New Patient Assessment & Treatment

What it is

The New Patient Assessment is the foundation of any care plan with Dr. Slater. Before any hands-on treatment is offered, the visit begins with an in-depth conversation about your health history, current concerns, lifestyle, work demands, prior injuries, and your personal goals for care.

From there, a focused physical and functional examination is performed — looking at posture, joint motion, muscle and connective tissue quality, neurological screening where indicated, and the movement patterns relevant to what brought you in. The goal is a clear, individualized picture of how your body is moving today.

When the examination findings make it clinically appropriate, your first chiropractic treatment is included in the same visit. If further imaging or referral is warranted, that is discussed openly before any treatment is delivered.

What to expect

History & conversation. About 20 minutes reviewing your concerns, medical history, and goals.
Examination. Posture, joint range of motion, orthopedic and functional testing — only what is relevant to your case.
Findings discussion. A plain-language summary of what was found, what it likely means, and what care could look like.
Treatment (if appropriate). May include manual adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, mobilization, and movement-based strategies.
Plan & next steps. Recommendations for follow-up frequency, home strategies, and any referrals.

How to prepare

Wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in — athletic wear is ideal.
Bring a list of any current medications, supplements, or relevant imaging reports.
Note any insurance details — direct billing may be available depending on your provider.
Arrive 5–10 minutes early to complete intake forms, or fill them out in advance via the booking portal.

Who it’s for

Anyone new to the practice — whether you are seeking care for a specific concern, have not visited Dr. Slater in over a year, or are simply curious about whether chiropractic care is a good fit for you. Care is provided to all ages, and no referral is required.

The first visit is about understanding the whole picture before any care is offered — not just where it hurts, but how you live, move, and what you want from your body.

What patients say

I felt heard for the entire visit. Dr. Slater explained what she was finding as she went — I left understanding my body better than after years of other appointments.

— A.M. · St. Albert

The exam was thorough but never rushed. I appreciated being told what wasn’t a chiropractic issue and where else I could get help.

— E.R. · Edmonton

Related services

The first visit, step by step

Knowing the shape of the appointment ahead of time removes most of the nervousness people arrive with. Here is the actual sequence:

Arrival and paperwork (about 5 minutes). Intake forms can be completed in advance through the booking system, which saves time in the room.
The conversation (10–15 minutes). What brought you in, how long it has been going on, what makes it better or worse, what you have already tried, your health history, and what you actually want to get back to doing.
Physical examination. Posture, active and passive range of motion, palpation of the involved joints and muscles, plus orthopedic and neurological testing where your symptoms call for it.
Findings, explained in plain language. What I think is driving the problem, how confident I am, and what I would recommend. You should be able to explain it to someone else afterwards.
Treatment, if appropriate. Technique is explained before anything happens, and you can decline any part of it.
Plan and home strategy. A realistic number of visits with re-assessment points, plus the small daily things that usually matter more than the in-office work.

What you will not get

No pressure to pre-pay for a long block of visits. No scan-based fear pitch. No promise to cure something outside what chiropractic actually treats. If the examination suggests the problem is not musculoskeletal, or that it needs imaging or another provider, I will say so — that is part of primary contact responsibility, not a failure of the appointment.

If you are nervous about being adjusted

Tell me at the start. It is a common concern and it changes nothing about how welcome you are. An adjustment is a small, specific movement to one joint, and it is never the automatic first step. If you would prefer a lower-force approach, we work at a pace you are comfortable with. You stay in control of what happens.

Getting to the St. Albert clinic

The St. Albert clinic is inside Eden Health & Wellness at 71 Corriveau Avenue, Suite 120 — ground floor, free on-site parking, and straightforward if you are bringing a stroller. On arrival, head through to the back waiting room for appointments with me. Patients also travel in from Morinville, Sturgeon County, and Legal. There is a second clinic in West Edmonton.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a first chiropractic appointment?

About 45 minutes at both clinics. Roughly the first 10 to 15 minutes is a conversation about what brought you in and what you have already tried, followed by a physical examination, and then treatment if the findings support it.

How much does a new patient examination cost?

The new patient examination with treatment is $115. A standard follow-up treatment is $65. Fees are published and are the same as those shown in the online booking system.

Will I be adjusted on the first visit?

Sometimes, but not automatically. Whether treatment happens on the first visit depends on what the examination shows. If something needs further investigation or referral, that is said plainly instead of proceeding.

Do I need a referral for a first appointment?

No. Chiropractors in Alberta are primary contact practitioners, so you can book directly. A small number of private insurance plans ask for a physician referral before they reimburse, so it is worth checking your own plan.

What should I bring to my first visit?

Photo ID, your Alberta Health card, your extended health benefits card if you have one, a list of current medications, and any recent imaging or specialist reports. If you were in a collision, bring your claim number.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing you can move in. Nothing restrictive at the waist or neck. Gowning is not routinely required.

Do you direct bill insurance?

Yes, to most major Canadian insurers. Bring your benefits card to the first visit and the claim is submitted at the time of the appointment, so you pay only whatever your plan does not cover.

Begin care.

Schedule your first visit

New patient appointments fill quickly. Reserve your spot in advance through the online booking portal — confirmation is immediate.

Book on Jane App Have a question?