Aligned Modern Health

Great staff and they were patient and flexible with schedules and ensured I was doing better! Highly recommend

I began going to Aligned this past summer 2015. I had a very tight psoas (quadriceps) muscle that was cause much tightness and sometimes pain in my hip and lower back. This made my daily and exercise activities difficult. With the first adjustment I felt relief and was able to sleep more comfortably that evening. I did physical therapy (PT) and adjustments weekly for a couple months. The condition cycled up and down initially and eventually dissipated.
I believe the ability of the doctor to correctly diagnose my problem, the therapist’s ability to provide PT exercises that I could do at home, and the regular adjustments help to alleviate my problems. The key is maintenance for which you, the patient, are responsible. What was a problem will come back if you don’t treat it. I’ve seen a chiropractor in the past for a problem that was not related to my bone health/​structure, but only came to that conclusion after a couple sessions. In other words, chiropractic care is not for every problem. However, because Aligned has massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutrition counseling onsite, in addition to PT, the doctors and therapists can usually get you down the right path.
My primary chiropractor was Dr. Alebiosu. He was consistently attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate. Similarly are the physical therapists. Their office manager, Angie, has been extremely helpful in handling insurance and responding to other payment related questions. Their office is clean, bright, and spacious. I highly recommend giving them a consideration when selecting your care.

I have to say, I was very scared going to a Chiropractor’s office for the first time. I had some serious back pain and didn’t know what to do. My very trusted friend Kristina had told me about the success she had with Dr. Ahrens so I decided to give it a try. I was literally in tears when I made the appointment I was in so much pain and I didn’t really think I would get any relief. I honestly couldn’t believe how much better I felt after my first adjustment! It ended up taking several months for a full recovery but it was well worth it. Dr. Ahrens and her staff taught me techniques to avoid future injuries as well as strength training. My insurance covered everything and I didn’t feel like they were making me a permanent patient – it was strictly business – here is the plan, when you reach this goal, you are released. Also, I appreciated that Dr. Ahrens took X-​rays right away and explained to me what was going on. I understand that chiropractic’s is truly a science and established medical field now and would strongly encourage anyone nervous about it to give Dr. Ahrens a try. She knows exactly what she is doing and runs a very professional operation. She and her team are compassionate and truly want to heal you.

Bottom line, the chiropractic adjustments I’ve gotten here have been above average to excellent. So if all you want is a good adjustment, and you don’t mind the other stuff, it’s a good option.
The issues for me were:
1. Every few months, the front desk staff would proudly introduce me to the «new» doctor and sort of mumble something about how the «old» one went to another location, went back to his/​her old practice, etc. I have been to several chiropractic practices over the years and have never seen turnover anything like this… all of them were good, excellent in many cases, but it was disappointing because me and the previous one had made some treatment plans or connected and then poof… and it made me suspicious.
2. The charges are very unclear, and in my case, were sometimes wrong. I have BCBS PPO which generally has a straight, affordable copay for adjustments. Usually I get a bill once a month from a medical office with details, but here, I’d be given random amounts that I had to pay before leaving with no explanation. Once I was billed $ 96 (after insurance) for one visit… it turned out that the stretches I was shown after my adjustment were some sort of extra «patient education» or something that had cost me $ 60. You know what… I was just being polite by sitting through that demo… I pretty much already knew I should be doing those things and take yoga regularly, and if I’d been asked if I wanted to invest in the lesson (much less $ 60) I would have declined. Make sure you get a detailed explanation of charges BEFORE you incur them.
I’ve also had several refunds/​credits after it turned out that my copay charges were way, way over what I ultimately owed. :/​
3. Why do they need so many receptionists? There’s hardly ever anybody there — I’ve maybe seen one other patient come or go, half the times I’ve been there. There is one person to make appointments and take payments, and usually another 1 – 2 just hanging out. Are my exorbitant copays going for the salaries of extra front desk staff? There’s often a longish wait, and it’s a tiny space, and it’s just awkward with all those people hanging around a few inches away.
4. The office is very, very open. I don’t mind, but if you like doors and full walls, this isn’t for you. (The massage room is private, though.)
5. It definitely has felt to me to have a young/​athletic/​child-​free/​glamorous vibe. It can be uncomfortable if you’re not one or more of those things.
So…although I wanted to love this like a previous reviewer said, and it’s super convenient to where I live/​commute, I ended up going to another chiropractic practice. It’s a hassle to get there, and actually the adjustments aren’t even as good, but overall I’m so much more comfortable with the way charges are handled, vibe, and office. Sigh.

