Frequently Asked Questions

Chiropractic care is a healthcare discipline that focuses on diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders, with a special emphasis on treating these conditions through manual adjustment and manipulation of the spine. At Lakeside Spine & Injury Center, Dr. Allen uses precise, hands-on techniques to restore proper joint motion, reduce pain, and improve your body's natural healing ability.

Unlike traditional medicine that often relies on medications to mask symptoms, chiropractic care addresses the root cause of your pain and dysfunction, helping your body heal naturally without drugs or surgery.

Yes, chiropractic care is extremely safe when performed by a licensed professional. Dr. Allen has over 23 years of experience and uses evidence-based techniques that are among the safest treatments available for spine-related conditions.

Serious complications from chiropractic adjustments are exceptionally rare, occurring in less than 1 in 2 million treatments. Most patients experience immediate relief with no adverse effects.

The popping sound you hear during a chiropractic adjustment is caused by the release of nitrogen gas bubbles from the synovial fluid in your joints. This phenomenon is called cavitation and is completely harmless—similar to cracking your knuckles.

The sound doesn't indicate the effectiveness of the treatment. Some adjustments are silent yet equally beneficial for restoring proper joint function and reducing pain.

No referral is needed to see Dr. Allen at Lakeside Spine & Injury Center. As a primary healthcare provider, you can schedule directly with our office. This allows you to get the care you need without delays from other healthcare providers.

However, some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage, so it's worth checking your specific plan details if you're using insurance.

Absolutely! Children can safely benefit from gentle chiropractic care. Kids are naturally active and may experience falls, sports injuries, or postural issues from heavy backpacks and prolonged sitting.

Dr. Allen uses age-appropriate techniques that are much gentler than adult treatments. Many parents bring their children for wellness care to support proper growth and development, improve posture, and maintain optimal spinal health.

Not at all. Dr. Allen's goal is to get you better as quickly as possible and teach you how to maintain your improvement. The number of visits depends on your specific condition, how long you've had the problem, and your overall health.

Some patients feel better after just a few visits, while others with chronic conditions may need ongoing care. You're always in control of your treatment plan, and there are never high-pressure sales tactics or long-term contracts at our cash-based practice.

At Lakeside Spine & Injury Center, we offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments including spinal manipulation, soft-tissue therapy with IASTM tools, dry needling, cupping therapy, posture analysis, and therapeutic exercise programs.

Dr. Allen customizes your treatment plan based on your specific condition, preferences, and goals. This integrated approach addresses not just your symptoms, but the underlying cause of your pain.

Dry needling is a technique that uses thin needles to target muscle trigger points and release tension. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine and energy meridians, dry needling is grounded in Western medicine and focuses on neuromuscular dysfunction.

Dr. Allen uses dry needling to treat specific muscle knots and fascial restrictions that don't respond well to other treatments. Many patients experience immediate relief from chronic muscle tension and improved range of motion.

Most patients describe dry needling as minimally uncomfortable. You might feel a brief, mild sting when the needle is inserted, similar to a mosquito bite. When the needle hits a trigger point, you may feel a muscle twitch or cramping sensation that lasts just a few seconds.

Many patients are surprised by how tolerable the treatment is and often feel immediate relief as muscle tension releases during the session.

IASTM is a technique that uses specially designed stainless steel tools to detect and treat areas of soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. These FDA-approved tools allow Dr. Allen to precisely target scar tissue and adhesions that limit mobility and cause pain.

The treatment creates controlled micro-trauma that stimulates your body's natural healing response, breaking down scar tissue and promoting the formation of healthy, functional tissue.

Cupping uses glass or silicone cups to create suction on the skin, lifting the underlying fascia and improving circulation. This increased blood flow helps reduce muscle tension, promotes healing, and flushes metabolic waste from tissues.

The treatment feels like a deep, stretching sensation and is quite relaxing for most patients. Cupping integrates perfectly with chiropractic adjustments and other therapies to enhance your overall treatment results.

Chiropractic adjustments are generally not painful. Most patients experience immediate relief and describe the sensation as satisfying, like "scratching an itch you couldn't reach." Dr. Allen uses gentle, precise techniques tailored to your comfort level.

Some patients may experience mild soreness similar to post-exercise muscle fatigue for 24-48 hours after treatment, which is completely normal as your body adjusts to improved alignment.

We specialize in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sports injuries, auto accident injuries, work-related injuries, arthritis pain, and postural problems.

Dr. Allen also treats conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder impingement, hip pain, knee pain, and TMJ disorders. If you're unsure whether we can help your specific condition, schedule a free consultation to find out.

Yes, chronic pain is one of our specialties. Dr. Allen takes a comprehensive approach to identify the root causes of your persistent pain, rather than just treating symptoms. This may involve addressing spinal misalignments, muscle imbalances, postural issues, and movement dysfunctions.

Many patients who have suffered for months or years find significant relief through our integrated treatment approach combining adjustments, soft tissue work, and corrective exercises.

Absolutely. Many headaches originate from tension in the neck muscles, cervical spine misalignments, or poor posture. Dr. Allen has successfully treated thousands of headache sufferers over his 23-year career.

Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and postural correction, many patients experience significant reduction in headache frequency and intensity, often eliminating their need for pain medications.

Yes, chiropractic care is highly effective for sciatica. Dr. Allen uses specific techniques to address the underlying causes of sciatic nerve irritation, whether it's from a herniated disc, piriformis syndrome, or spinal misalignment.

Treatment typically includes targeted spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension, and exercises to improve core stability and prevent recurrence of symptoms.

Herniated and bulging discs respond very well to conservative chiropractic care. Dr. Allen uses gentle, specific techniques like flexion-distraction and spinal decompression to reduce pressure on affected discs and surrounding nerves.

Many patients avoid surgery through proper chiropractic treatment combined with therapeutic exercises and lifestyle modifications. Early intervention typically leads to better outcomes.

Sports injury treatment is a major focus at our clinic. Dr. Allen works with athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to competitive athletes, treating everything from acute injuries to overuse conditions.

Our approach includes injury treatment, biomechanical analysis, corrective exercises, and injury prevention strategies to keep you performing at your best and reduce future injury risk.

Yes, it's highly recommended to see a chiropractor after any car accident, even if you feel fine initially. Many auto accident injuries like whiplash don't show symptoms immediately due to adrenaline and shock masking pain.

Early chiropractic intervention can prevent minor injuries from becoming chronic problems and help document your injuries for insurance purposes. Dr. Allen offers same-day appointments for accident victims.

Whiplash occurs when your head is suddenly jerked backward and forward during an accident, causing injury to the cervical spine, muscles, and ligaments. Symptoms can include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, shoulder pain, and cognitive issues.

Dr. Allen treats whiplash with gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, dry needling for muscle spasms, and rehabilitation exercises to restore normal neck function and prevent chronic pain.

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of injury and how quickly treatment begins. Mild cases may resolve in 2-4 weeks, while more severe injuries can take several months. Early intervention typically leads to faster, more complete recovery.

Factors affecting recovery include age, overall health, previous injuries, and compliance with treatment recommendations. Dr. Allen provides realistic timelines based on your specific case.

Most auto insurance policies include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage that covers chiropractic care after an accident. We can help you navigate your insurance benefits and work directly with your insurance company.

Our cash-based model also means transparent pricing with no surprise bills or complicated insurance hassles if you prefer to pay directly.

Lakeside Spine & Injury Center operates on a cash-based model, which means we don't directly bill insurance companies for regular visits. However, we can provide you with all necessary documentation to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

This approach eliminates insurance hassles, reduces costs, and allows Dr. Allen to focus on your care rather than insurance paperwork and restrictions.

Our transparent pricing includes a comprehensive initial consultation and treatment for $150, with follow-up visits at $75. Additional therapies like dry needling or IASTM may have modest additional fees, but everything is disclosed upfront with no hidden costs.

We offer package discounts for multiple visits and payment plans when needed. Our cash prices are often less than insurance co-pays and deductibles at other facilities.

Yes! Chiropractic care is an eligible expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). We provide detailed receipts with all necessary codes for your reimbursement.

Using these pre-tax dollars makes your care even more affordable and is a great way to maximize your healthcare benefits.

Our cash-based model allows us to focus entirely on patient care without insurance company interference in treatment decisions. This means no prior authorizations, no limited visit restrictions, and no dictating which treatments you can receive.

It also reduces overhead costs, allowing us to keep fees reasonable while providing longer appointment times and more personalized attention than insurance-based practices.

Scheduling is easy! Call our office at (303) 351-0744 to speak directly with our friendly staff. We offer same-day appointments for urgent conditions and priority scheduling for auto accident victims.

New patients receive a free 30-minute consultation to determine if chiropractic care is right for their condition before committing to treatment.

Your first visit includes a comprehensive consultation where Dr. Allen reviews your health history, discusses your symptoms and goals, and performs a thorough physical examination including orthopedic and neurological tests.

If appropriate, you may receive treatment during your first visit. Dr. Allen will explain his findings, discuss treatment options, and answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Initial consultations take about 45-60 minutes to ensure a thorough evaluation. Follow-up treatment visits typically last 15-30 minutes, depending on the treatments provided.

Unlike insurance-based practices that rush patients through, our cash model allows adequate time for proper treatment and patient education.

Yes! We understand that pain doesn't wait for convenient scheduling. We reserve same-day appointments for urgent conditions and auto accident victims who need immediate care.

Call first thing in the morning for the best chance of same-day availability, or let us know if you're willing to come in during cancellation slots.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows for easy movement and access to the areas being treated. Athletic wear or casual clothes work perfectly. Avoid dresses or restrictive clothing.

You don't need to change into a gown—Dr. Allen can work effectively with you fully clothed, maintaining your comfort and dignity throughout treatment.

Yes, Lakeside Spine & Injury Center is conveniently located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, serving patients throughout the Denver metro area including Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, and surrounding communities.

Our location offers easy access with ample parking and is designed to provide a comfortable, healing environment for all our patients.