Chiropractic FAQs — Lombard IL | True Health Chiropractic and Acupuncture

Most chiropractic FAQ pages read like they were written by a lawyer. Ours is not. Below are the questions our patients actually ask — about cost, insurance, what we do, whether it works, why we are different, and what happens if nothing else has helped so far. If your question is not here, call us at (630) 796-2083 or book a Discovery Assessment and ask in person. Either works.

Your First Visit

What actually happens at my first visit?

Your first visit at True Health is a full Discovery Assessment, not a quick adjustment. We spend forty-five to sixty minutes on history, hands-on evaluation, posture and movement testing, and orthopedic and neurological screens. Then we sit down and explain — in plain language — what we found, what is actually causing your problem, and what a real plan looks like. Most patients tell us it is the first time anyone has actually explained what is going on in their body. If care makes sense for what we found, we tell you. If it does not, we tell you that too.

How long is the first appointment?

Forty-five to sixty minutes. That includes paperwork, a full history, a hands-on assessment of the area that hurts and everything connected to it, and a sit-down conversation where we walk you through what we found. We do not do five-minute adjustments on a first visit. The whole point of the Discovery Assessment is to figure out what is actually causing the problem before we put hands on anyone.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No. Chiropractors are primary access providers in Illinois, which means you can schedule directly without going through your primary care doctor first. If your specific insurance plan requires a referral for chiropractic, our front desk will help you sort that out at your first visit. Auto accidents, workers comp, and most major medical plans do not require a referral.

What should I wear to my chiropractic appointment?

Wear something you can move in. Loose, comfortable clothing is best — yoga pants, athletic shorts, a t-shirt. Avoid heavy belts, thick jewelry, or restrictive jeans. We do not have you change into a gown. The assessment involves us watching how you move, so anything that lets your hips, shoulders, and spine move freely will make it easier for us to see what is going on.

Do I have to commit to a long care plan?

No. After your Discovery Assessment we will recommend a plan based on what we actually found — that might be six visits, that might be twenty. We explain the why, the timeline, and what we expect to change at each phase. You decide visit by visit. We do not lock you into contracts or upfront packages. If something is not working, we change the plan or refer you out. Our goal is a real endpoint, not lifelong dependence on adjustments.

Conditions We Treat

What conditions does True Health treat?

We treat the structural and movement-related causes of pain — not just the painful spot. The most common conditions we see are chronic low back pain, sciatica, neck pain from desk work or posture, tension and migraine headaches, herniated and bulging discs, sports injuries, repetitive strain and overuse injuries, plantar fasciitis and other foot and ankle issues, frozen shoulder, prenatal back and hip pain, and post-auto-accident soft tissue injuries. If you are not sure whether what you have is something we can help with, call us. We will tell you honestly.

Can chiropractic help if I have already tried physical therapy, injections, and other chiropractors?

That describes most of our patients. People come to True Health specifically because nothing else has worked. The reason is usually that previous providers treated the area that hurts without finding what is actually causing it. The back is often compensating for a hip problem. The neck is often compensating for a shoulder problem. We start every new patient with a full assessment that traces the symptom back to its source. That is the difference. Treating where it hurts only works when the cause is in the same place.

Can chiropractic help with sciatica?

Yes, and this is one of the most common things we treat. Sciatica is a symptom — sharp, burning, or numb pain down the leg — caused by something irritating the sciatic nerve. The cause might be a disc bulge, a tight piriformis muscle, a misaligned pelvis, or all three. We do not just adjust the low back and hope it works. We figure out which structures are actually pressing on the nerve and build a plan that takes pressure off them — usually a combination of chiropractic, targeted rehab, and sometimes acupuncture.

Can chiropractic help with headaches and migraines?

Yes. A large portion of chronic headaches and many migraines have a cervical component — meaning the upper neck joints, muscles, and nerves are involved. Patients are surprised how much headache frequency drops once we address what is happening at the base of the skull and the upper cervical spine. We combine adjustments, soft tissue work, posture correction for desk workers, and often acupuncture for the autonomic component of migraines. If your headaches are not cervicogenic we will find that out at your assessment and refer you appropriately.

Can chiropractic help with neck pain from sitting at a computer all day?

Yes — this is the single most common complaint we see from professionals in Lombard, Oak Brook, and Elmhurst. Hours at a desk pull the head forward, lock up the upper back, overload the neck, and trigger headaches, shoulder pain, and tingling into the arms. Adjustments unlock the joints. Rehab rebuilds the postural endurance that keeps it from coming back. We also give you specific changes to your workstation and movement habits so the eight hours at your desk stop undoing the progress.

Do you treat herniated and bulging discs?

Yes, and conservatively. Most disc injuries respond to non-surgical care — chiropractic, decompression, targeted rehab, and sometimes acupuncture for pain management. We do imaging review at your first visit, identify which disc level is involved and which nerve is being irritated, and build a plan around that specific injury. Surgery is sometimes the right answer, and we will tell you when it is. But the majority of disc patients we see avoid surgery entirely when conservative care is built around the actual injury instead of a generic protocol.

