Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Accept Insurance?

I am not contracted with any insurance companies nor do I provide any services covered by Medicare.

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What is Your Fee Schedule?

Below is an explaination of my fees. In addition to fees that are reasonable and customary for the area, I have two discounted pre-pay options. Also know that I ultimately wish to serve my community and that I would not want a strict financial policy to get in the way of that.

New Patient Comprehensive Service - 100 - Services include initial patient intake, comprehensive history, examination, recommended treatment plan to reach individual health goals, and initial treatment.

Office Visit - 50 - 20 minutes. Chiropractic joint manipulation and targeted soft tissue release therapy.

Extended Office Visit - 90 - 40 minutes. Extended office visit to address multiple regions.

Hour Visit - 135 - 60 minutes. Most comprehensive service for multi-region and complex cases.

I accept cash, check, visa, mastercard, American Express, Discover, FSA, and HSA accounts.

What Is Chiropractic?

There has always existed a void in the health care marketplace to serve the needs of those with neuromusculoskeletal complaints, such as low back pain, headaches, sciatica, numbness/tingling in the arms… that arise from a mechanical cause. Chiropractors exist for the purpose of treating mechanical joint problems. We explore movement and focus on the goal of restoring normal biomechanics to the spine and extremities with manual methods. Traditional chiropractic therapy typically consists of spinal manipulation, but also encompasses many other techniques used to restore joint function. See our services.​

When Do You Take X-rays?

I do not require x-rays to adjust. In most cases a good chiropractor can feel what an x-ray will show. I only take x-rays if the history and examination findings indicate that it is medically necessary (trauma, anomaly, bone disease, old fracture, etc). Under these circumstances, I would refer the patient to their primary care physician or a local imaging center. This cost is typically covered by most insurance policies.

What is an adjustment (Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy)?

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An adjustment or manipulation is the act of putting a precise, controlled force through a restricted joint in an effort to restore normal mobility and function of the joint and sorrounding musculature. The adjustment typically results in a ‘cracking’ or ‘popping’ sound. The joints in your spine contain a fluid called synovial fluid. The brief movement creates a vacuum within the joint, causing some of the dissolved gases in the synovial fluid to come out of solution and form a gas bubble. This creates the audible sound typically heard with an adjustment.

Are Chiropractic adjustments safe?

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The chiropractic adjustment carries a very low risk of serious complication. Patients may experience mild soreness following an initial treatment, which may last for 24-48 hours. Some patients feel improvement immediately. How a patient recovers depends on the ability of the patient’s body to adapt to the new flexibility aquired from the adjustment. This is not unlike soreness after an initial workout following a six month break from the gym. Part of the skill of delivering an adjustment is the ability of the practitioner to adapt the adjustment to the patient's tolerance while maintaining its effectiveness.

How much care will I need?

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This is a difficult question to answer for any medical professional given that patients are not all the same. The main factors that determine how much care is necessary are the individual’s ability to recover, the treatment goals (symptom reduction, functional restoration, or prevention of further relapses), age, severity of the condition, chronicity of the condition, and adherance to the treatment plan & frequency.

​Once a patient's primary complaint is resolved and proper movement and function are returned, exercises are given to maintain functional and structural integrity. Patients that maintain physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle require very infrequent care unless they re-injure themselves. However, some patients have significant degenerative changes or past traumas that have resulted in permanent changes. These patients may require ongoing management.

That being said, I can say that it is not unusual to feel significant relief after the first visit, good improvement after 4-6 visits and a return to their previous level of health and function within 8-12 visits. Those who elect to continue care on an infrequent basis and adopt healthier lifestyles suffer far less reinjury.

What are the edcuational requirements of Chiropractor?

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The Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree requires a minimum of ten 15-week trimesters (three years, four months total) of full-time resident study, including a clinical intership. This is equivalent to five academic years.

Summary of course hours for a Doctor of Chiropractic:

• Anatomy – 585 hours

• Biochemistry – 75 hours

• Physiopathology – 345 hours

• Microbiology & Public Health – 120 hours

• Diagnosis – 525 hours

• Diagnostic Imaging – 270 hours

• Clinical Laboratory – 75 hours

• Associated Studies – 165 hours

• Chiropractic Philosophy – 135 hours

• Chiropractic Technique – 615 hours

• Ancillary Therapeutic Procedures – 90 hours

• Clinical Practice Issues – 75 hours

• Clinical Experience & Outpatient Services – 1,320 hours

• Total Core Hours – 4,380 hours

• Elective Courses – 225 hours

• Total – 4,620 hours

In addition to completing graduate training, Dr. Gale has completely post-graduate courses in advanced manual manipulative and soft tissue release therapies for both spine and extremities as well as nutrition and lifestyle coaching.