Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family
Comprehensive Care for Chronic Pain & Injury Recovery
Please feel free to Ask Questions
Dr. Spencer believes informed patients make better decisions about their care. He takes the time to explain what he finds, what may be contributing to your discomfort, and the recommended treatment approach in plain English. There are no pressure tactics or exaggerated promises — just thoughtful, straightforward care focused on helping you move and feel better.
Whether it’s the nature of your injury or the recommended course of treatment, Dr. Spencer will explain everything to you in plain English – without a lot of medical jargon.
Dr. Spencer provides individualized chiropractic care designed to address the root causes of your pain—not just mask the symptoms. Every treatment plan is customized to your specific condition, goals, and body’s needs.
Dr. Spencer has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Learn more by clicking on the down arrow to open.
No two patients walk in with exactly the same problem, and Dr. Spencer doesn’t treat them as if they do.
At Spencer Chiropractic, there are no preset treatment packages and no pressure to commit to a fixed number of visits. Every recommendation is based on your specific condition and how your body responds. Treatment is driven by what the evaluation reveals, not by a predetermined schedule.
Effective chiropractic care isn’t about how forceful the adjustment is. It’s about applying the right amount of pressure in the right place at the right time. Dr. Spencer takes the time to evaluate thoroughly before treating, so each visit feels intentional rather than routine.
That’s what patients consistently appreciate most. Feeling like their care was built for them.
Back pain and neck pain are among the most common reasons people come see us, and you’re not alone if you’ve been dealing with discomfort that just won’t go away. Most of the time, pain develops because joints aren’t moving the way they should, muscles have tightened up to compensate, or the body has quietly shifted its mechanics to protect an area that’s been stressed.
Dr. Spencer starts with a careful evaluation to understand how your joints and muscles are working together. From there, we focus on restoring natural movement and reducing strain so your body can do what it does best (heal itself!). What he does is try to ease the barriers that are keeping your body from healing properly.
Besides back and neck pain, common conditions include:
- Injuries or conditions in the limbs (arms and legs)
- Muscle strain
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Arthritis-discomfort or Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Tendinitis
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sports Injuries
- Pain after Accidents or Physical Stress
A careful evaluation helps determine whether the discomfort appears to come from how joints and muscles are functioning together. In many cases, treatment focuses on restoring movement and reducing strain and pain so the body can move more normally again.
Dr. Spencer tailors care to each patient rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on what your evaluation reveals, he may use:
- Diversified adjusting is the classic hands-on manual adjustment most people picture when they think of chiropractic.
- Deep tissue muscle therapy may be used when tight or overworked muscles are contributing to your discomfort.
- Activator Method (instrument-assisted adjusting) is alternative to manual adjusting. For patients who prefer a lighter touch.
- Drop table technique (Thompson Technique) uses a segmented table with sections that drop slightly during the adjustment, allowing for a precise, low-force correction.
- Exercise and rehab guidance — stretches and movement homework to support in-office care.
- Basic nutritional guidance .
Chiropractic care in New Hampshire is considered direct-access, meaning you don’t need a physician’s order to be seen.
If you’re using insurance, most plans include chiropractic benefits, though coverage details vary. We’re happy to answer questions about your plan when you call so there are no surprises on your first visit. See the Insurance page for additional information.
Call Dr. Spencer directly at (603) 657-8460. Referrals are usually not needed, but confirm with your insurance provider.
Most new patients are able to get in within a few days, and same-week appointments are often available. If you’re dealing with acute pain, a sudden flare-up, discomfort after an accident, or pain that’s making it hard to work or sleep, call Dr. Spencer directly and he’ll do his best to get you in as soon as possible.
Calling is the fastest way to find an available time, and having your insurance information handy when you call can help make the intake process smoother.
Appointments are personally scheduled with Dr. Spencer, not a front desk receptionist. Give him a call at (603) 657-8460.
