Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about Ascend Sports Chiropractic.
General/Getting Started
Do I have to be an athlete to come to Ascend Sports Chiropractic?
No. While Ascend Sports Chiropractic is built around an athlete-focused approach, you do not have to be a professional, collegiate, or competitive athlete to benefit from care. If you want to move better, recover from pain, stay active, or improve how your body performs, you are a good fit. We work with athletes, active adults, weekend warriors, golfers, runners, lifters, youth athletes, and people who simply want a more complete approach than a quick adjustment.
Do I have to be an athlete to come to Ascend Sports Chiropractic?
No. While Ascend Sports Chiropractic is built around an athlete-focused approach, you do not have to be a professional, collegiate, or competitive athlete to benefit from care. If you want to move better, recover from pain, stay active, or improve how your body performs, you are a good fit. We work with athletes, active adults, weekend warriors, golfers, runners, lifters, youth athletes, and people who simply want a more complete approach than a quick adjustment.
What makes Ascend different from a typical chiropractic office?
Ascend Sports Chiropractic focuses on more than temporary pain relief. The goal is to understand why the problem is happening, improve how your body moves, and build a plan that supports long-term function. Our approach combines sports chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, movement assessment, corrective exercise, and biomechanics-based reasoning. The goal is not just to help you feel better. It is to help you move better, recover faster, and perform with more confidence.
What makes Ascend different from a typical chiropractic office?
Ascend Sports Chiropractic focuses on more than temporary pain relief. The goal is to understand why the problem is happening, improve how your body moves, and build a plan that supports long-term function. Our approach combines sports chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, movement assessment, corrective exercise, and biomechanics-based reasoning. The goal is not just to help you feel better. It is to help you move better, recover faster, and perform with more confidence.
What types of conditions do you treat?
We commonly work with muscle, joint, tendon, nerve, and movement-related issues, including back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle and foot pain, sports injuries, running-related pain, golf-related pain, throwing and rotational sport issues, mobility restrictions, overuse injuries, sprains and strains, tendon irritation, and movement limitations after injury. If your issue involves pain, stiffness, performance limitation, or difficulty moving the way you want, we can help determine whether our approach is appropriate for you.
What types of conditions do you treat?
We commonly work with muscle, joint, tendon, nerve, and movement-related issues, including back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle and foot pain, sports injuries, running-related pain, golf-related pain, throwing and rotational sport issues, mobility restrictions, overuse injuries, sprains and strains, tendon irritation, and movement limitations after injury. If your issue involves pain, stiffness, performance limitation, or difficulty moving the way you want, we can help determine whether our approach is appropriate for you.
What if I am not sure whether Ascend is the right fit?
Reach out and ask. If your issue is something we can help with, we will let you know. If your situation would be better handled by another type of provider, we will point you in the right direction.
What if I am not sure whether Ascend is the right fit?
Reach out and ask. If your issue is something we can help with, we will let you know. If your situation would be better handled by another type of provider, we will point you in the right direction.
Do you treat youth athletes?
Yes. Youth athletes can benefit from a sports-focused assessment when dealing with pain, recurring injuries, mobility limitations, growth-related stress, or difficulty returning to sport. Care is tailored to the athlete’s age, sport, training load, and developmental stage. The goal is to help young athletes recover safely, move well, and build better long-term habits.
Do you treat youth athletes?
Yes. Youth athletes can benefit from a sports-focused assessment when dealing with pain, recurring injuries, mobility limitations, growth-related stress, or difficulty returning to sport. Care is tailored to the athlete’s age, sport, training load, and developmental stage. The goal is to help young athletes recover safely, move well, and build better long-term habits.
Your First Visit
What happens during the first visit?
Your first visit typically includes a conversation about your symptoms, injury history, goals, sport or activity demands, and what you have already tried. From there, we assess movement, joint function, soft tissue restrictions, strength, control, and the likely drivers of your problem. Treatment is based on what we find. Depending on your case, care may include chiropractic treatment, Active Release Techniques®, mobility work, corrective exercise, movement coaching, and a plan for what to do outside the office.
