Dr. Elise Rigney

Your First Chiropractic Visit: What to Expect

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If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, it’s normal to feel a little nervous. Most people aren’t sure what will happen, so here’s a simple walkthrough.

Before you come in

  • Wear something comfortable that you can move in
  • Think about what’s bugging you the most, and when it started
  • Bring a list of any medications and past injuries
  • Bring questions. We love questions.

What happens at your visit

  1. A conversation. We start by listening. Where does it hurt? What have you tried? What do you want to be able to do again?
  2. An exam. We look at your posture, how you move, and the area that’s bothering you.
  3. A plan. If chiropractic care looks like a good fit, we explain what we found in plain words and what we’d recommend. If it isn’t a fit, we’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.
  4. Your first adjustment, if appropriate. Nothing happens that you haven’t agreed to first.

Common questions

Does it hurt? Most people describe it as pressure and a feeling of relief. Some feel a little sore afterward, like after a workout.

What’s the popping sound? It’s gas moving in the joint, like when you crack your knuckles. It isn’t bone on bone.

Do I need a referral? Usually not. You can call us directly.

How long will it take? Your first visit is usually longer than the visits after it, because we’re getting to know you.

Ready to start?

Call your local clinic or book online. We’d love to meet you.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary.

Fall Fun Without the Aches

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Fall is the best. Here’s how to enjoy it without paying for it on Monday.

Raking leaves

  • Switch hands often
  • Bend with your knees, not your back
  • Take a break every 15 minutes

Pumpkin patches

  • Carry pumpkins close to your body
  • Ask for help with the big ones
  • Wear shoes with real support

Hiking

  • Warm up for five minutes first
  • Use trekking poles on downhill sections
  • Stretch your hips and calves after

Game days

Sitting in cold bleachers for hours is hard on your back. Bring a cushion, stand up every quarter, and move around at halftime.

Apple picking

Reaching overhead again and again can strain your neck and shoulders. Take breaks and switch arms.

Local spots to try

(Please verify and swap in real places for each city.)

  • Fort Collins: [local pumpkin patch / trail]
  • Golden: [local trail / festival]
  • Loveland: [local farm / event]
  • Cherry Hills Village / South Denver: [local park / patch]

When to get checked

If an ache hangs around for more than a few days, or it keeps coming back, it’s worth having someone take a look.

How we can help

  • All locations: chiropractic care
  • Fort Collins and Golden: SoftWave for recovery
  • Fort Collins: Decompression for back and neck pain

Pelvic and Hip Pain: How the Nervous System Fits In

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Pelvic and hip pain can have a lot of causes, including conditions like endometriosis. If you have ongoing or severe pelvic pain, please see your doctor first so you get a clear diagnosis.

Where chiropractic may fit

Once you have medical guidance, some women look for ways to support their body’s movement and comfort. Chiropractic care looks at how your spine, pelvis and nervous system are working together. For some people, that may help with tension in the low back and hips.

What we don’t do

We do not treat or cure endometriosis or any other medical condition. We work alongside your healthcare team.

What to expect

  • A conversation about your history
  • A gentle exam of your posture and movement
  • A plan that feels right for you, and a referral if we think you need something we don’t offer

This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

 Women’s Health Deserves More Than One Month

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Pink ribbons are a great reminder. But women’s health is a year-round thing, and a lot of women have been told that what they’re feeling is “just part of being a woman.”

Common doesn’t mean normal

Painful periods, pelvic pain, constant fatigue, back pain that won’t quit, and trouble sleeping are all really common. That doesn’t mean you have to just live with them. They’re worth asking questions about.

What women’s health includes

  • Hormones and cycles
  • Pregnancy, prenatal and postpartum recovery
  • Pelvic and hip pain
  • Back, neck and posture changes
  • Stress, sleep and energy
  • Screenings and preventive care

The nervous system connection

Your nervous system connects almost everything in your body, including your spine, hips, and pelvis. When your body is under stress, you may hold tension in those areas without realizing it. Chiropractic care focuses on how your spine and nervous system are working together, which may help you move and feel better.

Three things to try this week

  1. Book the appointment you’ve been putting off. A check-up, a screening, or an adjustment.
  2. Write down your symptoms for a week. Patterns help your provider help you.
  3. Move for 10 minutes a day. A walk counts.

