Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring To My First Visit?

Thank you for choosing Dr. Donovan as your Chiropractic and or Active Release provider. There are a few items that you can bring to make your first appointment go smoother. Please print and complete both the New Patient forms and Privacy Policy forms prior to your appointment time. These forms can accessed via this link Download & Print Form or call us at 650-348-4233 and we would be happy to either fax or email them to you. If you have insurance, please bring your proof of insurance or insurance card. Please also bring your calendar so we can schedule your next appointment if necessary. If you are visiting for a sports related injury, please bring your running shoes, sports gear, or anything that you would like to discuss with your doctor during your appointment. If you are being seen for a upper back or shoulder problem bringing a tank top or t-shirt is helpful in allowing access to the area.

We trust these suggestions will make your first visit to Dr. Donovan’s office easy and enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you then. Should you have any questions prior to your appointment please feel free to call or email.

What is Active Release Technique?

Active Release Techniques treatment is a hands-on treatment and case-management system that allows a practitioner to diagnose and treat soft-tissue injuries and conditions. Soft tissue refers to muscle, ligament, tendon, fascia and nerves. These injuries are a growing cause of disability in this country.

This is accomplished by examination of the patient to find and reduce and or remove the poorly functioning soft tissue structures ensuring that:

· Optimal tissue texture and movement are restored.

· Strength, flexibility, relative movement and function is restored.

· Release any soft-tissue restrictions, entrapped nerves, restricted circulatory structures and or lymphatic structures.

ART is based on a well developed understanding or anatomy, physiology, and the biomechanics sports and everyday life. Providers must be certified and engage in ongoing continuing education. As a dynamic technique, practitioners are involved in finding new and better ways of improving upon ART’s clinical efficacy.

Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?

Pregnant mothers often find that chiropractic adjustments make their pregnancy more comfortable. Some even report that it makes delivery easier. Adjusting techniques and approaches are always adapted to a patients size, weight, age, and comfort. Pregnant women often find adjustments to their feet particularly helpful during the last trimester.

Once you go to the Chiropractor, do you have to go the rest of your life?

This is entirely up to you. We will discuss, you situation, my recommendations and any concerns you have.  Patients often elect to simply recover from a painful or dysfunctional situation and then discontinue care.  Other patients choose to be seen periodically to catch problems early or simply prevent them from becoming a problem.  I have not experienced a dental problem in 20 years, yet I continue my twice a year checkups because preventing problems and or catching them early is important to me. Chiropractors either fix problems or help patients manage them and then do our best to keep new ones from developing. An important part of what I do is teaching patients how to care for themselves so you can maintain your health with the maximum amount of autonomy.

How long does it take?

The initial examination takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition, complexity and history of the individual. Each treatment takes about 20 minutes.

How many visits does it take?

This depends on your particular condition. A person with a long history or injuries, as you can imagine, would have a different treatment plan than one who had who did not. The national average is nine office visits the last time we checked. Dr. Donovan will better be able to predict how many visits are necessary after your first examination. Dr. Donovan will give you recommendations and monitor your progress.  Should you improve more quickly than expected he will adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

The Chiropractor listens to each patients unique issues, preferences and history during the consultation.  This coupled with a comprehensive chiropractic examination allows Dr. Donovan to develop an individual course of care. One plan does not fit all patients. No two patients are adjusted exactly the same way.  We blend a variety of chiropractic techniques to find what works best.  Our recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.

Is Chiropractic safe?

A recent study concluded that injury related to chiropractic adjustment was less than 1.25 incidents per million treatments. It is interesting to note serious complications from aspirin ingestion were 3,000 per one million patients. Chiropractic was deemed one of the most conservative forms of intervention available today.

Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?

Absolutely yes! Patients who have had back surgery will need to be treated differently based on what type of surgery they have had. Unfortunately many of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. This too common occurrence is know as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." In fairness it does make for a more complicated case but does not prevent us from helping. The use of Active Release Technique with Chiropractic care often works best.

How much does it cost?

Our exam runs from $95 to $125 depending on the complexity of your case. There is no charge for Dr. Donovan to either consult with you or to present his findings once an examination has been performed.  Individual visits run from $50 to $75 dollars depending on the severity of your case and how much treatment is done. If your insurance does not cover chiropractic, we have a payment plan that is within most people's budget.  Please feel free to call us prior to your visit if you have questions 650-348-4233.

Do Chiropractors adjust Feet?

Adjusting patient’s feet is a common occurrence at our office. Chiropractor's primary focus may be the treatment of the spine but Chiropractic treatment of the feet can effect the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and Active Release Technique (soft tissue therapy) work well together are very helpful for foot and ankle conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, even improving symptoms in Diabetic feet and helping with balance problems.  Dr. Donovan has taken years of postgraduate training focusing on the treatment of non-spinal conditions such as foot, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow pain.

What is the most important thing I can do for myself for back pain?

Take care of yourself! Pay attention to the D.R.E.A.M concept. Even the most damaged back (or neck or shoulder for that matter) will be better if you pay attention to and take care of DIET, REST, EXERCISE, ALIGNMENT and MINDFULNESS. These are important for overall health and specifically for musculoskeletal pain. We routinely give prescriptions in these areas whether for TMJ problems or even for bunions