What happens during the first visit?
Your first visit typically includes a conversation about your symptoms, injury history, goals, sport or activity demands, and what you have already tried. From there, we assess movement, joint function, soft tissue restrictions, strength, control, and the likely drivers of your problem. Treatment is based on what we find. Depending on your case, care may include chiropractic treatment, Active Release Techniques®, mobility work, corrective exercise, movement coaching, and a plan for what to do outside the office.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows you to move. Shorts, leggings, joggers, t-shirts, and athletic tops are usually best. Because we may assess movement, mobility, and sport-specific patterns, clothing that allows access to the involved area is helpful. For example, shorts are ideal for hip, knee, ankle, or running-related issues.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows you to move. Shorts, leggings, joggers, t-shirts, and athletic tops are usually best. Because we may assess movement, mobility, and sport-specific patterns, clothing that allows access to the involved area is helpful. For example, shorts are ideal for hip, knee, ankle, or running-related issues.
How many visits will I need?
That depends on your condition, how long it has been present, your goals, and how your body responds to care. Some people improve quickly, while others need a longer plan to address more complex or chronic issues. The goal is not to keep you coming forever. The goal is to help you understand the problem, improve it, and give you a plan to stay active with more confidence.
How many visits will I need?
That depends on your condition, how long it has been present, your goals, and how your body responds to care. Some people improve quickly, while others need a longer plan to address more complex or chronic issues. The goal is not to keep you coming forever. The goal is to help you understand the problem, improve it, and give you a plan to stay active with more confidence.
Will I get exercises to do at home?
In most cases, yes. Treatment is more effective when the work in the office is supported by the right work outside the office. Your home plan may include mobility drills, activation exercises, strength work, movement cues, recovery strategies, or sport-specific recommendations. The plan is based on your specific needs, not a generic template.
Will I get exercises to do at home?
In most cases, yes. Treatment is more effective when the work in the office is supported by the right work outside the office. Your home plan may include mobility drills, activation exercises, strength work, movement cues, recovery strategies, or sport-specific recommendations. The plan is based on your specific needs, not a generic template.
Can I ask medical questions through the contact form?
The contact form is best for general questions, scheduling questions, and basic inquiries. It should not be used for urgent medical concerns, detailed health information, or requests for clinical advice. If you have a clinical concern, it is best to schedule an appointment or contact the office directly.
Can I ask medical questions through the contact form?
The contact form is best for general questions, scheduling questions, and basic inquiries. It should not be used for urgent medical concerns, detailed health information, or requests for clinical advice. If you have a clinical concern, it is best to schedule an appointment or contact the office directly.
Treatments & Techniques
Do you only do adjustments?
No. Adjustments, or joint manipulations, may be part of care when appropriate, but they are not the entire plan. Ascend’s approach may include joint treatment, Active Release Techniques®, soft tissue therapy, mobility work, movement assessment, corrective exercises, sport-specific guidance, and return-to-activity planning. The goal is to match the treatment to your body, your injury, and your goals.
Do you only do adjustments?
No. Adjustments, or joint manipulations, may be part of care when appropriate, but they are not the entire plan. Ascend’s approach may include joint treatment, Active Release Techniques®, soft tissue therapy, mobility work, movement assessment, corrective exercises, sport-specific guidance, and return-to-activity planning. The goal is to match the treatment to your body, your injury, and your goals.
What is sports chiropractic?
Sports chiropractic is a specialized approach to musculoskeletal care focused on injury treatment, injury prevention, movement quality, and performance. It is commonly used by athletes and active individuals who want to recover from pain, improve mobility, and return to activity with confidence. At Ascend, sports chiropractic care is personalized to your sport, training style, movement patterns, and goals. Dr. Merritt is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner® (CCSP®), reflecting advanced training specific to athletic populations.