Dr. Gemelas is a life saver. After years, we are talking 7+ of trying to figure out what was wrong with me I finally landed here and within a month we not only had a diagnosis but a treatment plan. Things have gotten better and like everything in life it’s going to take time but at least I know what’s wrong.
Also, let’s talk about Olivia! She is such a beautiful soul. I’ve always wanted to see a nutritionist but I was always hesitant. Olivia makes you excited about food, healthy food! She’s an amazing addition to Aligned and I couldn’t be happier with all the support she’s provided me.

I could not be any more impressed with Dr. Ahrens, Ryan, Libby & the entire team at Aligned! Besides being really caring and accommodating, most importantly, they’re effective. I just left my third appointment and I feel like a completely different person than I was just a few weeks ago. (Though, admittedly, I felt a difference after the first appointment.)
Some background on why I chose to go to Aligned: I had been dealing with weird headaches and symptoms for months — we’re talking wet, warm (sometimes burning) sensations in my head, overall «head fog», numbness in both of my arms, trouble gripping things. I’m 27, relatively healthy and not someone who has had many headaches in the past so this was very sudden and completely out of the ordinary. After a particularly bad headache, I went into the E.R. because I was thinking the worst. They ruled out anything serious, chalked it up to migraines and sent me home with extra strength Ibuprofen.
I never bought into the migraine theory. I have friends who have migraines and this was not as severe and episodic as that — moreso, a continuous, duller pain that was seriously cramping my way of life. Given that I had some tension in my shoulder and the numbness in the arms, I eventually concluded it might be something like a pinched nerve and started looking into chiropractors who might be able to help. Enter Aligned.
My initial exam showed that my neck was seriously out of whack, leaving my head floating too far forward; the bone structure around my eyes was somewhat out of place and contributing to my brain fogginess; and the tension in my neck was pinching nerves, resulting in the loss of feeling in my arms and the odd sensations in my head. Upon diagnosis, Dr. Ahrens & her team came up with a multi-​faceted game plan to get me back on track. After two weeks of p.t. exercises, electrotherapy, and neck & spine adjustments (which will change your life!), my pain has decreased TREMENDOUSLY. (Basically, I went from having it 6 – 7 days a week to maybe a couple hours one night a week.)
It hit me the other day as I was sitting on the Brown Line that I wasn’t experiencing these symptoms anymore … «Oh, THIS is what normal feels like??!» If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, I strongly encourage you to look into Aligned and rediscover your normal.

I started seeing Dr Ahrens and her wonderful staff about 2 weeks ago. Of course I read Unilocal reviews first before making my first appointment. Making the appointing was easy, did it all online and I received an automatic reply back confirming the time I had requested as open and available .
Tyler & Ryan are both fantastic and caring physical therapists, they really pay attention to your needs and ask if your comfortable and they are just so awesome .
I like how you do your physical therapy first then see Dr Ahrens for your alignment and adjustments, she makes you feel at ease and totally relaxed.
I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a skilled and caring chiropractor and supportive PT staff

