The Balanced Difference

Balanced • December 31, 2020

The Balanced Patient Difference

We often ask ourselves what makes us different from the other clinics in the area and what we can do to help our patients get the most out of their time with our practice. These are the questions that have continued to help us grow both as individuals as well as a clinic. Below are a few of the things that set us apart from some of the other clinics in town.

First and foremost, we believe in treating people, not just conditions or injuries . Care needs to evolve to look at patients as a complex being, not just a sprained ligament or chronic pain patient. Our practice will spend longer with you at your initial evaluation to ensure that we learn as much as possible about you as a person, as well as your condition. Some of the things we may dive into on the first day besides asking about your injury include your diet, sleeping patterns, stressors, and YOUR goals for care.

We want to help you reach your goals . Sure, we have objective measures that need to improve like strength, range of motion, and pain to justify a need for care to your insurance company. That being said, these improvements will be targeted on the way to meeting your goals for care. We believe in having patients guide their care within reason. Having our patients set goals allows us to design exercise programs and other treatments around the thing you want to get back to. We put our patients in the driver’s seat of their care.

While we have a research informed bias. Our goal is never to arbitrarily give a patient a series of treatments, we ensure that treatment plans are individualized. Treatment is often based around the best available evidence for treating a condition in a population similar to that of our patients. While we are biased toward evidence, we also take into account our personal experience with working with certain conditions and our patients expectations for treatment and care.

No unnecessary imaging . Choosing Wisely is a campaign to bring healthcare inline with the research. In most cases imaging is unnecessary. The main reasons to perform imaging are to check for red flags (fracture, space occupying lesion) or if a patient hasn’t responded to 6 weeks of chiropractic or physical therapy. We will not order imaging, as it can be costly, expose you to radiation, and is often unnecessary to treat our patients. We believe that unnecessary imaging is irresponsible and causes more harm than good. Going back to bullet point number 1, our patients are people, not pictures. Treatment will not correct an x-ray, it will help to correct the biological processes taking place in your body.

No gimmicks . We provide treatments supported by a sound body of scientific evidence that are widely agreed upon as being effective. You won’t find lasers, magic vitamins, or ultrasound in our office. Lasers sound cool (pew pew), but the evidence is weak, and before we recommend an expensive treatment like that, we want to be sure that it will work for most of our patients. If there was a great body of research supporting lasers, then we’d have two! But until there is, we won’t be recommending any fancy expensive treatments that lighten your wallet.

As chiropractors and physical therapists our goals are to help you meet your goals, as quickly and efficiently as possible, and in as pleasant a way as possible. It is also our job to educate! You have questions? Ask away! If you want to know why we are selecting a specific treatment or exercise, just ask and we will be happy to explain. Every patient is treated as an individual, and every individual has their own needs for care.

We also offer free consultations and never make you pay for care up front. We don’t think it should cost someone money to know where they should begin with their care: If we think we can help, we will let you know. But if we think that you don’t need treatment, or would be better served by seeing another provider type we will let you know that too. We want patients to see the value in the care at our clinic, and having someone pay upfront is not the way to do this. If a patient feels they are not getting better under our care, they should be free to seek care somewhere else without an added financial burden.

We are always working to improve as a clinic and individuals and we never stray away from these 7 points. We also keep our mission close to heart to serve the greater Charlottesville community by delivering the best in evidence-based care with integrated chiropractic, physical therapy and massage therapy to help each patient reach optimal health and well-being.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Mail

From Pain to Progress: What Real Patients Say About the Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Experience

By Allison Hawthorne • September 18, 2025

When you're in pain — whether from a nagging injury, post-surgical recovery, or chronic discomfort — finding the right care can feel like a maze. At Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, many patients walk in skeptical but leave with something they hadn’t experienced in other clinics: real relief and a clear plan forward. What sets this clinic apart? It's not just the treatment. It’s the total experience — one where skilled practitioners combine chiropractic care, physical therapy, and patient education to help individuals regain mobility, confidence, and quality of life. A Different Kind of Care Experience From the moment individuals arrive, they notice a different tone. The team at Balanced doesn’t just treat the symptoms — they take time to understand the full picture. Many patients describe the approach as comprehensive, personal, and results-focused . Whether recovering from orthopedic surgery or managing long-standing joint pain, patients often comment on how the care they received here was more effective than what they experienced elsewhere. The key difference? Integration. At Balanced, chiropractic and physical therapy are used in combination — not in silos. This means spinal adjustments might be paired with strengthening exercises, or dry needling might be used to reduce tension while also building joint stability. It’s a multi-modal approach designed to accelerate healing while helping prevent future injury. Common Conditions Addressed Patients come in with a wide range of challenges: Shoulder pain and limited mobility Back and neck discomfort, including sciatica Hip pain and post-surgical recovery Sports-related injuries Plantar fasciitis and foot issues Nerve-related symptoms, including numbness or tingling Knee pain and age-related joint stiffness Repetitive strain injuries from work or athletics Postpartum musculoskeletal challenges In each case, treatment plans are tailored — not only to the condition but to each patient’s lifestyle, goals, and progress. What Patients Consistently Say Here are some recurring themes reported by patients in public reviews: “I finally found relief after years of trying other providers.” “The care team really listens and adjusts based on how I feel week to week.” “The home exercise programs helped me stay consistent and feel in control of my progress.” “They went above and beyond — even following up after care to check on how I was doing.” “I was able to return to normal activities that I hadn’t done in years.” It’s not just about symptom relief. It’s about restoring function and confidence — whether that means returning to work, walking without pain, playing sports again, or simply sitting comfortably during long drives. Results That Speak for Themselves Across the board, patients report: Reduction in pain (often from high pain levels to minimal or none) Improved mobility and flexibility Faster recovery timelines post-surgery Better outcomes compared to previous care elsewhere Knowledge to self-manage and prevent recurrence One of the most notable differences? Patients feel like they are part of the process , not just receiving care but actively participating in their own recovery with a supportive team behind them. A Team That Prioritizes People, Not Just Protocols Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy isn't just known for clinical skill — the people are a major part of the equation. Chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and administrative staff are frequently described as: Attentive Encouraging Thorough Responsive Easy to communicate with This atmosphere of support and collaboration often leads to stronger patient engagement and better long-term results. Why It Matters Musculoskeletal pain doesn’t just affect the body — it affects work, sleep, relationships, and mental focus . The goal at Balanced isn’t just pain reduction; it’s full-body function and restored confidence in movement. Whether you’re facing a complex injury or a nagging issue you’ve ignored for too long, Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy offers something that’s hard to find in today’s healthcare landscape: individualized, integrated care that actually works. If you're exploring options for recovery, rehabilitation, or chronic pain management, Balanced may be worth your time — and could be the turning point your body’s been waiting for. Contact us today