Chicago Spinal Care – Nova

I purchased a Groupon for a massage. My back has been very sore and numb after an activity last week. It took several days to schedule an appointment. They have their own line for Groupons. You’re asked to arrive early to complete paperwork. My massage therapist was Jason. Ask for him! He’s very nice and he worked out all the kinks in my achy, painful back. My only complaints are the overly talkative girls outside the rooms. The walls are thin. Regardless, my massage was divine. I felt relaxed and amazing afterwards. I hope to return soon!

I used to go here and had great experiences. The massage therapists were all pretty good and dr. Gaurd was friendly. I never really knew how effective the adjustments were but the pain always went away. I will NEVER BE going back after a couple weeks ago. There was a new doctor or student doctor, Kristin? I don’t know. So rude to me immediately. Usually I get adjusted after the massage but she decided I would get adjusted before the massage. I laid down on the bench like how I normally do for Dr guard and she immediately told me to go into all of these strange positions that were confusing and did not feel very good at all. Her only response to my confusion was «yeah I do things differently from Dr gaurd.» At this point I start getting a little scared. She then tells me she’s going to adjust my neck and tells me to relax my neck and her hands. I genuinely try to do what she says but she keeps telling me I’m not relaxed, and that she won’t proceed until I’m relaxed. Minutes go by. I’m trying to do as she says but she keeps telling me I’m not relaxed and that she won’t adjust me until I relax. There’s nothing that can keep you from relaxing more than someone YELLING AT YOU to relax. In the end she says she can’t adjust me because I won’t cooperate and in some weird last attempt to terrify me taps some wrench like tool on my arm. When I ask her what she’s doing, she says «I’m just showing you how it works.» I ran out of the room. Great way to treat people who are coming to you for help. Yes my back is tight which is why I went to a CHIROPRACTOR. Horrible place. Nobody should go there. Completely unprofessional and shady.

I have gone here on and off for years. I had some work related back problems initially but they got better and I am so happy I chose chiropractic care. Everyone is really friendly and knowledgeable and they always remember my name. Highly recommended!

I am about 7 months pregnant and was suffering from severe sciatic pain. I had a 60 minute pre-​natal massage where my lady focused on the problematic area. It was wonderful– my pain is still gone! My lady was an attentive listener and also talked me through stretches I could do at home.

Been going here for 3 years and everyone there is amazing. From the front desk, to the physical therapy aides, to the massage therapists to Dr. Gard– everyone is attentively concerned with your needs and is very knowledgeable. Recently they brought in a nurse practitioner to do more throughout exams as well as trigger points injections. Highly recommend. Have them check your insurance for you!

I just had the best massage ever. I feel rejuvenated. Such a great experience. Alina was professional, friendly, and so knowledgeable about her craft. I can’t say enough about how wonderful I think she is. She delivers true massage therapy and I highly recommend her. I also met Dr. Gard, a great fountain of knowledge and wonderful personality. I would definitely recommend Chicago Spinal care to my friends and family.

I had severe neck pain one morning when I woke up and I needed to see somebody quick! I found this Doctor on Unilocal,and they were able to get me in the same day. After 2 visits my pain was manageable. One week later my pain was gone. Now I am doing weekly adjustment management.
The staff is knowledgeable and the Doctor is very kind. If you have pain and need to see a chiropractor, come here!

Been coming to see Dr Gard and the great team here for close to a year now. great place to receive chiropactic and physical therapy services. Always friendly, professional and very qualified. I highly recommend this place!

Dr. Gard is great and really cares. I started going when I experienced an injury and since then Dr. Gard has helped me keep my body in shape for the sports I like to play. The staff is friendly and professional, and I would recommend highly.

I have never been here and stumbled upon the reviews through groupon. However, reading the reviews (negatives and positives) seeing all the responses from Dr. Andrew shows me that he cares. Regarding his patients, business, and replying through each negative experience people have had at his practice. Good job Dr. Andrew! It shows you went in to your field to help people. I will be giving you a try shortly.