What is sports chiropractic?
Sports chiropractic is a specialized approach to musculoskeletal care focused on injury treatment, injury prevention, movement quality, and performance. It is commonly used by athletes and active individuals who want to recover from pain, improve mobility, and return to activity with confidence. At Ascend, sports chiropractic care is personalized to your sport, training style, movement patterns, and goals. Dr. Merritt is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner® (CCSP®), reflecting advanced training specific to athletic populations.
What is Active Release Techniques®, or ART®?
Active Release Techniques®, often called ART®, is a hands-on soft tissue technique used to address muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, and nerve-related restrictions. It combines precise pressure with guided movement to help improve tissue mobility, reduce discomfort, and restore normal function. ART® can be especially helpful for overuse injuries, muscle tightness, nerve irritation, and movement restrictions that limit performance. Dr. Merritt is a full-body certified ART® practitioner and part of the ART® Elite Provider Network, which reflects an advanced level of training and clinical experience with the technique.
What is Active Release Techniques®, or ART®?
Active Release Techniques®, often called ART®, is a hands-on soft tissue technique used to address muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, and nerve-related restrictions. It combines precise pressure with guided movement to help improve tissue mobility, reduce discomfort, and restore normal function. ART® can be especially helpful for overuse injuries, muscle tightness, nerve irritation, and movement restrictions that limit performance. Dr. Merritt is a full-body certified ART® practitioner and part of the ART® Elite Provider Network, which reflects an advanced level of training and clinical experience with the technique.
What is a movement screen?
A movement screen is an assessment designed to identify mobility limitations, stability deficits, control issues, and movement patterns that may contribute to pain or performance problems. Rather than only looking at where you hurt, we look at how your body moves as a system. This helps us identify the underlying factors that may be driving your symptoms or limiting your performance.
What is a movement screen?
A movement screen is an assessment designed to identify mobility limitations, stability deficits, control issues, and movement patterns that may contribute to pain or performance problems. Rather than only looking at where you hurt, we look at how your body moves as a system. This helps us identify the underlying factors that may be driving your symptoms or limiting your performance.
Can you help with reducing injury risk?
Yes. Reducing risk of injury is a major part of sports chiropractic care. Many injuries are influenced by mobility restrictions, strength deficits, poor load tolerance, movement inefficiencies, recovery issues, or training demands that exceed what the body can currently handle. Our goal is to identify risk factors early, address the underlying movement limitations, and help you build a more resilient body for your sport or activity.
Can you help with reducing injury risk?
Yes. Reducing risk of injury is a major part of sports chiropractic care. Many injuries are influenced by mobility restrictions, strength deficits, poor load tolerance, movement inefficiencies, recovery issues, or training demands that exceed what the body can currently handle. Our goal is to identify risk factors early, address the underlying movement limitations, and help you build a more resilient body for your sport or activity.
Can you help me improve performance?
Yes, when performance is being limited by pain, mobility restrictions, inefficient movement, poor control, or unresolved injury history. Performance care at Ascend focuses on helping your body move more efficiently, tolerate load better, and express strength and power with less restriction. We do not replace your coach, trainer, or strength program. We help your body function better so you can get more out of those things. Our goal is to identify risk factors early, address the underlying movement limitations, and help you build a more resilient body for your sport or activity.
Can you help me improve performance?
Yes, when performance is being limited by pain, mobility restrictions, inefficient movement, poor control, or unresolved injury history. Performance care at Ascend focuses on helping your body move more efficiently, tolerate load better, and express strength and power with less restriction. We do not replace your coach, trainer, or strength program. We help your body function better so you can get more out of those things. Our goal is to identify risk factors early, address the underlying movement limitations, and help you build a more resilient body for your sport or activity.
Golf / TPI Movement Screening
Do you offer golf-specific assessments?
