Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will you be my primary care physician?
A: That is up to you. If you would like to see me exclusively for Osteopathic Manual Medicine and use another primary care physician, you can. You can also see me for primary care and not Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
A: That is up to you. If you would like to see me exclusively for Osteopathic Manual Medicine and use another primary care physician, you can. You can also see me for primary care and not Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
Q: How many times and how frequently will I need to see you to get better using Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?
This is differentfor each patient. I intially see new patients at 1 week intervals for Osteopathic Manipulation. Once their symptoms subside and do not return between visits, we move to 2-4 week intervals. On average this takes 5 treatments, but it ranges from 2-10. Once the symptoms don't return over a 4 week period, I leave it up to the patient to know when they need to return by paying attention to how they are feeling. Some people with more severe issues will find they get benefit from regular tuneups every 1-6 months. Those with more minor injuries/problems will need to come back unless they have a new injury.
This is differentfor each patient. I intially see new patients at 1 week intervals for Osteopathic Manipulation. Once their symptoms subside and do not return between visits, we move to 2-4 week intervals. On average this takes 5 treatments, but it ranges from 2-10. Once the symptoms don't return over a 4 week period, I leave it up to the patient to know when they need to return by paying attention to how they are feeling. Some people with more severe issues will find they get benefit from regular tuneups every 1-6 months. Those with more minor injuries/problems will need to come back unless they have a new injury.
Q: Do you take insurance?
I have not signed contracts with any insurance companies, so my services are reimbursed as an out of network provider. I provide my patients with a detailed superbill after every visit that they can submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. Some of my patients receive full reimbursement, while others can only count it towards their yearly deductible. This all depends upon your insurance company and individual plan.
I have not signed contracts with any insurance companies, so my services are reimbursed as an out of network provider. I provide my patients with a detailed superbill after every visit that they can submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. Some of my patients receive full reimbursement, while others can only count it towards their yearly deductible. This all depends upon your insurance company and individual plan.
Q: What ages do you see?
A: No one is too young or too old for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. I even treat newborns, Ideally everyone would receive Osteopathic care from birth. We are not currently providing complete pediatric primary care services, such as vaccinations, so if you would like your child to see us periodically we request and reccomend that they have a pediatrician as well.
A: No one is too young or too old for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. I even treat newborns, Ideally everyone would receive Osteopathic care from birth. We are not currently providing complete pediatric primary care services, such as vaccinations, so if you would like your child to see us periodically we request and reccomend that they have a pediatrician as well.
Q: Can you help me with...?
Give me a call and I am happy to personally discuss any questions you have about your particular problem.
Give me a call and I am happy to personally discuss any questions you have about your particular problem.
Q: Do you practice Cranial Osteopathy?
A: Yes, Osteopathy in the Cranial Field was my first introduction to Osteopathy. I began learning it while still in Highschool and it guides my entire approach.
A: Yes, Osteopathy in the Cranial Field was my first introduction to Osteopathy. I began learning it while still in Highschool and it guides my entire approach.
Q: How long are appointments and how much do they cost?
A: For Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, the initial appointment is 1 - 1.5 hrs and costs $250-$300, follow up appointments are 45 minutes and cost $185. I offer 2 hr visits for $350 for people with very severe/complex issues and out of town people who only have time for 1 or 2 sessions before leaving town. For minor issues or quicker follow ups I do 30 minute sessions for $100.
For primary care prices it depends on the length of time needed for the visit, rather than on insurance re-imbursement. Therefore cost ranges from $75-250. This exludes the cost of any additional procedures done during the visit.
Massage rates are $80 for 1 hr and $120 for 1 hr 30 mintues
For Medication assisted treatment for opiod/opiate dependency the induction (which includes a pre-induction visit, continual communication over a week period to stabalize the dose, and a follow up 1 week after induction) costs $300, and monthly follow up visits are $200.
A: For Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, the initial appointment is 1 - 1.5 hrs and costs $250-$300, follow up appointments are 45 minutes and cost $185. I offer 2 hr visits for $350 for people with very severe/complex issues and out of town people who only have time for 1 or 2 sessions before leaving town. For minor issues or quicker follow ups I do 30 minute sessions for $100.
For primary care prices it depends on the length of time needed for the visit, rather than on insurance re-imbursement. Therefore cost ranges from $75-250. This exludes the cost of any additional procedures done during the visit.
Massage rates are $80 for 1 hr and $120 for 1 hr 30 mintues
For Medication assisted treatment for opiod/opiate dependency the induction (which includes a pre-induction visit, continual communication over a week period to stabalize the dose, and a follow up 1 week after induction) costs $300, and monthly follow up visits are $200.
Q: Can I do a home induction with Buprenorphine?
