Do you take my insurance? 

North Shore Osteopathic, LLC is pleased to offer affordable specialist services with several options to make this type of care accessible.

• Invoices and Superbills will be made available within the week or after a few weeks as requested - for those who intend to submit to their insurance companies for reimbursement.

• If you do not have or plan to use insurance, we off an Uninsured Membership Plans based on age-groups. We also offer an 100% Service-Connect Veteran Discount Plan. HOWEVER, YOUR INTEREST MUST BE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED BY EMAIL prior to scheduling - After request is received, an email will be sent confirming ultimately which Plan for which the patient will become financially responsible.

• Responsible party for the UNINSURED MEMBERSHIP PLAN is expected to pay online in 3-month, 6-month, 9-month or 12-month bundles within the NORTH SHORE OSTEOPATHIC, LLC website (see SHOP).

• Veterans who are 100% Service-Connected and who wish to enroll in this flat rate discount plan may also pay online via the website under SHOP prior to their appointment - or pay at the time of visit.

ARE ALL PROCEDURES REIMBURSIBLE BY MY INSURANCE? UNFORTUNATELY, NO

• We’ve done our homework and researched what was a good investment and effective for your health and wellbeing, BUT despite good outcomes and patients and staff supporting continued trials of some of our options, NOT all procedures are reimbursable by insurance companies and/or Medicare/Medicaid.

• Please see our Financial Policy section for more specifics as to what is likely NOT to be covered.

WHAT payment options ARE AVAILABLE?

Payment on the same day of service is anticipated. Full payments by cash, check, credit (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, JCB or UnionPay International logo), debit, or health saving accounts are accepted. If enrolled in one of the Plans, payment is anticipated prior to or at the time of the visit.

• Dr. Behling will not keep your credit card on file; however, if you intend to enroll in the Membership Plan, this will be expected when you pay through NorthShoreOsteopathic.com under ‘Shop’. You may also choose to keep your credit care on file if you are enrolling as a 100% Service-Connected Veteran.

• One may pay with more than one type of payment (ex. cash, check and/or credit card) at the time of the appointment.

What should I wear?

It's important that you feel comfortable, so wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants, or bring these clothes with you to change into. Hospital gowns will be made available for areas more difficult to reach or if you forget to wear something accessible. Gait evaluation is always part of the examination, so please bring low-heeled shoes or socks for this purpose. If you have assistive devices, prosthetics, orthotics or other bracing that your regularly use, please consider bringing these in as well to at least your initial consultation (AND IF DR. BEHLING ASKED YOU NICELY TO USE IT/THEM DUE TO YOUR RISKS OF FALL OR BECAUSE OF JOINT INSTABILITY AND PAIN).

Do I have to remove my clothes?

Clothing is nearly always kept on during all procedures unless the need for a more sterile location. Depending on the area of the body requiring treatment, you may be asked to remove accessories or one layer of clothing (usually bulky jewelry, belts, ties, sweaters, and nice button-down shirts when you have a t-shirt underneath). Otherwise, hospital gowns will be provided to limit exposure during examination and/or procedures.

Can I bring a friend or relative?

Yes, friends, family members, care providers and/or advocates are encouraged to join us in the room for consultation and successive evaluations and treatments unless the patient prefers privacy (exception in that case is if the patient has significant cognitive deficits, the advocate will be asked to be present).

Do you offer urgent or same-day visits?

Every effort to schedule Urgent visits will be scheduled within 24 hours.

Unfortunately, walk-in services cannot be accommodated, but one may schedule 3-hours prior, if an appointment time is available but NOT prior to the office start time.

If you are having intense and intractable pain or dysfunction within the first 24-hours post-treatment, CONTACT DR. BEHLING IMMEDIATELY via 603-316-1264. Otherwise, non-treatment concerns should be first evaluated by your Primary Care Provider and/or the nearest Urgent Care / Emergency Room.

What if I am already GETTING TREATMENT FROM a MUSCULOSKELETAL MASSAGE OR PHYSICAL Therapist, osteopathic PHYSICIAN or chiropractic provider?

Please note that if you are receiving ‘aggressive’ tissue and/or joint manipulative care elsewhere at the time you decide to work with Dr. Behling, it is likely that Dr. Behling will NOT treat you while providers are still treating you so as to avoid medicolegal complications - Massage, Bowen and Acupuncture therapies are exceptions. It is encouraged that you be open and upfront with your other therapists and Providers when receiving any care that may mobilize and affect range of motion for joints, tissues and/or limbs.

If you are being treated by another therapist or provider and develop intense pain or functional deficits, we encourage you to contact the Provider that most recently treated you.

What if my condition changes over time?

It is important to tell a therapist or physician if your medical condition changes over time. This includes any new injuries or changes of medications. Care Providers should regularly re-test your muscles, nerves and range of motion to determine if any progressive improvement or decompensation has occurred. As a physician, Dr. Behling can prescribe additional medication or supplements, diagnostic testing and/or imaging, or set up a referral for another clinical provider's care if there are significant changes or concerns.

Is Osteopathic Manipulation painful?

Physicians who practice Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine learn over 20 modalities (different ways) of achieving improvements in range of motion, circulation and function. Some of these techniques are more appropriate than others, depending on your age, condition and personal preferences. For instance, for someone with fused neck vertebrae, high velocity ‘cracking’ is not appropriate, nor is traction. However, there are several other treatments that can minimize pain and improve range of motion. Using newer technologies such as pEMF, ICES, cold Laser, and LED arrays also help to prepare the sites for OMM as well as can be used after OMM to improve aftercare.

A good example is treatment of a trigger point — One could needle the area, receive manual treatment, LED, pEMF, or ICES to alternatively soften up the muscle and reset the muscle reflex to break down the muscle spasm. The same goes to mobilize and break up adhesions and scar tissue. Please expect ongoing explanation and direction of positioning and treatment during procedures so you have ample opportunity to question or redirect care if it does get uncomfortable. BOTTOM LINE: You are in charge of your own treatments. 

What kind of treatments do you provide for anxiety and depression?

Generally, anxiety and depression are treated holistically. EVERY APPOINTMENT will review lifestyle changes, nutrition, personalized exercise routines, medications and non-pharmaceutical supplementation, essential oils and/or any obstacles to your wellbeing, including support systems or lack thereof. Other well-received adjunctive therapies are available through North Shore Osteopathic: PEMF, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. Additionally, a progressive new technology called ICES, which provides continuous low intensity Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has been shown to be beneficial - although requires nearly daily treatment for several weeks.

How often do I have to go to get results?

This depends on how much relief you get after your first treatment. Other than for Neuromuscular Re-education via Vibration Therapy, PEMF, ICES (and the cTMS), return visits are usually not less than weekly. After any physical or biochemical changes, your body should be given a chance to recover (unless in such terrible state, please come as soon as possible!).

Please note that there are indeed "standardized" treatment protocols listed with the American Osteopathic Association, but I find that individualized care is always more productive and satisfying for all parties.

What if I want to just have a “general massage”?

Although I would NEVER call Osteopathic Manipulation a type of massage technique, there are components that may feel like neuromuscular/medical or deep tissue bodywork. If you regularly seek out a massage therapist, you will definitely notice the difference in treatment results for specific sites. If you are looking for various types of massage techniques, please consider contacting Terri Tuttle with Covellite Holistics in Amherst, NH!