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Your first visit, step by step
What happens from the moment you walk in, what to bring, and answers to the questions new patients ask most.
1. Paperwork and history
A short intake form, then a conversation: where it hurts, when it started, what you have tried, what you need to get back to.
2. Examination
Posture, range of motion, hands-on assessment of each joint, orthopedic and neurological tests. Imaging only if the findings call for it.
3. Findings and plan
Dr. Malkis explains what he found in plain language, what he recommends, how many visits he expects, and what you do at home.
4. Treatment
In most cases, treatment starts the same day: adjustment, soft-tissue work, and the first one or two exercises.
Questions new patients ask
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No. In New York you can book directly. Some insurance plans require a referral for coverage, so check your plan or call the office with your details and we will verify before the visit.
How long is the first visit?
Plan on 45 minutes to an hour. It includes a history, a physical examination, treatment if it is appropriate on the first day, and a conversation about what was found and what comes next.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing you can move in. Gowns are available if needed. Avoid dresses and skirts; jeans are fine.
What should I bring?
Your insurance card and ID, any imaging reports or scans you already have, a list of medications, and, for accident cases, the claim number and date of injury.
Does the adjustment hurt?
Usually not. Most people feel pressure and a quick movement, often with a popping sound, followed by relief or lightness. Some soreness in the next day or two is common after the first visit, the way muscles feel after a new workout.
What is the popping sound?
Gas releasing from the fluid in the joint as it is quickly stretched, the same thing that happens when knuckles crack. It is not bone and it does not need to happen for the treatment to work.
Will I need X-rays?
Only if the examination calls for it, for example after trauma, with certain red flags, or when the history suggests something structural. Routine X-rays on every patient are not good practice.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on the problem, how long you have had it and how you respond. A simple acute episode might need two to six visits. Chronic problems take longer. You should see measurable change within the first few weeks, and every plan here has a review point and an end date.
Is chiropractic care safe?
For the lower back, serious complications are very rare. The main risks are temporary soreness and stiffness. Neck manipulation carries a very small risk discussed openly on our evidence page, and the office screens for it. Tell us about any history of stroke, blood thinners, osteoporosis, cancer or inflammatory arthritis.
Can I be treated during pregnancy?
Yes, with positions and techniques adapted for each trimester and no pressure on the abdomen. Many patients come in specifically for pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain.
Do you treat children?
The practice is a family practice. Care for children is gentle and focused on specific musculoskeletal complaints, such as a sports injury or posture. We do not treat children for non-musculoskeletal conditions.
Which insurance do you accept?
The practice is in network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and more than 200 other plans. It does not accept Medicare. Workers' compensation and no-fault auto claims are accepted. Call (212) 888-0999 to verify your plan.
Do you offer same-day appointments?
Often. Live availability is on Zocdoc and same-week openings are common. If you are in acute pain, call the office directly.
Where is the office and how do I get there?
7 West 45th Street, 3rd Floor, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It is a short walk from Grand Central, Bryant Park and Times Square, and the B, D, F, M, 7, 4, 5, 6 and S trains.