Before you read any of my debilitating experience I want to point out that their staff have rated themselves 5 stars below– posing as unaffiliated patients. Don’t waste your time trusting this place.
I went to the Aligned in Lincoln Sq the first time in july of 2014 with some minor neck and hip pain. During my consultation I stated I am a diabetic and motioned to my insulin pump. I was quickly interrupted and told (not asked), «Type 2.» No I don’t have the type caused by advanced age or obesity… thanks for interrupting me with an insult. Then not more than 2 minutes after explaining to the «Dr.» that no, I have genetic Type 1 from the age of 4– she interrupted me again with, «and how long have you had Type 2?» Are you kidding me? Interrupting– AND showing they are not listening. So I decided to not go back.
But in early March of this year my hip and neck were really tender and this place was just a block away from me in Lincoln Sq. I decided to give them another chance.
They massaged and cracked my neck and pushed my hip into their mechanical bed thing– nothing really felt better just numb from being handled. As I was about to leave the same «Dr.» as before mentioned my knee looked out of track and she wanted to tape it. I wasn’t told this, but I assumed it could help my sore hip somehow. She pulled my left knee cap over to the right and taped it down. It felt weird and I left there walking like a fool. That night my knee felt a little sore and kept popping but I didn’t think much of it. A week later we did the same thing, but that night my knee was really sore so I iced it. A week later I show up with my now swollen and numb knee and have to be treated (and pay) to help move the swelling. My knee that week becomes so bad that I’m limping and looking at inanimate objects to use as possible crutches.
My next visit she has me waddle across Lincoln Square to a pharmacy to spend $ 39 on a compression sleeve. The swelling it so bad that I lost feeling in my toes (A1c 6.3– not related to diabetes at all). I get the sleeve and it helped stabilize my leg, but didn’t help with the swelling or pain. Our appointments are becoming more and more centered around fixing the knee THEY hurt. Then one painfully sleepless night I was done. I went in on time and they purposefully slated me after everyone (other customers were asking, «isn’t it her turn?») After an hour of sitting away from the front entry, they suggested the knee must be infected because of the swelling. This was just the confirmation of incompetence I needed to get out of there. I’m a type **1** diabetic– if there was the BEGINNING of an infection my blood sugars would have shown it. I went to my primary Doctor at RUSH and she asked why I didn’t come in sooner and scoffed at what this company’s staff did and suggested.
My Doctor ordered I see a specialist right then and there and ordered an MRI. She contacted 2 orthopedic sugeons at RUSH, but both were unavailable so she contacted a rheumatologist– who was available. I was wheeled across RUSH in a wheelchair. The rheumatologist took out 55 CCs (1.86 ounces) of clear lymph (tested– no infection or crystals). I felt pretty good after, better than I had in weeks. But after not even 24 hours I was back to being swollen and in immense pain. I made an appointment to see the rhumetologist again a week later. This time I had not slept again the night before because of pain and arrived in tears. She was aiming to remove more fluid just like the week before and my MRI was at the end of the week so she wanted to go over some things with me. However this time when she simply pierced my skin with the needle I felt pain in every fiber of my being a let out a blood-​curdling cry. She pulled the needle out and ordered me to the ER.
I arrived in the ER and gave my story over and over– then was asked why I went to a chiropractor, «don’t you know they’re all snake oil salesmen?» I now knew.
I have now had to endure an extremely painful surgery and still recovering. I have already had months of physical therapy and many more ahead of me because of this place.
Don’t trust these people with your body. Go to real doctors.

I’ve been battling aches and pains for years but because of my past history of being an athlete and dancer, I just learned to deal with the pain. When the pain became too much, I gave in to seeking chiropractic care. Dr. Staci, Ryan, Tyler, Libby and Mark are such a fantastic team. It feels like a personal training studio with rehabilitative benefits. Cannot recommend this Lincoln Square team enough!

I have been seeing Dr. Ahrens and the Aligned Modern health team for about a year now. Dr. Ahrens has made a huge difference following a car accident and my first 40-​hours-​a-​week-​sitting-​at-​a-​computer job. The whole team is upbeat and far beyond competent. They make getting better fun!
I am go grateful for Dr. Ahrens, Libby, Tyler, Ryan, and everyone else at Aligned Modern Health. They are the best chiropractic-​rehab team I’ve ever worked with. I couldn’t recommend them more highly!

I’m so very thankful to have been referred to see Dr Ahrens by my midwife. From 16 weeks into my pregnancy I’d been having sudden and severe sciatica pain on my left side to the point of limping. After 4 – 5 weeks of treatment and exercise with Dr Ahrens and her team my pain is gone. I walked in to Aligned as a chiro-​skeptic, having seen only one chiropractor previously and finding the experience to be very clinical and unhelpful. The personal, customized programs at Aligned are a game changer. Your treatment is truly tailored to you and having exercises accompany alignment makes all the sense in the world. I’ve not yet been officially released from care and I continue to practice the exercises I learned to prevent further injury, but I am 100% thrilled with my experience.