Health History and Discussion
Your appointment begins with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, and how the problem developed. This helps Dr. Spencer understand: where the pain or discomfort is located, when it started, what activities make it worse or better, whether the issue resulted from injury, repetitive stress, or gradual onset.
Physical Examination
A focused examination helps determine how your joints, muscles, and nerves are functioning. Depending on your situation, this may include evaluating: posture, range of motion, joint movement, areas of tenderness or muscle tension. The goal is to identify possible mechanical causes of pain or restricted movement.
Treatment Recommendations
If chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition, Dr. Spencer will explain the findings and discuss the recommended approach to care. Because every patient is different, treatment is based on your specific condition rather than a standard routine.
Hands-On Treatment
When appropriate, treatment may begin during your first visit. Dr. Spencer provides hands-on chiropractic adjustments using the appropriate level of pressure needed to improve joint movement and reduce discomfort.
Questions and Next Steps
You will have time to ask questions about your condition and the recommended care. The goal is for you to leave your visit with a clear understanding of: what may be causing your symptoms, how chiropractic care may help, what the next steps are for addressing the problem.
Chiropractic care is generally considered safe when it begins with a thorough evaluation and treatment is applied appropriately for each individual.
Before any treatment begins, Dr. Spencer takes time to understand what is causing the problem, where the restriction is, how long it has been present, and what the examination reveals. Treatment is then matched to your specific condition rather than applied as a standard protocol.
Dr. Spencer applies the appropriate amount of pressure needed for effective correction, which means care is never forced or rushed. Patients who prefer a gentler approach can discuss that when they call — options such as the Activator Method are available for those who want instrument-assisted adjusting rather than manual adjustments.
If your health history or examination suggests that chiropractic care may not be the right fit, Dr. Spencer will tell you that too.
X-rays are not required in most cases, and Dr. Spencer does not provide X-ray services in the office.
Whether imaging is needed depends on your health history, symptoms, and what the physical examination reveals. For many people, especially when symptoms and findings clearly point to a mechanical problem involving joints or muscles, treatment can begin without it.
If additional information appears important before moving forward, that will be discussed openly as part of your evaluation.
Chiropractic care can be appropriate for a wide range of ages and activity levels — from younger patients dealing with sports injuries or postural stress to older adults managing joint pain, arthritis discomfort, or the effects of years of physical wear.
Dr. Spencer evaluates each patient individually, which means care is based on what your body needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you’re an athlete, someone with a desk job, or a parent who threw out their back picking up a child, the goal is the same — restore normal movement and reduce the strain that’s causing the problem.
Conditions commonly seen across age groups include back and neck pain, muscle strain, sciatica, tendinitis, numbness and tingling, repetitive strain injuries, and pain following accidents or physical stress.
If you’re unsure whether chiropractic care is appropriate for a specific family member or condition, call Dr. Spencer at (603) 657-8460 and he’ll be happy to talk it through with you.
If pain, stiffness, or limited movement is not improving, keeps returning, or begins affecting normal activities, it may be worth having it evaluated.
Some problems begin suddenly after an injury, while others develop gradually from posture, repetitive activity, or physical stress. Addressing the problem earlier often makes it easier to understand what is contributing to the discomfort.
If something in your your body just doesn’t feel right it may be worth having an evaluation. Call Dr. Spencer if you have questions.
Spencer Chiropractic, LLC participates with several insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry Health Care, First Health, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Medicare, Mail Handlers, and PHCS.
Because coverage can vary by plan, checking your benefits before your appointment can help you understand what chiropractic services are included.
No. Chiropractic care is based on the condition being treated and how your body responds, He does not push people into consistent maintenance care.
Some patients find that after resolving a specific problem, they return periodically when symptoms come back or a new issue develops, much like returning to a dentist or physician when something changes. Others simply move on once they feel better. Either way, the decision is yours.
