Work injury
Work-related back, neck, shoulder and repetitive strain injuries are handled under California's workers' compensation system, where approved treatment is paid by the employer's insurer. The clinic provides assessment, treatment and the written documentation the claim requires, and can help with the correspondence.
Understanding the problem
How a work injury claim works in California
If you are hurt at work in California, treatment normally comes under workers' compensation rather than your own health insurance, and approved care is paid by your employer's insurer. The sequence matters: report the injury to your employer, complete the DWC-1 claim form, and keep a copy of everything. Treatment is then generally arranged through the insurer's medical provider network, though there are exceptions — for example if you predesignated a personal physician before the injury.
Repetitive strain cases are often the hardest to get recognised, because there is no single incident to point to. Careful documentation of onset, work tasks and functional limitation does most of the work in those claims.
What a first visit involves
How we work through it
We do not begin treatment on first meeting you. The assessment comes first.
- History — we listen firstWhere the pain is, when it started, what makes it worse, previous injuries, and your work and sleep posture. For accident or work injury cases, how the incident happened.
- Physical examinationPalpation, range of motion testing, and a neurological check of reflexes, strength and sensation — to work out whether the problem is structural, neurological or soft tissue.
- Digital X-ray if indicatedTaken on site. Whether it is needed is a clinical judgement, not a default for every patient.
- Findings and plan explainedIn the same visit you are told what was found, the likely cause, what is proposed and roughly how many visits it may take — before anything begins.
At the clinic
Treatment rooms and equipment
What may be used
Combined according to the assessment
Not every patient needs every item. What is used follows from what the examination shows.
- Chiropractic adjustment of affected segments
- Digital X-ray where clinically indicated
- Electrical stimulation and microcurrent
- Ultrasound therapy
- Therapeutic massage for soft-tissue involvement
- Spinal traction
- Rehabilitation exercise and return-to-work conditioning
- Workstation and lifting technique advice
- Written findings, progress notes and functional documentation for the claim file
Fees and insurance
Who usually pays for this
How treatment is funded changes what paperwork you need. Pick the closest to your situation:
Auto accident
The at-fault driver's liability cover, MedPay on your own policy, or on a lien where you are represented.
What you need →Work injury
California workers' compensation — approved treatment is paid by the employer's insurer.
How it works →Private insurance
What PPO plans typically cover, and deductibles.
How to check →Self-pay
Self-pay rates, including initial examination with digital X-ray.
See rates →Why here
A few objective points
1988 — 38 years
Same practitioner, same Oakland Chinatown block since 1988.
Cantonese · Mandarin · Taiwanese · English
From history-taking to explaining the plan, in the language you are most comfortable in.
Digital X-ray, same visit
Where imaging is clinically indicated it is taken here, not at a separate centre.
5 min from Lake Merritt BART
Madison professional building, downtown Oakland. Building and street parking.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay for treatment myself?
Generally no. Under California workers' compensation, approved treatment for an accepted work injury is paid by the employer's insurer, not by you. Whether a particular treatment is approved depends on the insurer and the network, which is why the paperwork matters.
Can I choose my own doctor?
It depends. If you predesignated a personal physician in writing before the injury, you can generally go to them. Otherwise treatment is usually arranged through the insurer's medical provider network. Bring whatever paperwork you have and we will help you work out where you stand.
What should I bring to the first visit?
Your employer's details, the date of injury, the claim number if one has been issued, and the DWC-1 form if you have it. If the claim is still being set up, come anyway — being assessed early helps the record.
My injury built up over time rather than from one incident
That is still potentially a work injury. Repetitive strain claims turn on documentation: when symptoms began, which tasks are involved, how function is affected, and how it has progressed. We record that carefully from the first visit.
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