Your first chiropractic visit in Ankeny at Kimberlin Chiropractic Health Systems is a comprehensive evaluation – not a quick adjustment and out the door. It typically takes about an hour, covers your full health history, includes a thorough physical examination, and ends with a clear explanation of what we found and what we recommend. No pressure, no confusion, no surprises.
What the $50 New Patient Special Actually Includes
New patients at our Ankeny practice get started with a $50 new patient special that covers quite a bit more than a standard intake visit. Here’s exactly what’s included:
- Full consultation – We talk through your health history, current symptoms, prior injuries, what you’ve already tried, and what your goals are
- Physical examination – Orthopedic and neurological testing to assess how your spine and nervous system are functioning
- Laser digital foot scan – A precise scan of your foot mechanics to assess whether structural foot issues may be contributing to your pain
- Body composition analysis – Baseline data on muscle mass, body fat, and hydration status
- Report of findings – At the end of the visit, Dr. Dale walks you through everything he found and explains exactly what’s going on and what the path forward looks like
That’s a lot of information for $50. The goal is to make sure that by the time you leave your first visit, you understand your body better than you did when you walked in.
Before Your Appointment: What to Prepare
Coming to your first visit prepared helps everything go more smoothly and gives us more useful information to work with.
Bring Any Relevant Imaging
If you have prior X-rays, MRI reports, or CT scans related to the area you’re coming in for, bring them – or at minimum, the radiology reports. We have on-site X-ray capability and may take new images depending on what we find, but prior imaging gives us valuable context about your history.
List Your Current Medications and Supplements
This helps us understand your full health picture, especially if you’re managing chronic conditions. Some medications affect how the body responds to treatment, and knowing what you’re taking allows us to factor that in.
Be Ready to Describe Your Pain Honestly
Think about when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, whether it radiates or stays in one spot, and what your daily pain level is on average. The more specific you can be, the better. There are no wrong answers – just information that helps build a clearer picture.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
The physical examination involves moving through ranges of motion and lying down on the exam table. Comfortable, flexible clothing makes the process easier. You don’t need to bring anything special – just dress practically.
What Happens During the Consultation
The consultation is a real conversation – not a rushed intake form. Dr. Dale takes time to actually listen to what you’re dealing with, how long you’ve been dealing with it, and what’s already been tried. If you’ve had frustrating experiences with other providers who didn’t listen or rushed you through, this part often feels different.
We want to know your full health history – past injuries, surgeries, significant illnesses, and any conditions you’re currently managing. We also ask about your lifestyle: how active you are, what your work setup looks like, your sleep patterns, and your stress levels. All of it is relevant to understanding why your body is in the state it’s in.
The Physical Examination
The physical examination at your first visit is more thorough than most people expect. It’s not just checking where it hurts.
Postural Assessment
We evaluate how you’re standing and holding yourself – the position of your head over your shoulders, any lateral curves in the spine, pelvic tilt, and how weight is distributed through your feet. Posture tells a significant story about what’s been going on structurally over time.
Range of Motion Testing
We check how far you can move in each direction through the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and note where restriction or pain is present. Limitations in range of motion help identify which joints are restricted and need to be addressed.
Orthopedic and Neurological Testing
Specific orthopedic tests help identify disc involvement, nerve compression, joint dysfunction, and soft tissue injury. Neurological testing checks reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength in the arms and legs to identify whether nerve function is affected. This is particularly important for patients with radiating pain, numbness, or tingling.
On-Site X-Rays When Indicated
When X-rays are clinically appropriate – based on the history, mechanism of injury, age, or findings on examination – we can take them right here in the office. Seeing the actual structure of your spine before beginning treatment means we’re making decisions based on real information, not assumptions. Many patients have never had their spine imaged before, and X-rays often explain things that have been mysteries for years.
The Report of Findings
This is one of the parts of the first visit that patients consistently tell me they didn’t expect – and appreciated the most. After the consultation and examination, we sit down and I walk you through exactly what I found.
That means explaining what’s going on in plain language, showing you your posture analysis and any imaging, and telling you honestly what I think is driving your symptoms. I also tell you what I can help with and – importantly – what I can’t. If your condition requires a referral or a different type of specialist, I’ll say so directly rather than taking you on as a patient who I can’t genuinely help.
At the end of the report of findings, you’ll have a recommended care plan if treatment is appropriate. I’ll explain how many visits I recommend, what that treatment looks like, and what you can realistically expect in terms of timeline and results. You’re never pressured to commit to anything – you take that information and make the decision that’s right for you.
Common Questions Before a First Visit
Will I get adjusted at my first visit?
In many cases, yes – if the examination findings support it and you’re comfortable. Some patients prefer to take the report of findings home and think about it before starting treatment, and that’s completely fine. There’s no obligation to receive an adjustment at your first visit if you’re not ready.
Will the adjustment hurt?
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during chiropractic adjustments. Some people feel mild soreness in the treated area for a day or two after their first adjustment, similar to the feeling after a workout. This is normal and typically resolves quickly. If anything causes significant discomfort, we stop immediately and adjust the approach.
How do I know if chiropractic is right for my condition?
That’s exactly what the first visit is designed to determine. Our approach at Kimberlin Chiropractic is to evaluate first and recommend based on what we actually find – not assume that everyone who walks in is a chiropractic candidate. If you’re a good fit, we’ll tell you why. If you’re not, we’ll tell you that too and point you in the right direction.
Do you accept insurance?
We work with most major insurance plans. The best way to confirm your specific coverage is to call us directly – we can help you understand what your plan covers before you come in.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying chiropractic, the first visit is the lowest-stakes way to find out whether it’s right for you. Come in, get a thorough evaluation, hear what we find, and decide from there. No pressure, no commitment required. Patients in Ankeny and across the Des Moines area can schedule online at drdaledc.com/contact or call us at (515) 895-4927. New patients get started for just $50.