How We Work

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled force applied to a specific joint to restore normal motion. Joints that are stuck or moving incorrectly create compensation patterns, irritate nerves, and load surrounding tissues abnormally. Restoring motion to the joint takes pressure off the nerve, lets the muscles around it stop guarding, and gives the body a chance to actually heal. We use a range of techniques — from traditional hands-on manipulation to lower-force instrument-assisted methods — based on what your body needs and what you are comfortable with.

What is the popping or cracking sound during an adjustment?

It is called a cavitation. When a joint is taken through its normal range of motion under controlled pressure, gases dissolved in the joint fluid release rapidly, creating a popping sound. It is not bones cracking and it is not the spine being forced. Some adjustments make the sound, some do not — the sound is not a measure of whether the adjustment worked. Some of our most effective techniques are silent.

Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

For most patients, no. The adjustment itself usually feels like a release of pressure or a quick stretch. Some patients feel mild soreness afterward — similar to what you feel a day after a workout — which usually fades within twenty-four hours. If you are in acute pain, we use modified, lower-force techniques until the area calms down. We do not do aggressive manipulation on inflamed tissue. The first conversation we have with every new patient is about your comfort level, what you are okay with, and what you are not.

How is True Health different from other chiropractors?

Two things. First, we look for the cause instead of treating the area that hurts. Most chiropractors adjust the spot that is bothering you. We trace it back to what is causing it — which is often somewhere else. Second, we combine chiropractic, acupuncture, and rehab under one care team and one coordinated plan. Most clinics do one thing and refer you out for the rest. We do all three, in the same building, talking to each other about the same patient. That is what makes a real endpoint possible instead of endless symptom chasing.

What is the difference between chiropractic and physical therapy?

They overlap but they are not the same. Physical therapists generally focus on rebuilding strength and movement after injury through exercise progression. Chiropractors focus on joint motion, nerve function, and the structural restrictions that keep movement from working in the first place. Neither is better. They work best together — which is why we offer rehabilitation alongside chiropractic in the same plan. If you have done PT and it did not stick, it is usually because the underlying joint restrictions were never addressed. If you have done chiropractic and the pain keeps coming back, it is usually because nothing was built back to hold the correction.

Why do you combine chiropractic, acupuncture, and rehab in one plan?

Because most chronic problems have more than one driver. The back pain you came in for might be a disc issue plus a sleep problem plus a stress component plus a movement-pattern issue. Chiropractic handles the structural piece. Rehab rebuilds the stability that keeps the correction. Acupuncture addresses pain, inflammation, and the systemic and nervous system components that adjustments alone do not reach. Running them separately at three different clinics wastes your time and money and nobody is talking to each other. We coordinate the whole plan in one place.

Safety and Special Situations

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes. Chiropractic care is one of the most thoroughly researched conservative treatments for musculoskeletal pain, and the safety record — especially compared to long-term medication use, injections, or surgery — is well established. The most common side effect is mild post-adjustment soreness that resolves within a day. Serious complications are rare and the risk profile is significantly lower than common alternatives like prescription pain medication. We screen every new patient for the conditions that would change our approach, and we modify or refer out when something is not appropriate for chiropractic care.

Can I see a chiropractor if I have had back surgery?

Often, yes — but the approach changes. We use techniques designed to work around fused levels and instrumentation, and we focus on the segments above and below the surgical site, which often take on extra load and become symptomatic over time. We ask for your surgical records, your imaging, and a clear understanding of what was done before we begin. Many post-surgical patients get significant relief from conservative care that addresses the compensation patterns the surgery did not fix.

Can older adults safely receive chiropractic care?

Yes. A large portion of our patients are over sixty-five. We modify techniques for bone density, joint health, and overall tolerance — using lower-force instrument adjustments, mobilization, and soft tissue work when needed. The goals shift too: instead of resolving an acute injury we are often working on mobility, balance, and keeping you doing the things you want to keep doing. Many older patients tell us they had been told to just live with the pain. They were told wrong.

Can pregnant women see a chiropractor?

Yes, and we see a lot of them. Prenatal chiropractic is safe when performed by trained providers using pregnancy-specific techniques and tables. We address the structural changes pregnancy puts on the low back, hips, pelvis, and ribcage — and we can help with everything from sciatica to round ligament pain to carpal tunnel to optimizing pelvic position for delivery. Most of our prenatal patients come in because they are dealing with pain their OB told them was just part of being pregnant. It does not have to be.

Can children get chiropractic adjustments?

Yes, with techniques specifically modified for children. Pediatric adjustments use a fraction of the force used on adults — often just the pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. We see kids for posture issues, sports injuries, growing-pain complaints, and the occasional post-birth structural follow-up. We work with parents to make sure any pediatric care is appropriate, comfortable for the child, and clearly explained. If we do not think chiropractic is the right answer for a specific child, we say so.

