1120 Centre Turnpike
Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Phone: (570)-366-2613
Fax: (570)-366-2618

General Guidelines for Referrals to Chiropractic Care

Although patients do not require a prescription to see a chiropractor in most cases, a written referral will ensure that we know you have sent the patient. If we receive a written referral, we will make sure to send you a brief summary of our findings, working diagnosis, and expected treatment plan.

A typical prescription for an initial trial of chiropractic care should include the primary diagnosis, request for evaluation, and a request for treatment for four to six weeks, or 8-12 visits. You may also list secondary conditions that may need monitoring.

If we determine that a referral to a specialist or an order for diagnostic imaging is warranted, we will return the patient to you for further coordination of care. Let us know if you would like us to handle this differently, as we are able to refer to specialists and order imaging directly.

Types of cases that are good candidates for chiropractic care:

• acute sprain/strain injuries (spine and extremity) that do not respond to two weeks of medical management (rest, ice, medications, etc.).
• chronic tension or other types of headaches that are non-responsive to medical interventions, or for those patients wishing to be less dependant on medications
• local low back pain or low back pain with referral into the posterior thigh, not below the knee (generally more resistant to conservative care)
• Chronic pain of musculoskeletal origin, postural syndromes, upper back pain, achy pain in the neck and upper trap region, lumbar facet syndrome
• Pain in the forearm, wrist, and hand that may or may not be consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome
• Adhesive Capsulitis (excluding post surgical) and rotator cuff injuries (excluding tears)

In regards to the above cases, physical therapy is also a valid option. However, if a patient needs more individual and personal attention, a referral for chiropractic care may be the better option. I do not use assistants or aids for patient care (other than a massage therapist). Most of my care is hands on and one on one with the patient. This allows me to constantly monitor the condition and adapt the treatment plan based on the patient's response to care. This is beneficial for patients with more serious conditions such as intervertebral disc syndromes and moderate to severe acute pain. A chiropractic referral is also warranted in cases where nothing else has worked and the condition is not a surgical case. Also, keep in mind that the conditions above can be and are often co-treated with standard medical care.


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