Chiropractic FAQ: Your Questions, Answered
These are the questions new patients ask most before their first visit at Legg Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Surprise, AZ: cost, insurance, Medicare, safety, and what care is like. If your question is not here, call (623) 214-7600 and ask a real person. Individual results vary.
How much does a chiropractor cost without insurance?
At our office, new self pay patients start with the $49 first visit, which includes the consultation, exam, digital X-rays if needed, and your first treatment. After that, fees are explained clearly before any care begins, so there are no surprises. The $49 first visit does not apply to Medicare, auto accident or personal injury cases, or workers' compensation.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We accept Medicare and many major insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, so we verify your benefits before your first visit and explain expected costs before care begins. The plans we take are on our insurance page.
Do you accept Medicare?
Yes. Medicare covers medically necessary chiropractic spinal adjustments, and we bill Medicare directly. Medicare does not cover acupuncture or dry needling performed by a chiropractor; those services are self pay and quoted in writing first. More detail is on our Medicare page.
Do I need a referral?
No. In Arizona you can see a chiropractor without a referral from another doctor.
How long are appointments?
Plan on 40 to 60 minutes for your first visit. Follow up visits usually take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the services in your treatment plan. More detail is on our first visit page.
Is a chiropractic adjustment safe?
Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a safe, conservative approach for many back, neck, and joint conditions. Every chiropractic adjustment at our office follows a full exam and history, and Dr. Legg only recommends care that is appropriate for your findings.
Why does my back pop during an adjustment?
That sound is gas releasing from the fluid inside the joint as it moves, similar to opening a soda can. It is not bones cracking, and an adjustment works whether or not you hear a pop.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Most adjustments are comfortable and many patients feel relief right away. If an area is inflamed you may feel brief soreness afterward, similar to how muscles feel after exercise.
Once I start chiropractic care, do I have to keep going forever?
No. You and Dr. Legg set a goal, you follow the treatment plan, and you decide what happens after that. No contracts, no pressure, and no surprise commitments.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Dr. Legg uses gentle techniques adapted for pregnant moms to help with back pain, hip pain, and sciatica during pregnancy.
Can children see a chiropractor?
Yes. Care is always adapted to the patient, and children receive much lighter techniques than adults. See our pages on kids and pediatrics, or ask us about care for your family at your visit.
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes, sciatica is one of the most common reasons patients come to our office. The exam and X-rays find what is pressing on the nerve, and your treatment plan targets that cause.
Can a chiropractor help with headaches and migraines?
Many headaches start in the neck, and those respond well to chiropractic care. Dr. Legg examines your neck, posture, and history to find the trigger.
Should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
Yes, and soon, even if you feel fine at first. Whiplash symptoms often show up days or weeks later. We document your injuries and coordinate care for auto accident cases. The $49 first visit does not apply to auto accident or personal injury cases.
Can I get adjusted after back surgery?
Often yes, but it depends on the surgery and how you have healed. Dr. Legg reviews your history and imaging first, and only recommends techniques that are appropriate for your spine.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Both use very thin needles. Acupuncture works with the nervous system at specific points to reduce pain and promote healing. Dry needling targets tight muscle bands and trigger points to release tension. Many treatment plans use each where it works best.
Can a chiropractor prescribe medication?
No. Chiropractic care is drug-free by design. When a condition needs medication or a medical specialist, Dr. Legg refers you to the right provider and coordinates care.
How quickly will I feel better?
Many patients feel a difference within the first few visits, and your response is measured at every step. How fast you improve depends on your condition, how long you have had it, and how closely you follow your treatment plan. Individual results vary.
What training does a chiropractor have?
Chiropractors complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, national board exams, and state licensing. Dr. Derek M. Legg, D.C., M.P.H. also holds a Master of Public Health degree.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Comfortable clothing you can move in. No gowns and no changing needed for most visits.
Who you will see
Dr. Derek M. Legg, D.C., M.P.H. earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Logan University and a Master of Public Health, and he is Certified in Acupuncture by the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners. You see the same doctor at every visit, so nothing gets handed off between providers. Every option we offer is on our services page, and the full list of what we see is on our conditions we treat page.
Serving Surprise and the West Valley
We are on West Bell Road in Surprise, inside Sheitelman Physical Medicine, minutes from Sun City West, Sun City, El Mirage, Peoria, and Litchfield Park. Read more about our chiropractor in Surprise, AZ. We see patients Monday through Thursday.
Legg Chiropractic and Acupuncture, 13757 W Bell Rd #101, Surprise, AZ 85374. Call (623) 214-7600.