Straight answers to what people actually ask before booking — cost, insurance, referrals, first visits and how to tell a good clinic from a mediocre one.
Last reviewed September 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Dillon Hammes, DC
Cost depends on whether you are having an initial evaluation or a follow-up visit, whether imaging is taken, and how your insurance plan handles chiropractic care. Total Health Chiropractic can confirm current fees and what your plan covers before you book — call (319) 338-7025 to ask.
Look for a clinic that examines you before treating you, explains what it found in plain language, offers more than one type of care, tracks whether you are actually improving, and refers out when something falls outside chiropractic scope. Location and scheduling that fit your week matter too.
Chiropractors commonly evaluate back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, disc-related problems, joint pain in the shoulders, hips and knees, sports injuries, and pain following car accidents. Part of the evaluation is deciding whether chiropractic care is appropriate or whether you should be referred elsewhere.
It may help many people whose sciatic symptoms come from a mechanical source in the lower spine. Care aims to reduce nerve irritation and restore movement rather than cure the condition. Cases with progressive weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control need immediate medical evaluation.
Spinal decompression is a form of controlled, computer-assisted traction that gently separates spinal segments to reduce pressure on discs and nearby nerves. It is used for selected disc-related presentations and is not appropriate for every patient or every type of back pain.
Many do, including Total Health Chiropractic. X-rays are used when your history or examination suggests the images would change the plan — for example after trauma, or when degenerative change or alignment needs to be assessed. They are not needed for every patient.
Total Health Chiropractic is at 2201 E. Grantview Dr. #202 in Coralville, directly adjacent to Iowa City along the I-80 and Highway 6 corridor. For most Iowa City addresses it is a short drive of roughly 10 to 15 minutes, depending on where you start and traffic.
In Iowa, chiropractors are direct-access providers, so most people can schedule without a physician referral. Some insurance plans still require a referral or prior authorization for coverage, so it is worth checking your specific plan.
Expect a conversation about your history and goals, then a physical examination that may include movement, orthopedic and neurological testing. Imaging is taken if indicated. You should leave understanding what was found, what the options are, and what the plan is.
Many pregnant patients receive chiropractic care for back and pelvic discomfort, using gentler techniques and pregnancy-specific positioning. Discuss it with your OB provider or midwife first, especially if there are any complicating factors in your pregnancy.
Yes. Athletes commonly use chiropractic care for joint and soft tissue complaints, usually combined with rehabilitation and strength work and coordinated with their coaching or training staff.
Chiropractors place more emphasis on hands-on joint assessment and adjustments; physical therapists place more emphasis on graded exercise and functional retraining. The approaches overlap a great deal, many clinics use both, and the two are often complementary rather than competing.
Call the clinic and ask before you book. Total Health Chiropractic is in Coralville, minutes from Iowa City.