I had a groupon for a massage and it was everything I hoped for. Vicktoryia (sp??) was amazing. She asked me about my trouble spot and was able to avoid my knee. It’s probably one of the best massages I’ve ever had.
I would give it a four star but the radio music from out in the main area was so loud that it was distracting in the room. When Vicktoriya asked me a question as we were walking to the room, I could barely hear her. That being said, I understand it is not a spa and there is other business going on but it’s just something to be aware of.

If you are contemplating buying the Groupon, Do it now!
I went today. I believe Victoria was my massage therapist’s name.
Disclaimer: You sign a form saying they do not accept gratuity. That is for the doctor’s, not massages. So you can and should tip.
I am a bit of my massage addict. I’ve done the 10 dollar massage at the nail salon, to the 3 hour massage at the Dana Spa and everything in between. I have had massages I’d rank from A to F.
This was a definite A. My only complaint is it was so wonderful that I was planning out my wonderful Unilocal I planned to write instead of enjoying my massage!
She used good pressure. She seemed to really know what she was doing. I mean for the Groupon price she could’ve rolled toy trucks on my back for an hour and I wouldn’t have complained, but she found everything that was sore without me telling her. She incorporated some stretching and techniques I’ve never experienced but liked a lot. After the massage she gave me a little diagram of areas she thought were of concern and suggested some yoga poses and stretches to help with chronic soreness.
The facility is brand new, spotless, and very nice all around. The only reason I reserved a 5 star review is the fact that you are in the middle of a busy chiropractic office. Therefore, it is a little noisy. I would’ve prefered a more calming atmosphere. I could hear outside conversations, music, etc.
All and all, very pleasing. Worth the Groupon price times 3. I highly recommend.

Alina gave a great massage! I used a groupon and was pleasantly surprised at the professionalism and cleanliness of the place.

I’ll admit I only went because I had a Groupon deal for a massage, and it is close to my home… but it was a fantastic decision. I almost feel bad for getting a deal. I’ve gotten massages before and I have to say this is in my top two favorites. Very knowledgeable, kind, relaxing, and professional. There will definitely be a next time!

I don’t usually go out of my way to review places on Unilocal,but Nova and Dr. Gard have been so great to me I had to toss a few words in here.
Both my fiancé (who threw out his lower back doing construction work) and me (who’s had a lifetime of back/​neck pain) have visited Nova and been treated great. The team is friendly and helpful, and the massages were great too (therapeutic massages, no spa massages here– if scented candles and a soft robe or something are what you’re looking for, go to a spa, but if like me you have a lifetime of back pain and your muscles need professional attention, it’s perfect). There was one masseuse in particular who used some Thai massage techniques (wish I could remember her name) that was especially effective.
Best of all, and I know this very much depends on circumstance and both my fiancé and I being a regular patient and all that, but they were so flexible with my monetary situation I thought I was dreaming. When I had insurance through my university they didn’t charge me a copay because I was a broke student, and the few times I’ve stopped in after losing my insurance after graduating they charged me nothing. Seriously, nothing.
Check them out!

I am very pleased with this place, considering it was my first time getting a massage. My masseuse was very knowledgeable and made me feel extremely comfortable and that’s like big if you never had a massage before. She explained everything that she was doing before she did it and explored at least 3 different types of techniques.
I really enjoyed my massage and the service was nice and friendly…