Yes, you and Dr. Starsiak or NP Martin will make the decision together whether home induction or in office induction would be optimal. More info on Buprenorphine
Yes, you and Dr. Starsiak or NP Martin will make the decision together whether home induction or in office induction would be optimal. More info on Buprenorphine
Q: Do you take cards?
A: Yes, I take all major credit cards and Health Savings cards.
A: Yes, I take all major credit cards and Health Savings cards.
Q: Do you offer vaccinations?
A: No, we may expand into that service in the future. Currently we do not. If you are a patient and would like to see us add this service, please let us know
A: No, we may expand into that service in the future. Currently we do not. If you are a patient and would like to see us add this service, please let us know
Q: What should I wear to an Osteopathic Manipulative treatment session?
A: There are no strict rules here and I can work with anything. A lot of people who work downtown come in their business clothes without it being a problem. With that said, ideally you are wearing comfortable clothes. I recommend not wearing high heels, dresses or skirts, denim, long sleeve button up shirts, suspenders, or "spanx". There is space to change into other clothes, so if you are coming from work you can always bring a change of clothes. Gym shorts, yoga pants, t-shirts, and sweatpants are all very easy to work through. Comfortable tennis shoes are a good idea if you are able to walk around after the treatment, which I also recommend to help integrate the changes.
Q: Is there any preparation I can do before and/or after a session?
A: Again, no strict rules here. It is perfectly fine to "come as you are." However, if you have the time and desire to prepare, I will give you a list of recommendations and you can pick and choose whichever suit you.
- Complete three days of a Mung bean soup fast (recipe found under patient resources page) prior to the treatment.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs (do not discontinue medication without discussing it with your prescriber), fried food, ice cream, excessive red meat consumption, pork, excessive sugar consumption for 3-5 days before the treatment
- Take 1 tsp of Castor oil at bedtime for 1-2 weeks prior to treatment (***DO NOT DO IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, AS IT CAN INDUCE LABOR!!!)
- Spend 5-10 minutes in a steam room every other day for 1-2 weeks prior to the treatment
- Drink Ginger/Tumeric root tea 2-3 times a day, the recipe is on the patient resources page.
Here are a few suggestions for after the treatment
- Immediately after the treatment go for a 20-30 minute walk. No dog, no cell phone, no bag, preferentially in nature.
- Have a Float Tank Session immediately after, if doing this take the walk after the float. Here is a link to Better Being Float Center here in Indy
- Complete 3 days of a Kichadi fast (Recipe is under patient resources tab), gradually incorporating vegetable and fruit as the 3 days progress.
- In general avoid any strenuous or challenging activity for 1-2 days following the treatment. Then you can resume normal activity.
- Maintaining a regular habit of healthy physical activity and avoidance of excessive amounts of difficult to digest foods (red meat, fried food, ice cream, sweets, gluten) will help your body's healing.
A: There are no strict rules here and I can work with anything. A lot of people who work downtown come in their business clothes without it being a problem. With that said, ideally you are wearing comfortable clothes. I recommend not wearing high heels, dresses or skirts, denim, long sleeve button up shirts, suspenders, or "spanx". There is space to change into other clothes, so if you are coming from work you can always bring a change of clothes. Gym shorts, yoga pants, t-shirts, and sweatpants are all very easy to work through. Comfortable tennis shoes are a good idea if you are able to walk around after the treatment, which I also recommend to help integrate the changes.
Q: Is there any preparation I can do before and/or after a session?
A: Again, no strict rules here. It is perfectly fine to "come as you are." However, if you have the time and desire to prepare, I will give you a list of recommendations and you can pick and choose whichever suit you.
- Complete three days of a Mung bean soup fast (recipe found under patient resources page) prior to the treatment.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs (do not discontinue medication without discussing it with your prescriber), fried food, ice cream, excessive red meat consumption, pork, excessive sugar consumption for 3-5 days before the treatment
- Take 1 tsp of Castor oil at bedtime for 1-2 weeks prior to treatment (***DO NOT DO IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, AS IT CAN INDUCE LABOR!!!)
- Spend 5-10 minutes in a steam room every other day for 1-2 weeks prior to the treatment
- Drink Ginger/Tumeric root tea 2-3 times a day, the recipe is on the patient resources page.
Here are a few suggestions for after the treatment
- Immediately after the treatment go for a 20-30 minute walk. No dog, no cell phone, no bag, preferentially in nature.
- Have a Float Tank Session immediately after, if doing this take the walk after the float. Here is a link to Better Being Float Center here in Indy
- Complete 3 days of a Kichadi fast (Recipe is under patient resources tab), gradually incorporating vegetable and fruit as the 3 days progress.
- In general avoid any strenuous or challenging activity for 1-2 days following the treatment. Then you can resume normal activity.
- Maintaining a regular habit of healthy physical activity and avoidance of excessive amounts of difficult to digest foods (red meat, fried food, ice cream, sweets, gluten) will help your body's healing.