FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What information is reviewed by the Providers?
Imaging discs, reports and/or lab work
Medical, surgical, social and family histories.
Current dietary and exercise habits.
Spiritual concerns, if applicable
Personal support services, health advocate, etc.
Personal quality of life measures
Controlled Substance Prescription Database
What type of counseling is provided in the clinic?
How to best optimize your health given time restrictions, current fitness level, and financial constraints
Safe initiation of exercise or starting you on individualized home exercise program (HEP)
Transitional Care as part of Palliative Care services if patient and family are not ready for Hospice Care options
‘Needs’ for imaging, medications, supplementation, dietary changes.
Additional SMART Goals, DBT or CBT or ACT psychological modalities are provided through Deborah Levasseur, PhD (see The Psychologist)
Specific information about medications and prescriptions:
Patients will be educated on the most effective evidence-based (or at least consensus-based) medication options, rotations, and/or regimens (in collaboration with existing providers).
At each visit, there will be an opportunity to discuss current supplement and medication regimen as they relate to one’s personal goals, as well as the appropriateness for any controlled substance prescriptions. All prescriptions will be provided via electronic prescribing service directly to pharmacy.
New Patient prescriptions for controlled substances will be provided up to a maximum of five (5) days, and only AFTER Dr. Behling has reviewed the PDMP (controlled substance prescription database) for non-duplicate and/or inappropriate requests.
CONSENT FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES will be required for regimens more than 5-days in duration - OR - more than a total of four 5-day prescriptions (20 days) in less than six months.
Urine drug testing will be required prior to 5+ day regimen of controlled substances - AND - may be required at any time if taking controlled substances for longer than 6 months for a minimum of twice a year, especially if there are concerns about misuse or inappropriate ‘sharing’ of medications.
North Shore Osteopathic, LLC does NOT offer treatment with THC/medical marijuana.
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 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 Memberships and Flat Rate Options. A Financial Form will be sent that will confirm your specific financial option.
Patients who do not plan to use their insurance may enroll in our 3-MONTH MEMBERSHIP or purchase ALL-INCLUSIVE FLAT RATE appointments.
Does my insurance reimburse all evaluations and procedures?
Despite our patients’ good outcomes, some of our offered procedures are not reimbursable by insurance companies and/or Medicare/Medicaid.
Please see our Evaluation and Management Fees section for more specifics as to what is likely NOT to be covered.
If not using insurance, this will not be an issue for you.
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.
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.
I already receive massage, bodywork, OMT or Chiropractic care…
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 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.
Must there be a follow-up appointment after I have a procedure?
Follow-up visits for any condition managed via a procedure at the previous visit will require a short re-examination to determine whether the initial procedure was successful or unexpectedly failed or caused some adverse concern. At the followup visit, further adjustments to the care plan and whether additional procedures are warranted will be discussed. At no time will there be a definite.
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: 30- to 60-minute ‘time-outs’ in our low stimulation room, essential oil formulations to mitigate tension and headaches, oral and injectable medications, 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 be treated 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 every 5 days.
After any physical or biochemical changes, your body should be given a chance to recover.
The exception to this is if a patient is suffering from a very painful condition that requires gentler procedures in the first place, which will then allow for more frequent appointment intervals i.e., every 48-36 hours.
Please note that there are "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”?
No one would ever call Osteopathic Manipulation a type of massage technique, although 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 Dr. Behling with referrals.