Amazing practice! No fluff. No sales pitches. Non-​pretentious. No brainwashing. Dr. Andrew is amazing, knows his stuff, is super accommodating, and has a fantastic team working for him.
I woke up with insane back pain and found Dr. Andrew from a Google search for a small business/​private practice that specialized in back pain. If my body can’t function, I can’t do my job, so I told him I was in desperate need of treatment ASAP. I was in so much pain that I walked into the office fighting back tears. (I’d like to think of myself as a tough-​cookie, but this pain was so unbearable that I could hardly walk.)
I have scoliosis and have been forever terrified of chiropractic adjustments. I mean, seriously, deathly, outrageously afraid of chiropractic adjustments. (Um…I do yoga. Can’t that fix everything?!) Dr. Andrew put me at ease, showed me my x-​rays, and explained why he felt an adjustment was truly necessary to fix my pain. His holistic approach made complete sense; I was even willing to forego fashion and wear a back brace for a few hours a day if it would help. Sure enough, after a few adjustments, stretching, muscle stim, lots of ice, and a phenomenal therapeutic massage with Laura (Lauren?), I’m as good as gold! The massage therapist was VERY knowledgeable and helpful, reminded me to channel my yoga-​breathing, and focused exactly where my pain was.
I may be a newbie, but I have definitely become a loyal patient of this practice and have already recruited a few friends to do the same. Thank you, Nova!!!

Good: The best Chiropractic care in Chicago!
Bad: None
Check them out, you will not receive a better sports/​clinical massage in the City!!! The best chiropractic staff in town!
You will not find a better team to work with!

I stopped by Nova Spinal care with my family about two years ago per a referral from a friend who went regularly, and was treated with the utmost care and attention! The BEST part was, they offered a great standard rate for poor, full time students like myself! This rate included a visit to Dr. Andrew and physical therapy work. The physical therapists also seemed to know exactly what they were doing as well (per the initial visit and interview).
After that initial visit I thought I had found my favorite, local chiropractor for my needs. They were personal, attentive, and offered great rates.
My problem: not taking advantage of them while they were still affordable! I mentally checked them off on my list as «my local chiropractor» and referred friends to see them when someone asked, but I never actually went back myself, figuring I would if I certainly go back if I ever needed to.
Fast forward to today. I threw my lower back out a few days ago (currently hobbling still!) and realized I should start budgeting for regular visits to Nova now. I made a call over to Nova and they couldn’t find me in their system. Not only that, but they said rates have increased to «starting at $ 50 a visit» — meaning it goes up from there!
I looked around for a coupon or deal to entice me back and I found a Groupon for a cheap massage and thought it might be a nice way to revisit this place and also measure the effectiveness of their massages. It’s a good thing I read the previous reviews because as soon as I asked about it they told me that I was not eligible to purchase that Groupon as I am not considered a «new customer.» I guess it makes sense as I stopped by once (a couple years ago)!
I politely asked to define what the «$ 50 and up» rate meant and was simply told that it all depends on what your situation is, what therapy you are given, and what machines you use. The mere visit alone is $ 50 but the treatments after the visits are all «extra» with no cap. Not only did this sound discouraging, but it didn’t help coming from a receptionist who didn’t seem like she cared who she was talking to.
Note: I DID receive a kind voice mail from a much «caring-​sounding» receptionist, but when I called back, she wasn’t available and instead got one who made it seem like I was wasting her time w/​my questions.
In summary: what used to be affordable, standard rates for a visit and therapy are now more expensive and ambiguous. If you don’t have lots of extra cash (or insurance that covers chiropractic work), I would keep hunting around as I have to do now… :(Dr. Gard is incredibly caring, personable, and helpful. I’m sad I can’t afford to visit anymore, but I’m glad for those who can! [Just be wary of the receptionist! :) ]

I wish I could even give a review based on a massage or treatment, but I’ve called trying to schedule an appointment for the last week. I have called almost everyday and have been told each time that they are not near the appointment book and to give them my name and number so they can call me right back. It is not my responsibility to keep trying to call when I haven’t received a call back when promised I would.
Maybe it’s because I mentioned I have a coupon from a deal site that I haven’t received any call back. Regardless, I have contacted that deal site to request my money back and I am posting here to forewarn others of the horrible customer service I’ve received (or lack of any customer service at all rather.)
Look at all the filtered reviews that seem to boost the rating of this place… Most of those seem fake as they only have done 1 review. Compare that to those who have done many reviews.
I am glad that the owner seems to look at his reviews because not calling people back after they’ve called almost everyday is ridiculous.