Traditional chiropractic care often centers on spinal adjustments to reduce pain, and that approach works well for a lot of people. At Functional Rehab, adjustments are one part of a broader picture. My focus is on identifying what may be contributing to your pain and building a plan that helps you make progress beyond the treatment table. That usually means looking at how you move, where there may be weakness or restriction, and what is needed to help you feel better and stay that way.

That's something I hear often, and it's a fair question. A lot of chiropractic care is built around passive treatment, which can provide relief but doesn't always address what's keeping the problem going. At Functional Rehab, I combine hands-on care with progressive rehab and movement work. It's a more active approach, and for patients who haven't gotten lasting results from adjustments alone, that shift often makes a real difference.

There's genuine overlap between rehab-focused chiropractic and physical therapy, and I think that's worth acknowledging. Where Functional Rehab differs is in combining chiropractic assessment, hands-on care, movement analysis, and progressive rehabilitation with one-on-one continuity throughout your care. You're not working with a rotating team or split between a provider and an aide. I'm involved in every part of your treatment, every visit.

I'm not going to push you into anything you don't want to do. If pain relief is your main goal right now, we can start there. That said, I'll be honest with you: for most musculoskeletal problems, passive care alone tends to provide temporary relief without changing the underlying picture. I'll always explain the reasoning, and you make the call. A lot of patients who were initially skeptical about adding an active component come around once they see how it affects how they feel.

No. Adjustments are never mandatory. There are several ways to work with joints and soft tissue that don't involve the type of cracking people are sometimes nervous about, including gentle mobilization, soft tissue work, and targeted exercise. If you're unsure or uncomfortable, just say so at your first visit. Nothing happens without your understanding and agreement.

No. Generic exercise handouts are one of the most common frustrations I hear from patients who have gone through care elsewhere. Every program I build is based on what I find in your exam, what your goals are, and what's realistic for your schedule. Exercises are delivered through TrueCoach, a digital platform with video demonstrations, so you can access them anytime and actually know what you're doing.

Chiropractic care has a well-established safety profile for musculoskeletal conditions. Your first visit at Functional Rehab includes a detailed history and physical assessment, which helps me determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate for you and how to approach it. If something in your history or exam suggests a different path, I'll tell you and refer you accordingly.

That depends on the nature of the problem, how long it has been going on, and how your body responds. After your first visit, I'll give you a realistic estimate rather than an open-ended plan. Acute issues often show meaningful progress in four to six visits. Longer-standing or more complex problems usually take more time and consistency. Either way, you'll always know where things stand and why.

There's no honest one-size answer here. Some patients notice a real difference after the first visit. Others take a few sessions to turn the corner. As a general rule, the longer something has been building, the more time it takes to resolve. What I can say is that if you're not making progress within the first two to three weeks, I reassess rather than continuing the same approach. Progress should be trackable.

Your first visit is a thorough assessment, typically 45 to 60 minutes. We'll go through your history in detail, I'll do a physical exam that looks at how you move and not just where it hurts, and I'll explain what I find in plain language. In many cases, we can begin treatment that same day. The goal of the first visit is to give you clarity about what's going on and what a realistic plan looks like. You don't need to commit to anything beyond that appointment.

No. My goal is to help you get better and give you the tools to stay that way. Most patients move to an independent home program and occasional check-ins once they've made the progress they came in for. Some people choose to come in periodically for maintenance, but that's always a personal choice, not a requirement.

No referral is needed. You can book directly. If your insurance plan requires a referral for reimbursement purposes, I can help you navigate that, but it doesn't affect your ability to schedule.

Functional Rehab is an out-of-network provider. That means I'm not directly billed through your insurance, but depending on your plan, you may still be able to receive reimbursement for a portion of your care. If you'd like me to verify your benefits before your first appointment, you can send over a copy of your insurance card and I'll look into what your plan may cover. HSA and FSA funds can typically be used for chiropractic and rehabilitation services, and some patients also choose to submit their receipts to insurance directly for possible reimbursement.

Yes, and that's a completely reasonable way to start. The first visit is designed to give you clarity: a thorough assessment, an honest explanation of what I find, and a discussion of your options. You don't need to commit to a full program before being evaluated. If you're not sure where to start, an initial evaluation is a low-pressure way to get answers.

Yes. At Functional Rehab, you work directly with me, Dr. Jason Fidler, every time you come in. There are no hand-offs to assistants or support staff for your treatment. That continuity matters: I know what happened last session, how you're responding, and what needs to change. It's a one-on-one practice, and that's intentional.

Possibly, yes. A herniated disc on an MRI does not automatically mean surgery is required or that conservative care won't help. What matters more than the imaging label alone is your symptoms, your exam findings, and how things respond over time. I'll do a thorough assessment to determine whether rehab chiropractic is appropriate for your situation. If it isn't, I'll tell you and point you toward the right provider.

Yes. A lot of the patients I see are active people: runners, lifters, cyclists, pickleball players, golfers, tennis players, and plenty of weekend warriors who pushed a little too hard. The approach is the same as with any other patient: identify what may be contributing to the problem, build a plan that gets you back to doing what you want to do, and make sure the recovery is durable so you're not dealing with the same injury again a few months later.

Chronic pain often requires a more complete approach than short-term pain relief, and it usually takes more time and consistency to make meaningful progress. I'll be straightforward with you about what the process looks like and what's realistic for your situation. Patients with long-standing pain often find that a structured, active approach helps when passive care alone hasn't moved things forward, but I don't make promises about outcomes before I've had a chance to properly assess you.

The most common things I see include low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, disc-related symptoms, shoulder problems, hip and knee pain, headaches, and overuse or sports injuries. Many patients also come in for help with postural issues related to prolonged sitting or desk work. If you're not sure whether your situation is a good fit, reach out and I'll give you an honest answer.

Often yes, but timing matters. I work with post-surgical patients and coordinate closely with surgical teams when appropriate. I'll need to know the details of your procedure and where you are in the recovery process before starting any hands-on treatment. When there's uncertainty, I prefer to get clearance from your surgeon first. If you're not yet cleared for care, I can still help you understand what the next steps might look like.