Yes. Ascend offers golf-focused movement assessment using a biomechanics-first approach. The goal is to understand how your body’s mobility, stability, and movement control may be affecting your swing, comfort, and performance. This can be useful for golfers dealing with back pain, hip restriction, shoulder limitations, loss of rotation, inconsistency, or difficulty generating power efficiently.
Do you offer golf-specific assessments?
Yes. Ascend offers golf-focused movement assessment using a biomechanics-first approach. The goal is to understand how your body’s mobility, stability, and movement control may be affecting your swing, comfort, and performance. This can be useful for golfers dealing with back pain, hip restriction, shoulder limitations, loss of rotation, inconsistency, or difficulty generating power efficiently.
What is a TPI screen?
A TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) screen is a golf-specific physical assessment used to identify mobility, stability, and movement limitations that may affect your swing. It helps connect what your body can physically do with how you move during the golf swing. The screen does not replace swing coaching. Instead, it helps clarify whether a physical limitation may be contributing to swing compensation, pain, inconsistency, or loss of power. Dr. Merritt holds a Level 2-Medical certification from TPI, which focuses on the medical and biomechanical side of golf performance and injury.
What is a TPI screen?
A TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) screen is a golf-specific physical assessment used to identify mobility, stability, and movement limitations that may affect your swing. It helps connect what your body can physically do with how you move during the golf swing. The screen does not replace swing coaching. Instead, it helps clarify whether a physical limitation may be contributing to swing compensation, pain, inconsistency, or loss of power. Dr. Merritt holds a Level 2-Medical certification from TPI, which focuses on the medical and biomechanical side of golf performance and injury.
Do I need to be a competitive golfer to get screened?
No. The screening is built for golfers of any level, from beginners to competitive players, with the goal of improving how efficiently and safely you move through your swing.
Do I need to be a competitive golfer to get screened?
No. The screening is built for golfers of any level, from beginners to competitive players, with the goal of improving how efficiently and safely you move through your swing.
Can golf screening help with an existing injury, not just performance?
Yes. Movement limitations that show up in a golf screen are often the same compensations contributing to pain (golfer's elbow, back pain, shoulder issues), so the screen is useful both for performance optimization and injury-related cases.
Can golf screening help with an existing injury, not just performance?
Yes. Movement limitations that show up in a golf screen are often the same compensations contributing to pain (golfer's elbow, back pain, shoulder issues), so the screen is useful both for performance optimization and injury-related cases.
Can you work with my golf coach or trainer?
Yes. When helpful, we can coordinate with your golf coach, trainer, or other provider so everyone is working from the same information. Our role is to help identify and address the physical limitations that may be affecting your swing, comfort, or performance.
Can you work with my golf coach or trainer?
Yes. When helpful, we can coordinate with your golf coach, trainer, or other provider so everyone is working from the same information. Our role is to help identify and address the physical limitations that may be affecting your swing, comfort, or performance.
Scheduling, Location & Communication
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule online through the booking link on the website, or you can contact the office directly.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule online through the booking link on the website, or you can contact the office directly.
Is online booking available?
Yes. Online booking is available through the Book Here link on the website.
Is online booking available?
Yes. Online booking is available through the Book Here link on the website.
Where is Ascend Sports Chiropractic located?
Ascend Sports Chiropractic is located in the Norcross / Peachtree Corners area. 3150 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Suite 108 Norcross, GA 30071
Where is Ascend Sports Chiropractic located?
Ascend Sports Chiropractic is located in the Norcross / Peachtree Corners area. 3150 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Suite 108 Norcross, GA 30071
Can I text the office?
Yes. You can call or text Ascend Sports Chiropractic at 404-341-6396. For medical emergencies, do not text or use the website contact form. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Can I text the office?
Yes. You can call or text Ascend Sports Chiropractic at 404-341-6396. For medical emergencies, do not text or use the website contact form. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Still have questions?
Shoot us a message! We are more than happy to help!
Reach out, and our team will guide you.