Cost and Insurance

Does insurance cover chiropractic care at True Health?

Most major medical plans include chiropractic benefits. We accept most insurance and our front desk verifies your specific coverage before your first visit so you know exactly what is covered, what your copay is, and what your deductible looks like. We also accept HSA and FSA payments, auto insurance (PIP and Med Pay), workers comp, and self-pay. If your plan has weak chiropractic coverage we will tell you upfront and walk through your options before any decisions get made.

How much does a chiropractic visit cost without insurance?

Self-pay rates vary by visit type — a Discovery Assessment is different from a follow-up adjustment, and adding acupuncture or rehab changes the cost. We publish honest pricing and walk every new patient through what your specific plan will look like before care begins. We also offer care packages that lower the per-visit cost for longer plans. Call us at (630) 796-2083 for current rates. We are not interested in surprising anyone with a bill.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. We have payment plan options for self-pay patients, and we structure care packages to make longer treatment plans manageable. We also accept HSA and FSA, which often makes care effectively pre-tax. Money should not be the reason someone keeps living in pain. If cost is the obstacle, talk to our front desk — there is almost always a way to make a plan work.

Will my auto insurance cover chiropractic care after a car accident?

If you have PIP (Personal Injury Protection) or Med Pay coverage on your auto policy, yes — those benefits cover medically necessary care after an accident, including chiropractic. Illinois requires auto insurers to offer PIP coverage. We verify your coverage at intake, bill directly when possible, and document everything for any future claim or attorney involvement. You do not need to have an attorney to start care, and starting early actually strengthens any case you might later pursue.

Results and Timeline

How many chiropractic appointments will I need?

It depends entirely on what we find — and on how long the problem has been there. A simple acute strain might resolve in six to eight visits. A chronic pattern that has been building for ten years takes longer. After your Discovery Assessment we give you a specific plan with a real endpoint — typically a two-phase plan that addresses the acute problem first, then rebuilds stability so it does not come back. We re-evaluate at each phase. If progress stalls we change the plan or refer out. We do not put people on visits forever.

How quickly will I feel better?

Most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first three to six visits. Some feel relief after the first adjustment. Some take longer — especially if the problem is chronic, disc-related, or post-surgical. We are clear about realistic timelines at your assessment so you know what to expect. If you are not progressing the way we predicted, we tell you, we change the plan, or we send you somewhere else. Honest timelines are part of how we work.

Do I have to come forever?

No. The whole point of True Health is a real endpoint. Once we have addressed the cause and rebuilt the stability around it, most patients move into a maintenance or wellness phase — checking in every few weeks or months — or they stop entirely until something new comes up. Some patients choose ongoing care because they feel and perform better that way. That is a choice, not a requirement. Lifelong adjustments are not the goal. Fixing the actual problem is.

Logistics and About Us

Where is True Health located?

True Health Chiropractic and Acupuncture is located at 477 E Butterfield Rd Ste 205, Lombard, IL 60148 — just east of Main Street in central Lombard, with easy access from I-355, I-88, and Butterfield Road. We serve patients across DuPage County including Lombard, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Villa Park, Addison, and surrounding communities. Free parking is available on-site.

What is the phone number for True Health?

(630) 796-2083. You can also book online at my-truehealth.com. Our front desk answers during normal hours and we return after-hours messages first thing the next morning.

What are your hours?

We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with early morning and evening hours, plus Tuesday and Thursday by appointment. Specific hours are listed on our Google Business Profile and the contact page of our website — and we hold same-week appointment slots for new patients with acute pain or post-accident situations. Call us with your schedule and we will fit you in.

Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Yes. We ask for twenty-four hours notice when possible so we can release the slot to another patient who needs it. Life happens — if you need to reschedule, just call us. We do not bill late fees for occasional last-minute changes. If you have an unexpected work conflict, a sick kid, or a same-day emergency, just tell us.

Are you part of TRU Health Family Chiropractic in Downers Grove?

No. True Health Chiropractic and Acupuncture is an independent Lombard-based clinic. We are not affiliated with TRU Health Family Chiropractic in Downers Grove. The names sound similar but the practices are separate. True Health Chiropractic and Acupuncture has been serving DuPage County since our founding and is led by Dr. Amanda Myers and Dr. Brittany Simmons.

What is a Discovery Assessment and why do I need one?

The Discovery Assessment is the first visit for every new patient. It is a forty-five to sixty minute deep dive — full history, hands-on exam, posture and movement testing, orthopedic and neurological screens, and a sit-down conversation where we explain what we found and what a real plan looks like. The reason we require it is simple: we cannot tell you whether we can help you without actually examining you. And we are not interested in selling care to someone who does not need it or whose problem is outside our scope. The Discovery Assessment is how we make sure both of us are making an informed decision.

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