Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients report that chiropractic adjustments feel great — a sense of pressure release followed by relief. The “popping” sound you sometimes hear is simply gas bubbles releasing from the joint fluid, not anything breaking or cracking.

Some patients experience mild soreness for 24-48 hours after their first few adjustments, similar to how muscles feel after a good workout. This is normal and typically resolves quickly. We adjust our technique based on your comfort level and can use very gentle, instrument-assisted methods if needed.

A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the spine, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal adjustments and other non-invasive techniques to restore proper alignment, reduce pain, and improve overall body function. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and is certified in Chiropractic Biophysics, a research-based approach to spinal correction. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, surgery-free option for people dealing with back pain, neck pain, headaches, posture problems, and many other conditions.

Yes, chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest non-invasive treatments available for back pain, neck pain, and joint issues. Chiropractors undergo extensive training — Dr. Winger completed a rigorous doctoral program at Life University and has decades of clinical experience. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, every patient receives a thorough examination including X-rays when indicated before any adjustments are performed. This testing-first approach ensures your care plan is based on objective findings and tailored to your specific condition. Serious complications from chiropractic adjustments are extremely rare, and most patients experience immediate relief and improved mobility.

At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, we strive to make quality chiropractic care affordable. Our new patient special is just $59, which includes a consultation, examination, and X-rays if needed. Regular self-pay visits are $45 per visit. We also accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, Premera, Regence, United Healthcare, Medicare, and L&I. Our team will verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises. If you have questions about cost or coverage, call us at (425) 276-8044 and we will be happy to help you understand your options.

Your first visit to Lakeside Spine and Wellness typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes. You will start with a one-on-one consultation where Dr. Winger listens to your health history, symptoms, and goals. Next comes a comprehensive examination that may include posture analysis, range of motion tests, neurological assessments, and digital X-rays. Dr. Winger uses a testing-first approach, meaning your care plan is built on objective findings rather than guesswork. At your second visit, he will review your results in detail, explain what he found, and recommend a personalized treatment plan. Request your appointment to get started.

A typical chiropractic adjustment at Lakeside Spine and Wellness takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your treatment plan. Patients receiving corrective care may spend additional time on rehabilitative exercises and spinal traction as part of their visit. Follow-up visits are generally quicker than your initial examination. Dr. Winger designs each session to be thorough yet efficient, so you can get back to your day feeling better. If you are on a corrective care plan, your visit may include a combination of adjustments, therapy, and exercises tailored to your progress.

Chiropractic care has an excellent safety record. It is one of the safest non-drug, non-surgical therapies available for musculoskeletal conditions.

The risk of serious complications from cervical (neck) manipulation is extremely low — estimated at approximately 1 in 5.85 million manipulations in a large systematic review. For context, the risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects from over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) is significantly higher.

We perform a thorough health history and physical examination before beginning care to identify any contraindications. Chiropractic is contraindicated in cases of severe osteoporosis, certain spinal tumors, unstable fractures, and a few other conditions — which is why the evaluation is so important.

All of our doctors are licensed by the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and maintain current certifications in CPR/AED and safety protocols.

Absolutely. Pediatric chiropractic care is safe, gentle, and often highly beneficial. Children’s spines go through significant stress — from the birth process itself through playground tumbles, heavy backpacks, sports injuries, and hours of screen time.

For infants and young children, adjustments use no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a peach — very gentle, very different from adult adjustments.

Common conditions we treat in children:

• Colic and reflux in infants (often linked to birth-related upper cervical tension)
• Ear infections — recurring infections can be related to poor lymphatic drainage
• Growing pains
• Sports injuries
• Scoliosis — early detection and monitoring
• Poor posture from device use (Tech Neck in kids)
• Headaches

We recommend that all children receive a spinal check-up, especially after significant physical milestones (learning to walk, first sports season, etc.). Dr. Santos has additional training in pediatric chiropractic techniques.

Chiropractic Biophysics, or CBP, is the most researched and published chiropractic technique in the world. It goes beyond traditional chiropractic care by using objective measurements — including digital X-rays and posture analysis — to identify misalignments in the spine and develop a precise correction plan. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger is CBP-certified and uses this approach to not only relieve pain but to restore the spine toward its optimal structure. CBP care typically includes spinal adjustments, mirror-image exercises, and spinal traction to produce lasting structural changes. Learn more on our Chiropractic Biophysics page.

Yes, Lakeside Spine and Wellness accepts most major insurance plans. We are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Premera, Regence, United Healthcare, and Medicare. We also accept Labor and Industries (L&I) claims and personal injury cases with attorney liens. Our team will verify your insurance benefits before your first visit so you know exactly what your coverage looks like. For patients without insurance, we offer affordable self-pay rates starting at $45 per visit. Call us at (425) 276-8044 to confirm your plan is accepted.

No — this is a common myth. You are always in control of your care.

We have two types of patients:

1. Goal-focused patients who come in, complete their care plan, achieve their health goals, and discharge. No pressure to continue beyond what’s needed. Many return if a new issue arises.

2. Wellness care patients who choose to continue with monthly or quarterly maintenance visits after their acute care is complete. They’ve experienced how much better they feel with regular chiropractic care and choose to make it part of their health routine — similar to getting regular dental cleanings, exercise, or massage.