Join us: Women’s Health Social (Fort Collins)

Friday, October 23 · 4–6 PM 3720 S College Ave, Fort Collins Free to attend. 15+ local vendors. Hosted by Dr. Hannah. Come meet local women’s health providers, ask questions, and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Alt text for other locations (Golden, Loveland, Cherry Hills): “Our Fort Collins team is hosting a free Women’s Health Social on Friday, October 23. Follow us on social for details!”

This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Every October, the world turns pink. But awareness only helps if it leads to action. So here’s a plain-language guide to what’s worth knowing, and one small thing you can do this month.

The numbers, simply

About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That number can feel scary. The good news is that when breast cancer is found early, treatment options are often better. That’s why screening matters.

What do the guidelines say about screening?

Guidelines vary a little by organization, so this is a good conversation to have with your doctor.

  • Many major medical groups recommend women start mammograms at age 40.
  • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a mammogram every two years from ages 40 to 74.
  • The American Cancer Society says women 40 to 44 can choose to start yearly screening, and recommends regular screening starting at 45.
  • If you have a family history or other risk factors, your doctor may suggest starting earlier or adding other tests.

Know your normal

You know your body best. Get familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel, so you notice changes. Things worth mentioning to your doctor include:

  • A new lump or thickening
  • Changes in size or shape
  • Skin changes like dimpling or redness
  • Nipple changes or discharge
  • Ongoing pain in one spot

Most changes turn out not to be cancer. But it’s always okay to get something checked.

What Impact does and doesn’t do

We want to be clear and honest. Chiropractic care does not screen for, diagnose, or treat breast cancer. Your primary care provider, OB-GYN, and imaging center are the right team for that.

What we can do is support you as a whole person. If you’re going through treatment or recovery, we’re happy to coordinate with your oncology team and make sure any care we provide is safe and appropriate for where you are.

One small step this month

  • Book your mammogram if you’re due
  • Do a quick self-check and learn your normal
  • Ask a family member about your family health history
  • Text a friend and encourage her to schedule hers

You don’t have to do all four. Pick one.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about the screening plan that’s right for you.

A Colorado Fall Reset: 5 Ways to Feel Good as Life Gets Busy

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September has a way of changing everything at once.

School is back. Sports are in full swing. Work schedules pick up. Weekends fill quickly.

And suddenly, the routines that made you feel good all summer can start slipping away.

But a healthy fall doesn’t require completely overhauling your schedule.

Sometimes the best reset is simply returning to the basics.

☀️ 1. Take Advantage of Colorado Sunshine

Before the days get shorter, make getting outside part of your routine.

Take a walk after dinner. Meet a friend outside instead of sitting indoors. Head to a park with the kids. Eat lunch outside when you can.

Even a short break from your normal environment can create a natural pause in a busy day.

🚶 2. Make Movement Convenient

You don’t need an hour-long workout for movement to matter.

Walk while your child is at practice.

Take the stairs.

Stretch between meetings.

Park farther away.

Take the dog around the block.

Small opportunities to move add up—and they’re often much easier to maintain than an “all or nothing” routine.

😴 3. Protect Your Sleep

When schedules get busy, bedtime is often the first thing to shift.

Try creating a more predictable evening rhythm: dim the lights, put the phone away a little earlier, prep tomorrow’s necessities ahead of time, and give yourself a chance to wind down.

🏈 4. Don’t Forget About Recovery

Fall sports aren’t just demanding for kids.

Parents are driving to practices, squeezing in their own workouts, working full days, and trying to keep everyone fed and organized.

Recovery isn’t something you earn after you’ve done enough.

It’s part of taking care of yourself.

💙 5. Make Room for Connection

A healthy life isn’t just about exercise and nutrition.

It’s also about the people we experience it with.

Family dinner. A Saturday morning walk. Calling a friend. Watching your child’s game without checking your email.

Those little moments matter.

Your Fall Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

At Impact Chiropractic Cherry Hills, we believe wellness should help you experience more of the life happening around you.

You don’t need a perfect morning routine, a perfect workout schedule, or a perfectly organized calendar.

Start small.

Choose one habit that helps you feel more grounded and build from there.

Here’s to a healthy, active, connected Colorado fall. 💙