My back and neck had been causing me a great deal of pain for months, and after one month of treatment, I was feeling good again! After two months, I am feeling no pain! Dr. Ahrens and her staff make you feel welcome and fully supported during each and every visit. It is truly a healing environment where you know your best interests and health are a priority.

First time visit today. Libby and Ryan at front desk were great. High energy and very informative employees. The doctor was great and she really listened to what my needs we’re and not just to treat like a typical adjustment. I’m looking forward to working with them in the future. Ryan made experience fun and comical relief going in pain and making everyone laugh and enjoy their visit. Must visit when in area. It’s not in my area and well worth going to outside of neighborhood.

I had a nagging pain in my IT band for weeks. After my Starbucks end of the week treat, I saw a serendipitous sandwich sign outside of Aligned Modern Health with a drawing of an IT band. I went in to ask if they accepted my insurance, and score I have zero co-​pays.
Fast forward to 5 weeks later, I’ve never felt better. The pain is virtually gone. Dr. Ahrens and her team (Tyler, Ryan, and Libby) are absolutely awesome with a capitol A. They specially formulate a plan to not only adjust you with chiropractics, they also include an exercise plan to strengthen the muscles to keep you «aligned» (pun intended).
Everyone at Aligned are sweet, fun, and a caring group. I look forward to my visits with them.

I’ve been going to Dr Arhens and her team since my thirteenth week of pregnancy and I’m 37 weeks now. They are amazing! They take good care of you and setting up appointments/​changing appointments and billing/​insurance is no hassle at all. They really care about their patients’ experience, not just in the treatment process but as customers too. I would highly recommend this place to anyone, but especially for pregnant ladies who are looking for prenatal chiropractor.

This review is long overdue, but I have been dismissed from care after 3 amazing months working with this brilliant staff, and I don’t want to slight it.
I went to Aligned Modern Health in desperate need of a remedy for my discomfort. I had a very tight and mangled back from being overweight all my life, various knee problems and a crack addiction (as in, I was obsessed with cracking my back and knew it was doing nothing good for me.) When massages stopped having effect I knew I had to do something.
I was skeptical of chiro care, being shammed in the past, but really didn’t know where else to turn. I Google searched «best chiro in Chicago» and all these wonderful and extremely correct five star reviews of AMH came up! So, having some extra unexpected money to try to solve this problem with, I went for it. Let me tell you, this was the BEST $ 1500 or so I have ever spent and I am grateful to have stumbled upon such an amazing chiropractic doctor and staff.
I did this for relief of unbearable constant discomfort (tightening in back) and to improve my singing and posture. What I got was so much more than that. I since have started playing the violin after 20 years as well, something I probably would not have been able to do in my condition prior. I could barely stand for fifteen minutes without pain, not to mention hold a posture. I am thrilled to be playing violin again and have days where I don’t put it down. I am an aspiring music therapist, and this has become my therapy!
I am so incredibly grateful for not getting my life back, but for getting A LIFE. Not only have I returned to an instrument I love, but I also now finally, after 34 years know what it feels like to enjoy exercise and walking! I never expected that this venture would help and even cause me to lose weight, stretch and work out to a point where it gives me a buzz. I cannot even believe I now know what that feels like, I have always wanted to. I walk three times the speed I used to and finally understand why people prefer to walk over taking transit! ha!
I absolutely LOVE the physical training routine AHM has given me and it has inspired me to want to train harder as I build up resistance on my exercises. Working out has become one of my greatest and most loved hobbies/​activities! Four months ago, I was not even capable of walking one block without pain!
Dr. Ahrens is absolutely amazing at her craft. I never felt overly «cracked» but consistently felt my back becoming more and more aligned as a result of her skill. Her knowledge of human anatomy is a second nature, it is apparent with her every touch. Her extensive knowledge of sports medicine, general wellness and exercise training is apparent in her advice. Many of her techniques don’t seem to follow the typical «crack and go» reputation chiropractors can have. You can literally feel her putting things where they belong and not just crack crack twist crack like my «doctor» years ago. She is also really fun, funny and kind, It was great to work with someone who made everything so comfortable and informative. After working with her, I am so much more understanding of the human structure and what wares our body down.
The physical therapy staff is fun, hilarious and extremely supportive. It isn’t easy to have your first experience with many exercises in front of and with complete strangers, and they made it comfortable every step of the way. I looked forward to my appointments and this really great inspiring and healthy environment. I am going to miss seeing this staff (and Libby, the awesome receptionist too!) on the regular!
I have lost 80 pounds in the past year, but since I have been going to AMH, some people don’t even recognize me. I am the smallest, healthiest and most in shape I have ever been in my life. My clothes sizes go down on a weekly basis; all as a result of me seeking out the best chiropractic care and having the staff walk me through my greatest lifestyle change yet.
This was absolutely the best decision I have ever made in my life. The benefits reaped have far exceeded my expectations and have changed the quality of my life tremendously. Do not pass up the opportunity to work with such an amazing staff in getting healthy and fit. I would give them ten stars if I could.

