Frequently asked questions

No referral is needed. Chiropractic care is a portal-of-entry profession — you can schedule directly, online or by phone, without a physician referral. Some insurance plans may require one for coverage purposes, which we can help you navigate.

In most cases, no — and that's intentional. The first visit is dedicated to a thorough assessment and understanding your situation fully. We don't want to start treatment before we have a complete picture of what's going on. Some straightforward cases may begin care on the first visit if there's enough information, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Plan for approximately 60–90 minutes for your first visit. That covers your health history, a full consultation, neurological and orthopedic exam, postural and structural analysis, and X-rays when clinically appropriate.

Bring your insurance card and a valid photo ID, any recent imaging (X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans — even older ones can be useful), a list of current medications and supplements, comfortable clothing you can move in, and any prior medical records relevant to your condition.

Yes — when performed by a trained, licensed chiropractor, chiropractic care is one of the safest forms of treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. Serious adverse events are extremely rare. Our doctors will always review your health history and exam findings before any treatment to ensure it's appropriate for your specific situation.

This is one of the most common things we hear. Chiropractic care varies enormously in approach and quality. Many patients who've had unsatisfying experiences elsewhere had care that was symptom-focused rather than root-cause focused — adjustments without a structural diagnosis or a corrective plan. Our approach is specifically designed for patients who've tried other options and not gotten lasting results.

Yes to both, though we evaluate each case individually. Pediatric chiropractic uses different, gentler techniques than adult care. For elderly patients, we adjust our approach based on bone density, health history, and specific concerns. In both cases, your doctor will review your situation before determining whether chiropractic is appropriate.

Often yes, though it depends on the type of surgery, when it was performed, and your current condition. Chiropractic care can sometimes be very helpful after surgery — helping with adjacent segment issues, scar tissue, and functional recovery. We review post-surgical cases carefully and will let you know candidly whether we're a good fit.

Call us. Dr. Luke or a member of our team will speak with you directly about your situation — at no charge — and tell you honestly whether we think we can help. We'd rather have that conversation upfront than have you come in for a visit that isn't right for your case.

We're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Medicare. Call us and we'll run a complimentary benefit check before you book so there are no surprises on day one.

We offer transparent self-pay rates. Ask about our Good Faith Estimate — it's your right to know the cost of care before you commit to anything.

This depends entirely on your diagnosis and goals. A recent acute injury might resolve in 6–8 weeks. A chronic structural problem with years of progression may require 3–6 months for meaningful correction. Your doctor will present a specific timeline at your Report of Findings. We don't keep patients in care longer than clinically necessary — and we're upfront about what the realistic endpoint looks like.

Same-week appointments are usually available. Call (312) 987-4878 and we'll do our best to fit you in around your schedule.

Yes. Most downtown patients are in and out in under an hour. Booked appointments run on time, and the Roosevelt L stations put you back at your desk on the next train.

Standard chiropractic adjustments focus on restoring joint motion and reducing pain — which they do well. CBP adds a layer of precision and structural intent that most chiropractic approaches don't include. Using X-ray measurements, CBP identifies the specific geometry of your spinal misalignment and applies corrections designed to reshape the spine over time. The mirror-image traction component is unique to CBP and is what produces lasting structural change rather than temporary relief.

No. Decompression sessions should be comfortable throughout. The traction force is applied gently and gradually — not abruptly — and the cyclic hold-and-release pattern is designed to work with your body rather than against it. Some patients feel mild muscle fatigue or slight soreness after their first few sessions, similar to starting a new exercise, but sharp pain during a session is not normal and would prompt an immediate protocol adjustment. The vast majority of patients find sessions relaxing.

Most patients with disc-related injuries are candidates for decompression therapy. The main contraindications include severe osteoporosis, vertebral fracture, spinal instability, spinal tumors, and pregnancy. Patients with certain types of spinal hardware from prior surgeries may also not be candidates, depending on the location and type of hardware. Your doctor will review your medical history, imaging, and physical examination findings during your new patient exam to determine whether decompression is appropriate.

Low-level or "cold" lasers operate at power levels measured in milliwatts and can only penetrate a few millimeters into skin. They may have some surface benefit, but they cannot reach deeper muscles, tendons, joints, or nerves. Red Light is a Class IV therapeutic laser operating at power levels measured in watts — many times more powerful — and can penetrate 10 to 15 centimeters into tissue. This depth of penetration is what makes it effective for genuine musculoskeletal injuries rather than just surface-level discomfort.

Shockwave therapy uses rapid acoustic pressure waves, delivered through a handheld applicator, to stimulate your body's natural healing response in slow-healing tissue like tendons. It's designed to help increase local blood flow and ease inflammation, without needles, anesthesia, or downtime. Most patients feel a rapid tapping sensation, and sessions take about 10 to 15 minutes. Your doctor will determine whether it's appropriate for your condition during your exam.

Most patients feel a brief pinch when the needle enters the skin, followed by a moment of pressure or a muscle twitch as the trigger point is reached. The lidocaine provides immediate numbing, so any discomfort is short-lived — typically lasting only a few seconds. Some patients experience mild soreness at the injection site for 24 to 48 hours afterward, similar to the soreness you'd feel after a deep tissue massage.

We use a combination of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and saline (sterile salt water). Lidocaine provides immediate pain relief by numbing the area, while saline helps mechanically disperse the contracted muscle fibers and flush out the inflammatory chemicals that have accumulated at the trigger point. We do not use steroids or opioids in our trigger point injections. This approach is safe, well-tolerated, and effective for the vast majority of patients.

Your chiropractic and physical therapy care are coordinated from your very first visit. After your new patient exam, your doctor develops a care plan that specifies the role of each treatment modality and how they work together over the course of your plan. In many cases, patients have chiropractic and PT sessions on the same visit, with the adjustment first (to restore joint mobility) and PT exercises second (to train the muscles while the joints are moving freely). Progress in both areas is tracked together.

The program is designed for patients with knee osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain, or knee degeneration who want a comprehensive, non-surgical approach. The best way to determine if you're a candidate is to schedule a consultation — we'll review your history, examine your knee, and give you a clear recommendation. Not every patient needs the full program; some may benefit from individual components instead.

The program is designed for patients with rotator cuff injuries, chronic shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, or persistent shoulder pain that hasn't responded to conventional treatment. The best way to find out if you're a candidate is to schedule a consultation — we'll examine your shoulder, review any imaging, and give you a clear recommendation. Not every shoulder condition requires the full program; some may respond well to individual treatments.

Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory — it reduces swelling and pain temporarily, but it doesn't repair damaged tissue. In fact, repeated cortisone injections can weaken tendons over time. Our programs use treatments like PRP and shockwave therapy, which are designed to support the body's own tissue repair rather than just suppress symptoms. Many of our patients come to us specifically because cortisone provided only temporary relief or stopped working entirely.

Our clinic is at 1147 S Wabash Ave. #250B in Chicago's South Loop, between 11th Street and Roosevelt. We see patients from the South Loop, the Loop, Printers Row, Streeterville, River North, West Loop, Old Town, Chinatown, and Bronzeville — most of downtown Chicago is a short L ride or drive away.

The CTA Roosevelt station serves the Red, Green, and Orange lines and is a three-block walk from the clinic. The Metra Electric District stop at Museum Campus / 11th Street is four blocks east. From most downtown stops, the L ride is 10 to 25 minutes.

Yes. The 1147 S Wabash building has a parking garage. If you plan to drive, mention it when you book so the front desk can walk you through the validation process. Street parking is also available on Wabash and adjacent streets.