Frequently asked questions about chiropractic care

Chiropractic care is a licensed healthcare discipline that focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, primarily through hands-on spinal adjustments. At Integrative Motion, Dr. Drussel uses precise manual manipulation to restore proper alignment and joint function, which reduces nerve interference, decreases inflammation, and allows your body to heal naturally. Unlike medication that masks symptoms, chiropractic addresses the root cause of pain and dysfunction.

Yes. Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which requires approximately 4,200 hours of post-graduate education, comparable to medical school. Dr. Drussel holds both a Doctorate in Chiropractic and a Master of Science in Sports Rehabilitation from Logan College of Chiropractic, along with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from BYU Idaho. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states and must pass national board examinations.

Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal disorders through spinal adjustments and joint manipulation. Physical therapists focus primarily on rehabilitation through guided exercises and movement therapy. At Integrative Motion, Dr. Drussel bridges both. His Master's in Sports Rehabilitation means you get chiropractic adjustments combined with custom exercise programming, soft tissue work, and functional movement correction, all under one roof.

No. In Utah, you can see a chiropractor directly without a referral. Simply call Integrative Motion at (801) 396-1100 or book online. Some insurance plans may have specific referral requirements for coverage, so we recommend checking your plan details, but you are always welcome to schedule without one.

It depends on your condition and goals. For acute pain, Dr. Drussel may recommend 2-3 visits per week initially, tapering down as symptoms improve. Once you are feeling better, many patients transition to maintenance visits every 2-4 weeks. There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. Your treatment plan is always customized based on your progress and goals.

New patient consultations at Integrative Motion are available at no cost. Standard adjustment visits and follow-up appointments vary based on the services needed. We offer competitive self-pay rates and can discuss payment options during your free consultation. Contact our office at (801) 396-1100 for current pricing.

Yes, most major health insurance plans cover chiropractic care. Integrative Motion accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, SelectHealth, DMBA, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and most other major insurers in Utah. Coverage typically includes a set number of visits per year. We verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.

Medicare Part B covers chiropractic spinal manipulation when it is medically necessary to correct a subluxation. However, Medicare typically does not cover other services such as X-rays, massage, or acupuncture performed by a chiropractor. Our team can help you understand exactly what your Medicare plan covers.

Yes. Utah workers' compensation covers chiropractic care for work-related injuries. The initial authorization typically covers eight visits, after which additional visits require approval from the insurance carrier. Dr. Drussel handles the documentation and communication with your employer's workers' comp carrier.

Yes. Research shows that chiropractic spinal manipulation is effective for tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches (headaches originating from the neck). Many migraine sufferers also experience significant relief. Dr. Drussel evaluates neck alignment, muscle tension, and posture to identify headache triggers and develops a targeted treatment plan.

Absolutely. Sciatica (pain that radiates from the lower back down through the leg) is one of the most common conditions treated at Integrative Motion. Chiropractic adjustments reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve by realigning the spine and pelvis, while soft tissue therapy and targeted exercises address the surrounding muscles. Most patients see meaningful improvement within 4-6 weeks.

Yes, chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and can be very beneficial. Dr. Drussel uses modified techniques and specialized positioning to accommodate your changing body. Benefits include relief from lower back and pelvic pain, improved pelvic alignment for optimal fetal positioning, and potentially easier labor and delivery.

Yes. Pediatric chiropractic care is gentle and safe when performed by a trained provider. Adjustments for children use significantly less force than adult adjustments, often just light fingertip pressure. Children may benefit from chiropractic care for postural issues, growing pains, sports injuries, and general spinal health.

Dr. Drussel treats back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, herniated discs, whiplash, sports injuries, shoulder pain, knee pain, chronic pain, postural issues, and car accident injuries. Beyond adjustments, we offer sports rehabilitation, acupuncture, soft tissue therapy, kinesiology taping, custom exercise programs, and functional medicine with bloodwork.

Functional medicine is root cause medicine. Instead of prescribing a drug to mask a symptom, Dr. Drussel investigates why that symptom exists in the first place. Through detailed health histories, targeted lab testing, and personalized protocols (diet, lifestyle, supplementation), functional medicine finds and addresses the underlying dysfunction driving your condition. It's often called foundational medicine or supportive medicine.

Your primary care doctor works under an insurance model that typically limits visits to 15 minutes and dictates which labs get covered. For example, insurance usually covers 2 thyroid markers, but there are 9 that could explain why you still feel terrible. Functional medicine uses longer visits (60-90 minutes), broader lab panels with tighter "optimal" ranges, and personalized treatment protocols. Dr. Drussel looks at patterns across your whole body rather than treating each symptom in isolation.

An initial functional medicine consultation at Integrative Motion is $250 for a comprehensive 60-90 minute visit. Follow-up visits are $150. Many standard lab panels (CBC, thyroid, metabolic) are covered by insurance when ordered by a licensed provider. Specialty panels like food sensitivity testing may have out-of-pocket costs. Dr. Drussel explains all costs before ordering anything.

The most common conditions Dr. Drussel treats with functional medicine include gut issues (IBS, SIBO, acid reflux, bloating, food sensitivities), thyroid dysfunction (including Hashimoto's), chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic headaches, and metabolic issues like insulin resistance and unexplained weight gain. If you've been told your labs are "normal" but you still feel terrible, functional medicine often finds what standard testing misses.

No. Dr. Drussel takes a collaborative approach. He works alongside your prescribing doctors, not against them. He can't prescribe or manage medications (that's outside his scope as a DC), but he can address the dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle factors that your MD may not have time to investigate. The best outcomes come from providers working together.

Dr. Drussel is upfront about this: it's a marathon, not a sprint. Your body needs time to repair and rebalance. Many patients notice initial improvements within 4-8 weeks, but a full protocol typically takes 3-6 months. Follow-up visits every 4-8 weeks allow Dr. Drussel to monitor progress, adjust the plan, and make sure you're moving in the right direction.

Absolutely, and that's one of the advantages of seeing Dr. Drussel. Many patients come in for chiropractic care and discover that an underlying issue (like anemia, magnesium deficiency, or chronic inflammation) is preventing their body from healing properly. Treating both the structural problem and the systemic root cause produces better results than addressing either one alone.

The consultation itself is a cash-pay service ($250 initial, $150 follow-up). However, many lab panels Dr. Drussel orders are standard tests that insurance covers when ordered by a licensed provider. Specialty panels (comprehensive food sensitivity, DUTCH hormone test) may have out-of-pocket costs. Dr. Drussel is selective about testing and won't order expensive labs if diet and lifestyle changes can be tried first without a test that won't change the approach.