I love the staff at Aligned Modern Health’s Lincoln Square location! Everyone is friendly and genuine. I truly appreciate how they know my name and care. I also love their holistic approach to treatment. Not only is there chiropractic care, but physical therapy to strengthen the correct muscles for long-​term healing.
I started seeing them after I could not longer deal with my back and neck pain. I had also suffered from nerve pain and tingling in my hands for years, which I had thought was carpal tunnel. Several chiropractors had written off my hand pain and made no attempt to fix it.
After a full set of x-​rays the doctors made it clear they would do everything to fix my neck, back, and hand pain. I feel like a new person after my three months of treatment! My hand pain is gone and my neck/​back pain is at a minimum. They challenge me during physical therapy and I feel so much better!
I sprained my ankle two days ago and the office fit me in immediately the next day. They worked quickly to decrease the swelling and pain. After following their care tips I can tell I am healing much quicker than if I had dealt with it on my own.
Dr. Ahrens, Megan, Ryan, Mark, and Libby are wonderful and I don’t want to go anywhere else for treatment.

TWO-​PART REVIEW! That’s how much I love these people.
** Part 1: Chiropractic Care **
Chiropractors really freaked me out for the first 30 years of my life. But I can say with confidence that the folks at Aligned Modern Health have changed my life.
After suffering a traumatic piano injury (read: no idea how my pain started) in early high school, I’ve had back pain for years and years that gradually migrated up my back into my shoulders and neck. When it finally became too much to bear, I sought out Dr. Ahrens magical full-​body chiropractic power.
We started with a set of X-​rays to determine the source of my agony, and upon discovering a wacky curvature in my neck and spine, she set about the job of correcting it.
The standard traction bed, zappy pads and back-​cracking adjustments aside, the team at Aligned is focused on full-​body health and actually addressing the issues at hand, instead of the in-​and-​out designed to keep you a patient for life. After adjustments, sometimes I’ll get a little bit of massage, do some stretches on the yoga mats, and work with light weights, resistance bands and the balance ball.
My pain level is practically nil at this point, and I’ve tapered back to one visit a week. Hoo. Ray.
** Part 2: Functional Nutrition **
Oh, but this is the big one.
Yes, I had some neck and back pain, but it was nothing compared to the nuclear warfare being waged in my gut. After finding such immense relief in Aligned’s chiropractic care, a consultation with Dr. Hehmeyer, the functional nutrition specialist, was the next logical step.
After a quick 15-​minute meeting, she knew she’d be able to help. I returned a week later for two blood tests: a full medical panel, plus one for food sensitivity that tested close to 100 different ingredients.
Long story short: My blood tests were tragically conclusive, and if I didn’t want to be doomed to a gassy life plagued by constant cardiac risk, something had to change. What changed was my entire diet. I cut out gluten, dairy, simple carbs, caffeine and (gulp) alcohol, and added in more supplements than I ever knew existed.
Being the try anything twice sort, I bought into everything she recommended 100 percent, waited until I got home to cry, and have never looked back. I’ve lost 12 pounds in the past five weeks, feel better and have more energy than ever, and have already cleared up a lot of the gut issues I’d been having.
I’M A NEW WOMAN THANKS TO ALIGNED!
I’ve become very close with the staff at Aligned, too — beyond the everyday client/​service provider relationship. I genuinely feel like they care about my life beyond the four walls of the office, and these days, after an appointment, I find it hard to leave because I want to stay and keep chatting.
Honestly, though? If you’re on the fence, just give them a call. A 15-​minute consultation puts no pressure on you to move forward, but it may seriously open your eyes.

