Frequently Asked Questions — South Des Moines Chiropractic Cente
Have a question before your first visit? You are in the right place. Browse our most common questions below — and call
Kim at (515) 244-1823 if you do not see what you are looking for.
We are at 3300 SW 9th St, Suite 3, Des Moines, IA 50315 — on the
Southside, near SW 9th and Park Avenue. Easy parking directly in front of the building.
Call us at (515) 244-1823. Kim will get you scheduled, usually
within a few days. She will verify your insurance before you come in so there are no surprises.
We accept most major plans including Medicare, Wellmark,
Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Call with your insurance card and Kim will verify your coverage the same
day.
Medicare Part B covers manual spinal adjustments for
medically necessary care — you pay 20% after your Part B deductible. Medicare does not cover the exam fee, x-rays,
acupuncture, ultrasound, or e-stim. Many Medicare Advantage plans have extra coverage — we will check yours.
We keep our self-pay rates reasonable. Please call
for current pricing. We always tell you the cost before any treatment — no surprises.
Yes. It is one of the safest drug-free treatments for musculoskeletal
pain. Mild soreness for a day or two is the most common side effect. Dr. Sara has been practicing safely since 1994.
Yes. Chiropractic during pregnancy is safe for back
pain, hip pain, and sciatica. Dr. Sara uses gentle techniques and avoids electrical modalities during pregnancy. Always
tell us if you are or might be pregnant.
Yes. Children respond very well to chiropractic, especially with the gentle
Activator Method. Dr. Sara uses the lightest force needed for each child's size.
Absolutely. The Activator Method is especially good for patients with
osteoporosis or arthritis because it requires no twisting or strong force.
Most patients feel immediate relief. With the Diversified
Technique you may hear a small pop — harmless gas releasing from the joint, like cracking your knuckles. With the
Activator there is no pop — just a quick gentle tap.
Acupuncture is Traditional Chinese Medicine
and treats the whole body — pain, stress, hormones, sleep, and more. Dry needling only targets muscle trigger points.
Dr. Sara is a Certified Acupuncturist.
It looks for the root cause of why you do not feel well — not just
naming and masking symptoms. It uses thorough testing and a personalized plan using food, lifestyle, and supplements.
It works alongside your regular medical care.
No. Once you feel well and move well, you are done with
active care. Some patients choose monthly maintenance visits because they feel better that way — but it is always your
choice.
Most musculoskeletal pain — back, neck, sciatica, headaches,
plantar fasciitis, shoulder, knee, hip, hands, sports injuries. Through acupuncture and functional medicine we also help
with stress, sleep, fatigue, hormones, gut health, smoking cessation, and post-surgery recovery.
Not always. Dr. Sara only orders imaging when there is a clear clinical
reason. We do not run X-rays just to run them.
In Iowa, no. You can come directly without a referral. A few insurance
plans require one for billing — Kim will let you know if yours does.
Comfortable clothes you can move in — yoga pants, sweats, or
athletic wear. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, medications list, and any recent imaging. Plan 45–60 minutes for your
first visit.
Many patients feel better after just 1–2 visits for acute pain.
Long-standing chronic problems take longer. Dr. Sara gives you a realistic estimate after your exam.
Yes — and
that is part of what makes us different. Dr. Sara holds all three credentials, so all your care is coordinated in one place by
one provider who knows your full story.
Call us, talk to Kim, and come in for a first visit. If
after meeting Dr. Sara you do not feel heard and confident, she will be the first to help you find a better fit.
We are at 3300 SW 9th St, Suite 3, Des Moines, IA 50315 — on the
Southside, near SW 9th and Park Avenue. Easy parking directly in front of the building.
Call us at (515) 244-1823. Kim will get you scheduled, usually
within a few days. She will verify your insurance before you come in so there are no surprises.
We accept most major plans including Medicare, Wellmark,
Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Call with your insurance card and Kim will verify your coverage the same
day.
Medicare Part B covers manual spinal adjustments for
medically necessary care — you pay 20% after your Part B deductible. Medicare does not cover the exam fee, x-rays,
acupuncture, ultrasound, or e-stim. Many Medicare Advantage plans have extra coverage — we will check yours.
We keep our self-pay rates reasonable. Please call
for current pricing. We always tell you the cost before any treatment — no surprises.
Yes. It is one of the safest drug-free treatments for musculoskeletal
pain. Mild soreness for a day or two is the most common side effect. Dr. Sara has been practicing safely since 1994.
Not always. Dr. Sara only orders imaging when there is a clear clinical
reason. We do not run X-rays just to run them.