Here’s exactly what happens when you walk through our door.
We know choosing a chiropractor can feel like a big decision — especially if you’ve never been to one, or if your past experience didn’t go the way you expected. We do things differently here, and we want you to know exactly what that looks like before you ever set foot in the office.
No surprises. No pressure. Just a thorough process designed to find out what’s going on with your spine and give you the information you need to make a real decision about your health.
A few things to know up front
When you schedule online, you’ll fill out your intake paperwork digitally ahead of time. This saves you time in the office and lets Dr. Palmer review your history before you arrive so he’s prepared for your visit — not reading your forms for the first time while you sit in a room.
Plan for about 45 minutes on your first visit. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. If you have any previous imaging (X-rays, MRIs), bring them or have them sent — but don’t worry if you don’t. We take our own films in-office.
Day 1 — Examination & imaging
Your first visit is all about finding out what’s actually happening. We don’t adjust on Day 1 — because we don’t guess. We need to see the full picture before we ever make a recommendation or touch your spine.
We sit down and talk
Dr. Palmer will review your health history and have a real conversation with you about what’s going on — your symptoms, your concerns, your goals, and anything you’ve tried before. This isn’t a rushed check-the-box intake. We want to understand your full picture.
A thorough spinal and neurological exam
We perform a detailed evaluation including postural analysis, spinal palpation, range of motion testing, and neurological assessment. We’re looking at how your spine is moving, where it’s not, and how it’s affecting your nervous system function.
Full-spine X-rays taken in-house
We take full-spine X-rays right here in the office. This is non-negotiable in our practice — we need to see the structure of your spine before we can build a plan to correct it. Your films are analyzed before your next visit so Dr. Palmer can show you exactly what’s happening.
We schedule your report of findings
Before you leave, we’ll schedule your Day 2 visit — usually within 1–2 days. Between visits, Dr. Palmer will personally review your exam findings and imaging, and build your individualized care recommendation.
Day 2 — Report of findings & first adjustment
This is the visit where everything comes together. You’ll understand what’s going on, why it matters, and exactly what we recommend. And if you’re ready, you’ll receive your first adjustment.
Dr. Palmer walks you through everything
You’ll sit down with Dr. Palmer and go through your X-rays together. He’ll show you exactly what he found — areas of subluxation, structural misalignment, degenerative changes, and how these findings relate to your symptoms and overall function. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just an honest explanation of where you are and what your options look like.
We answer every question. You decide.
This isn’t a hard sell. We present the findings, explain the recommendation, answer your questions, and give you the space to make an informed decision. If you want to start care, we’ll get you on the schedule. If you want to think about it, that’s completely fine too. Our job is to give you the truth — what you do with it is up to you.
If you’re ready, we get to work
Your first chiropractic adjustment is specific to your findings. It’s not a generic “crack everything” visit — every contact is based on your imaging, your exam, and your body’s needs. Most patients describe the adjustment as a relief. It takes just a few minutes, and many people notice a difference immediately.
What the early phase of care looks like
If you choose to move forward with corrective care, the first phase is typically the most intensive. This is by design — not by accident.
Spinal correction requires repetition and consistency, especially early on. Think of it like braces on teeth: the initial phase requires more frequent visits to create structural change. As your spine stabilizes, visit frequency decreases. Every patient’s plan is different, but most people start with 2–3 visits per week in the initial corrective phase.
During this time, it’s completely normal to experience changes in how you feel. Some people feel significantly better right away. Others feel sore, tired, or different in ways they didn’t expect. Both responses are normal. Your body is adapting to a new structural position, and that process takes time.
“I’m not interested in being someone’s chiropractor for a week. I want to be your family’s chiropractor for life — because I’ve seen what happens when people commit to real spinal correction. It changes everything.”
Things people ask before their first visit
Ready to get started?
Schedule your new patient evaluation online. Fill out your paperwork ahead of time, and we’ll take it from there. No commitment required — just a thorough evaluation and an honest conversation about your spine.
Schedule Your Evaluation →Life Charge Chiropractic · Serving Gallatin, Hendersonville & surrounding communities