TL;DR
- By November, kids have carried heavy backpacks for three months and many have finished a fall sports season. Parents have spent the fall driving, lifting and sitting at a desk.
- A checkup before the holidays gives each family member a fresh look before travel, long car rides and a busy December.
- At Thrive Chiropractic, new family members start with a gentle CLA Insight scan, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes and uses no radiation.
- We see everyone from newborns to grandparents. We don't bill insurance, but we accept HSA and FSA cards.
The stretch between Halloween and Thanksgiving is usually when families finally catch their breath. School routines are set, fall sports are winding down, and the holiday calendar hasn't fully taken over yet. That makes it a good window for a family checkup.
If you've been meaning to bring the kids in, or you've been putting off your own visit for months, here is why November works, what we look at for each age, and what a first visit at Thrive looks like.
Why Get a Family Chiropractic Checkup Before the Holidays?
A checkup before the holidays gives you a clear picture of how everyone's spine and nervous system are handling the fall before the schedule gets packed. Kids have had a full season of backpacks and sports. Parents have had months of desk work, driving and carrying little ones. Then come long car rides to see family, unfamiliar beds and late nights.
Getting in now means you have a plan in place before December, instead of trying to fit appointments around school programs, travel and family visits.
What Are We Looking For in Kids?
For kids and teens, we pay attention to the parts of their routine that put steady load on a growing body.
Backpacks
Heavy backpacks can strain the shoulders and spine, especially when kids sling them over one shoulder. A few habits help:
- Use both straps, snug enough that the bag sits close to the back
- Pack the heaviest books closest to the back
- Clean out what isn't needed each day
Fall sports
Football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and cheer all ask a lot of young bodies. By the end of the season, many athletes are stiff, sore or compensating for a bump or a fall. A checkup at the end of the season is a good time to see how they're moving. Our post on sports chiropractic in Topeka has more on how we care for athletes.
Screens and homework
Long stretches of homework and screen time pull heads forward and round the shoulders. We look at posture as part of every scan and exam.
Babies and toddlers
We also see newborns and toddlers. Pediatric adjustments are gentle and adapted to a child's size and stage. Both of our doctors are Webster certified and members of the ICPA, and Dr. Maggie holds the CACCP credential through the ICPA. You can learn more on our pediatric chiropractic page.
What About the Parents?
Parents tend to put their own care last. Fall is hard on adult bodies too.
- Desk work. Hours at a computer add up in the neck and upper back.
- Driving. School drop-off, practice pickup and errands mean a lot of time in the car.
- Lifting kids. Car seats, strollers, sports bags and toddlers who want to be carried.
- Pregnancy. If you are expecting, your body is changing week to week. Our pregnancy chiropractic care is designed for this stage.
Getting checked at the same time as your kids is one of the easiest ways to make sure it actually happens. And if grandparents are visiting for the holidays, they are welcome too. We see everyone from a brand new baby to a busy grandparent.
How Does the CLA Insight Scan Fit In?
The CLA Insight scan is how we start care for every new family member. It is a gentle, non-invasive scan that looks at how your nervous system is working, and it is safe for newborns through seniors.
The scan uses three tools:
- HRV (heart rate variability), which looks at how your body adapts to stress
- Thermal scanning, which looks at temperature patterns along the spine
- Surface EMG, which looks at muscle tension patterns along the spine
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes and uses no radiation. We wrote a full guide to the CLA Insight scan in Topeka if you want a closer look. You can also read about it on our CLA scanning page.
For a family, the scans are useful because each person gets their own baseline. Two kids in the same house can have very different results, and their care plans reflect that.
What Happens at Your First Visits?
The onboarding process takes place over the first two visits.
Visit one: getting to know you
Before your first appointment, you'll fill out intake forms in the Jane app. Plan about 45 minutes for the first visit. We'll talk through your health history, your goals and anything that is bothering you, and then run your Insight scans along with range of motion and posture checks.
Visit two: bringing it together
At your second visit, Dr. Maggie goes over the results of your nervous system scans, revisits your goals and explains her recommendations for care. You'll receive your first adjustment at this visit, and we'll present financial options.
If you're bringing several family members, call or text us and we'll help you plan the visits.
Who Are the Doctors at Thrive?
Dr. Maggie Hunsicker is a fourth-generation chiropractor. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology at Washburn University and her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She holds the CACCP credential through the ICPA and is Webster certified.
Dr. Kailee Logan earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic University in 2022. She is Webster certified, an ICPA member and holds a 100-hour acupuncture certification.
How Much Does Family Chiropractic Cost at Thrive?
We do not accept health insurance, but we happily accept HSA and FSA cards. Cash payment is requested at the time of service, and all major credit cards are accepted.
We don't offer walk-in adjustments. Instead, every person gets a customized care plan based on their goals and what we find during the initial visit. Care plans are offered as bundled visits over time at a discounted rate. You'll see your financial options at your second visit, before you commit to anything.
If you have HSA or FSA dollars left this year, a family checkup is one way to use them. Check your plan's deadline with your benefits provider.
A Simple Family Checklist for Holiday Travel
If you're driving to see family over Thanksgiving or Christmas, a little planning helps everyone arrive in better shape.
- Stop every hour or two so kids and adults can get out, walk and stretch.
- Check car seats and booster seats before a long trip so little ones sit upright and supported.
- Pack a familiar pillow for each person if there's room. Strange beds are hard on necks.
- Keep bedtimes close to normal when you can. Overtired kids and parents feel every ache more.
- Schedule follow-up visits now, so you aren't trying to find a time in the week before or after a trip.
When Should Someone See a Medical Doctor First?
Chiropractic care works alongside medical care. See your doctor or go to urgent care first if a family member has:
- Severe pain after a fall, collision or sports injury
- Numbness, weakness or tingling that is getting worse
- A fever with back or neck pain
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
Book Your Family's Checkup
Thrive Chiropractic
509 SW Jackson St, Topeka, KS 66603
Call or text: (785) 331-4515
Hours
Monday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 2pm
Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday through Sunday: Closed
We see families from west, east and north Topeka and across Shawnee County. Over 140 families and individuals have left us five-star Google reviews.
Want more on how we care for every age? Read chiropractic for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only see prenatal and pediatric patients?
Not at all. Our doctors have advanced training in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic, but we see the whole family, from a brand new baby to a busy grandparent.
At what age can children start chiropractic care?
Children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, can receive gentle chiropractic care. Our pediatric techniques are adapted to a child's size, weight and stage.
Is the CLA Insight scan safe for kids?
Yes. The scan is non-invasive, uses no radiation and is safe for newborns through seniors. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Do adjustments hurt?
Most adjustments are painless. You may feel slight pressure or a brief sense of release. Some people feel mild soreness afterward, similar to after exercise.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept health insurance. We accept HSA and FSA cards, cash and all major credit cards.
How long do visits take?
Plan about 45 minutes for your first visit. After your initial visits, regular sessions usually take about 15 to 30 minutes.
