Why We Begin with a Brief Screening Call
- FriscoUpperCervical
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 3
When someone reaches out to schedule, most offices simply book the appointment.
We begin with a brief screening call.
Before committing to the time and cost of a full evaluation, Dr. Tanase spends about five minutes on the phone to determine whether this model of care is right for you.
It’s a small step, but an important one.
Upper Cervical care is a focused structural approach. The word “chiropractor” can carry broad expectations, and some concerns are better addressed by a different type of provider. The screening call helps determine whether this evaluation makes sense before you move forward.
What the Screening Call Does
The purpose is simple: alignment.
During the call, you’ll briefly describe what you’re experiencing and how long it has been present. Dr. Tanase may ask a few clarifying questions about onset, prior care, or imaging history.
He is not diagnosing you over the phone.
This is not a sales call.
He is determining whether a comprehensive structural evaluation is likely to be useful.
If the answer is yes, you move forward with clarity.
If the answer is no, you avoid an unnecessary visit.
A Different Starting Point
Many patients are used to a different experience.
You schedule an appointment. You wait days or weeks. You arrive early to complete paperwork. You sit in the exam room while your provider reviews your chart for the first time.
The first few minutes of your visit are spent summarizing your history while they read and type.
That model is common.
We’ve chosen a different structure.
The screening call and advance preparation mean that when you arrive for your evaluation, the conversation begins where many offices are still gathering information. The goal is not speed. It is focus.
What It Protects
Your time
If your situation clearly requires imaging first, medical evaluation, or another type of specialist, it is better to identify that early.
Your financial investment
A thorough upper cervical evaluation is detailed and intentional. It should not be pursued casually.
Your expectations
Some patients are seeking frequent full spine adjustments or insurance-driven care. That is not how this office operates. Clarifying these expectations prevents frustration.
Clinical judgment
Not every condition is mechanical in origin. Sometimes the right next step lies elsewhere. The screening ensures care is recommended only when upper cervical chiropractic is clinically appropriate.
When We May Not Proceed
Occasionally, the screening leads to a recommendation not to schedule a full evaluation.
That decision is not personal. It is clinical.
Examples may include:
Recent trauma requiring imaging first
Symptoms that warrant medical evaluation
Goals that do not align with this practice model
Situations where another provider is better suited to help
In those cases, the most responsible decision is to say so early.
Why We Don’t Skip This Step
It would be easier to remove the screening call and simply book everyone who inquires.
Many offices do.
But the priority here is clarity and appropriateness.
When you walk into your evaluation, it should be intentional, structured, and grounded in sound clinical reasoning.
Five minutes of conversation can prevent months of misplaced effort.
The screening call is a small step, but it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Part of Our New Patient Process
This article is one part of our three-step process for new patients.
To understand the full structure, you may also want to read:
How to Get Started at Frisco Upper Cervical
An overview of our complete new patient roadmap.
How advance preparation changes the quality of your first appointment.
Why reserving time in this model requires commitment in advance.