Research shows that patients who continue with periodic wellness care have fewer recurrences, less overall disability, and better long-term outcomes. But it’s always a choice, never an obligation.

We’ll be transparent about what you need, give you a clear endpoint, and respect whatever you decide.

Traditional chiropractic care focuses on relieving symptoms like pain and stiffness through spinal adjustments. It is effective for short-term relief and maintenance. Corrective chiropractic care, which is the specialty at Lakeside Spine and Wellness, goes further by addressing the underlying structural problems in the spine that cause those symptoms. Using Chiropractic Biophysics protocols, Dr. Winger takes X-rays and posture measurements to identify misalignments, then creates a correction plan that includes adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, and spinal traction. The goal is lasting structural improvement, not just temporary relief. Visit our Chiropractic Biophysics page to learn more about this approach.

We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and neuromusculoskeletal conditions, including:

Spinal Conditions:

• Low back pain and lumbar disc herniations
• Neck pain and cervical disc problems
• Sciatica and radiculopathy (arm/leg pain from nerve compression)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Scoliosis (monitoring and conservative management)
• Spondylolisthesis

Headaches:

• Tension headaches
• Cervicogenic headaches (coming from the neck)
• Migraines (adjunctive care)

Extremity Conditions:

• Shoulder pain (rotator cuff issues, impingement)
• Hip and knee pain
• Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis/Golfer’s elbow

Other Conditions:

• Whiplash (auto accident injuries)
• Sports injuries
• Work-related injuries
• Postural problems and tech neck
• Pregnancy-related back pain

If you have a condition not listed here, call us and we’ll let you know honestly whether chiropractic care can help — or refer you to the appropriate provider.

Absolutely. Chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments for auto accident injuries including whiplash, neck pain, back pain, and soft tissue damage. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger has extensive experience treating personal injury patients and works with insurance companies, attorneys, and L&I to ensure you get the care you need. It is important to get evaluated as soon as possible after an accident, even if you feel fine, because many injuries do not produce symptoms until days or weeks later. Early treatment can prevent chronic problems from developing. Learn more about our chiropractic adjustments and neck pain treatment pages.

Great question — they’re often confused, but there are important differences.

Traditional traction applies a constant pulling force to the spine. The problem is that this triggers muscle guarding: your muscles sense the sustained pull and contract to protect the spine, limiting the therapeutic effect and sometimes causing discomfort.

Computerized spinal decompression uses a precisely controlled, logarithmic tension/relaxation cycle. The table alternates between distraction and rest phases in a pattern that prevents the stretch reflex from activating. This allows for:

• Greater intradiscal pressure reduction — up to -150 mmHg of negative pressure
• Better disc fluid exchange — drawing in nutrients and oxygen
• Disc material retraction — encouraging herniated material to move back toward center
• Muscle relaxation — no protective guarding response

Our decompression table (DRX9000) is FDA-cleared and represents the current gold standard in non-surgical disc treatment. It’s computer-controlled, constantly monitoring resistance and adjusting the tension to optimize your treatment.

If you’ve tried traction in the past without good results, spinal decompression may produce very different — and much better — outcomes.

Yes, chiropractic care is safe and gentle for children of all ages. Pediatric adjustments use much less force than adult adjustments and are tailored to the child’s size and developmental stage. Children can benefit from chiropractic care for issues like poor posture, growing pains, sports injuries, and general spinal health. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger has experience working with pediatric patients and takes a careful, testing-first approach to ensure each child’s care is appropriate and effective. Many parents bring their children in for wellness checkups to support healthy development as they grow.

Yes — we believe in collaborative, integrative care. Your health is best served when all your providers are working as a team.

We regularly:

• Co-manage patients with orthopedists, neurologists, and pain management specialists
• Communicate with your PCP via records and letters when clinically appropriate
• Work alongside physical therapists for complex rehabilitation cases
• Coordinate with your OB/GYN for prenatal patients
• Interface with VA providers for veterans receiving VA Community Care benefits

We’re happy to send treatment notes to any of your other providers, and we welcome referrals from physicians. If we determine that your condition requires a different type of specialist, we will tell you — and refer you to the right person. Getting you better is the goal, not keeping you as a patient.

To coordinate care, bring a list of your current providers and any relevant medical records to your first appointment.

The number of visits depends on your specific condition, how long you have had it, and your health goals. Some patients find relief in just a few visits, while those with structural issues or chronic conditions may benefit from a longer corrective care plan. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger will give you an honest assessment after your initial examination and lay out a clear treatment plan with expected milestones. Progress is tracked with periodic re-examinations and follow-up X-rays so you can see measurable improvement. Your care plan is always based on objective findings, not guesswork.

Most patients find chiropractic adjustments comfortable and even relieving. You may hear a popping sound during an adjustment, which is simply gas being released from the joint — similar to cracking your knuckles. Some patients experience mild soreness after their first few visits, similar to what you might feel after starting a new exercise routine. This is normal and typically resolves within 24 hours. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, Dr. Winger uses a variety of techniques and will always adjust his approach based on your comfort level. If you are nervous about your first visit, our team will walk you through everything before we begin.