I’ve seen three chiropractors (Zimmerman, Kasten, and now Ahrens) at Lincoln Square/​Park and they are all wonderful! The office staff is extremely welcoming and responsive and I kind of wish I could just hang out there all day. Actually, sometimes I do. Lastly, shout out to Mark, Megan, Phil, Libby, Ryan and everyone else for all of their help!

A few weeks ago, I felt a twinge in my lower back — uncomfortable, but not terrible. Then I decided to work out.
The next morning I could barely get out of my bed, and once I did, found walking to be such a challenge that I called into my office to say I had to work from home. I realized I had to do something about this pain as soon as possible and narrowed my options down to two choices: 1) Urgent Care, 2) Chiropractor. I was always suspect of Chiropractics, though I’m not entirely sure why, but I was also not too crazy about going to an Urgent Care facility and probably leaving with nothing more than a fistful of wonderful little pills that would make me feel better, but probably wouldn’t actually fix anything.
How does one solve such a quandary? Why, one checks their insurance benefits, of course! A visit to Urgent Care would result in a $ 100 copay, the Chiropractor would be a $ 30 copay. Looks like I’ll be exploring the exciting world of chiropractics!
I then went immediately to Unilocal to find a chiropractor and the reviews made it clear the only real choice was Aligned Modern Health. I pulled up their site and sent an email requesting the soonest possible appointment. I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email back well before their office opened for the day offering up a couple of different appointment options (the email was great not only because it offered me hope for some relief, but also because they responded to my email via email — it’s amazing how many places, in 2012, respond to email requests via phone — if I wanted to talk, I’d have called you… curmudgeonly rant over).
So when the time came, I hobbled on out to my car and headed down to Lincoln Square, filled with blinding pain and crippling optimism… or maybe it was the other way around? Anyway, I showed up and was greeted by the incredibly friendly and helpful Andrew, who, after I finished my requisite paperwork, gave me a tour of their attractive and welcoming facility (this seems like a good time to note that they have the best music of any doctor’s office I have ever visited — Andrew gave the credit to Pandora… so humble, they are).
While the doctor finished with her current patient, I was able to take in this amazing bed-​type thing that makes any massage chair you ever sat in at a Brookstone weep with envy, then had my lower back hooked up to some electric current and ice, which sounds mid evil (except the electric part), but was actually quite enjoyable. After this, I was introduced to Dr. Ford. I described the pain, explained that I had no idea what caused it, had my posture checked (actually quite good — thanks, grandma!), and snapped a few x-​rays right there in the office. The doctor snap-​crackle-​and-​popped me across the back and neck and then Andrew set me up for my next few appointments.
What really struck me here is that Andrew took the time to explain that if what they’re doing doesn’t work after a few appointments, they’ll send me somewhere else. He also addressed the idea that many people have of chiropractors just trying to bleed your insurance — he insists they don’t practice such shenanigans and so far I have no reason to doubt that.
I have since returned probably a half-​dozen times, each time experiencing the same welcoming atmosphere and feel just about perfect now. Andrew and Dr. Ford are always friendly and eager to help. I’ve also been lucky enough to have prescribed deep-​tissue massage every-​other appointment or so with Teresa, who seems to know exactly how to keep the massage just shy of blindingly painful — I have never left that massage room without feeling better.
Aligned is a great one-​stop shop for your chiro needs — everything you need is on-​site. I have a friend from High School who is now a Chiropractor in the St. Louis area and he certainly doesn’t have access to all of this in his office — he has to send people all sorts of places for their therapeutic massages, or x-​rays, or just about anything that isn’t an exam or adjustment.
I am so happy to recommend Aligned, in fact, that I dusted off my Unilocal account after THREE YEARS of review dormancy. If you’re looking for a chiropractor, go to Aligned; you won’t be disappointed.