected joints. X-rays can help identify underlying structural issues, degeneration, or contraindications to certain treatments, ensuring the safest and most effective care plan. XR will be performed if deemed necessary by Dr. Rivas.
5. Potential Initial Treatment Depending on your specific situation and examination findings, a gentle chiropractic adjustment and/or myofascial release may be administered on your first visit to help provide initial relief and begin the healing process. However, in some cases, Dr. Rivas may wait until after reviewing all findings (including X-rays) before commencing treatment.
Your Second Visit: Report of Findings & Personalized Treatment Plan
Your journey continues with a dedicated second appointment, which is your Report of Findings. During this important visit, Dr. Rivas will: * Thoroughly review the results of your consultation, examination, and any X-rays or radiological reports. * Clearly explain what these findings mean in relation to your condition and symptoms. * Answer any questions you may have. * Discuss a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and health goals. This plan will outline the recommended type of care, frequency of visits, and expected outcomes.
This collaborative approach ensures you are fully informed and comfortable with your path to recovery.
Ongoing Care: The Treatment Phase & Wellness
Once your treatment plan is established, your subsequent visits will focus on implementing that plan. This may include:
- Chiropractic Adjustments: To restore proper spinal alignment, improve joint function, and reduce nerve interference.
- Therapeutic Modalities: Such as Graston Technique, cupping, or dry needling, if indicated.
- Rehabilitative Stretches & Corrective Exercises: To improve strength, flexibility, and stability.
- Lifestyle and Ergonomic Advice: To help you manage your condition and prevent future issues.
We will regularly conduct progress evaluations to monitor your improvement and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan, ensuring you’re always on the most effective path to achieving your health goals. Many of our patients also choose to continue with wellness care after their initial concerns are resolved to maintain their progress and enjoy long-term health benefits.
Our Commitment to You
At Colorado Springs Spine & Injury, we are committed to providing a warm, professional, and healing environment. We strive to empower you with knowledge about your health and involve you in every step of your care. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.
We look forward to welcoming you to our clinic and partnering with you on your journey to a healthier, more active life!
Ready to take the first step? Contact us today at (719) 598-6955 to schedule your initial consultation.