For more on how Dr. Spencer approaches care, see the first FAQ: What makes Dr. Spencer’s chiropractic care in Manchester, NH different?
The number of visits depends on what is causing the problem, how long it has been present, and how your body responds to treatment.
Some conditions improve quickly, while others require more time depending on how long the joints and muscles have been under strain. At Spencer Chiropractic, recommendations are based on your individual response rather than a preset treatment schedule.
Transparent Treatment Philosophy
At Spencer Chiropractic, you receive the care you need—nothing more, nothing less. If a single treatment is all that’s required, that’s what you’ll get. There are no pressure tactics to sell you into unnecessary care packages or predetermined maintenance schedules.
Treatment frequency is based on what your body needs, not a fixed protocol. Most patients are seen once a week until their condition improves, then visits are spaced out until no longer needed. You’ll be included in the decision-making process, your thoughts on your progress and how you’re feeling matter. There’s no sales agenda here. Because everyone’s condition is different, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t apply.
Additional wellness services may be located on site.
Pain that keeps coming back, or never fully goes away is often rooted in muscle and soft tissue that has been under strain for too long. Tight muscles, trigger points, and fibrous buildup can restrict normal movement and keep your body locked in a pain cycle that adjustments alone may not fully resolve.
When this is contributing to your problem, Dr. Spencer incorporates deep tissue muscular therapy directly into your treatment. Using trigger point therapy, targeted stretching, and chiropractic adjustments together, we work on the deep muscle fibers in the affected area, breaking down fibrous tissue, reducing muscle spasm, and restoring normal blood flow so the area can heal.
Most patients notice some relief after the first session. Because every patient’s condition is different, he tailors the approach to what your body actually needs. The goal is real improvement in less time, with fewer visits than a less targeted approach would require.
If chronic or persistent pain has been holding you back, call me directly at (603) 657-8460 and we’ll talk through whether this is the right approach for you.
Some people notice improvement quickly, especially when the problem is recent or related to movement restriction.
Longer-standing problems or repetitive strain may take more time depending on how the body responds to treatment.
Most often, relief is found on the first visit.
Chiropractic care focuses on how your spine and joints are moving. When a joint isn’t moving properly, it creates muscle tension, nerve irritation, and pain that often spreads beyond the original problem area.
Dr. Spencer uses hands-on treatment to restore proper joint and muscle function. This is what’s called passive care because the work is done to your body. This approach often reduces pain and allows surrounding muscles to relax and function normally again, creating the foundation for healing.
Physical Therapy: Rebuilding Through Active Care – Physical therapy tends to focus on rebuilding strength, flexibility, and movement patterns through active care which is exercises and rehabilitation work you do yourself, often with guidance. This approach is particularly valuable after surgery, or periods of limited activity where muscles have weakened.
Why Passive Care Often Comes First – If your joints and muscles aren’t functioning properly, asking your body to exercise or strengthen can increase pain or even be counterproductive. Passive care addresses the underlying condition so active rehabilitation can do its job later.
Many patients find that chiropractic care resolves their back pain without needing further intervention. For others, especially those recovering from surgery or dealing with significant weakness, a combination of both approaches provides the best results.
The right chiropractor should listen carefully before treating, evaluate thoroughly before recommending, and explain what they found before anything else happens. You should leave your first visit with a clear understanding of what may be causing your problem and what the plan is to address it — not just a bill and a follow-up appointment.
At Spencer Chiropractic, that’s exactly how Dr. Spencer approaches care. Every visit begins with an evaluation of how you’re responding, not a preset routine. Treatment is based on what your body needs that day — whether that’s a manual adjustment, instrument-assisted adjusting with the Activator, deep tissue muscular therapy, or a combination.
There are no cookie-cutter treatment packages and no pressure to commit to a predetermined number of visits. If a single treatment resolves the problem, that’s the right outcome.
If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Manchester, NH who takes the time to understand your specific condition, call Dr. Spencer at (603) 657-8460.