From Exam to Adjustment
Diagnostic & Treatment Procedures
A transparent look at exactly what happens during your visits at Coombs Family Chiropractic — from first consultation through ongoing care.
A transparent look at exactly what happens during your visits at Coombs Family Chiropractic — from first consultation through ongoing care.
Our diagnostic procedures begin with a thorough consultation to understand your health history, chief complaint, and health goals. Dr. Coombs takes the time to truly listen — asking about the nature, onset, and patterns of your symptoms, your lifestyle, previous treatments, and what you hope to achieve through chiropractic care.
This foundation of understanding shapes everything that follows. No two patients are identical, and no two treatment plans should be either. Your consultation sets the stage for a precise, personalized approach — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
After the health history discussion, Dr. Coombs will perform a hands-on physical examination using the Gonstead five-criteria protocol, and — when clinically indicated — will take full-spine X-rays for a complete structural analysis.
Allow 45–60 minutes for your first visit
Before any treatment begins, Dr. Coombs performs a comprehensive examination using multiple assessment tools — ensuring every adjustment is guided by solid clinical data, not guesswork.
A comprehensive physical exam evaluates your posture, gait, range of motion, and neurological reflexes. Dr. Coombs systematically assesses each region of your spine and extremities to identify areas of dysfunction, tenderness, or restricted movement.
Full-body alignment analysis identifies compensatory patterns and structural imbalances. Postural distortions often reflect underlying spinal misalignments — and correcting them is a key component of lasting chiropractic results.
Measuring how far each spinal region can move in all directions reveals restrictions, compensations, and segments that are not moving properly. These functional findings guide treatment priorities and help track progress over time.
Reflex testing, sensation assessment, and muscle strength evaluation help identify nerve compression and the specific spinal levels involved. This ensures that chiropractic care addresses the neurological root of your symptoms, not just the surface pain.
When clinically indicated, full-spine X-rays are taken and analyzed using the precise Gonstead X-ray protocol. This reveals vertebral misalignment angles, disc spacing, and structural integrity — providing an objective foundation for specific spinal corrections.
As part of the Gonstead protocol, a nervoscope instrument detects temperature differentials along the spine — providing objective, measurable evidence of nerve irritation that guides both the diagnosis and the adjustment.
After diagnosis, Dr. Coombs creates a customized treatment plan based on your specific condition, health goals, and response to care. No two plans are the same.
"Each treatment plan is customized based on your specific condition, health goals, and response to care. We do not follow a script — we follow your spine, your health history, and your results."
— Dr. Bryan Coombs, D.C.
Higher visit frequency to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and stabilize the spine quickly following injury or onset of symptoms.
Ongoing adjustments to address the underlying structural cause of your problem — not just the symptoms. This phase rebuilds spinal stability.
Periodic visits once optimal function is achieved — keeping the spine aligned, preventing recurrence, and supporting long-term wellness.
Your first adjustment is just the beginning. Here is the typical path patients take through their care at Coombs Family Chiropractic.
Most new patients receive their first adjustment on day one — no waiting. Dr. Coombs completes your exam and proceeds with a targeted Gonstead correction.
Dr. Coombs recommends a visit schedule tailored to your condition — typically more frequent at the start, then tapering as your spine stabilizes and symptoms improve.
At regular intervals, Dr. Coombs reassesses your spine with the same rigorous criteria used at your initial exam — tracking measurable improvements and adjusting your plan accordingly.
Once you reach your health goals, periodic maintenance visits keep your spine healthy long-term — preventing the recurrence of subluxations and supporting overall wellness.
Coombs Family Chiropractic accepts most major insurance plans and CareCredit financing. Our team — led by Dawn Coombs — is happy to verify your coverage and explain your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Call us at (304) 943-0124 or email info@coombschiro.com to verify your insurance.
Walk-ins & Emergencies Welcome · 55 Don Knotts Blvd Suite 4, Morgantown WV