Alicja Czaplinska, DC in Baltimore: Evidence-Based Chiropractic with Treatment Planning

Alicja Czaplinska operates a solo chiropractic practice in Baltimore that emphasizes diagnostic imaging and documented treatment progression, distinguishing it from high-volume adjustment-only clinics that dominate the region. Her approach centers on imaging-informed care and establishing specific recovery timelines rather than open-ended treatment plans.

What the practice actually is

Dr. Czaplinska's practice is a single-provider chiropractic office that treats spinal and musculoskeletal conditions in adults. The practice does not employ chiropractors beyond Czaplinska herself, meaning appointments are with her directly; there is no rotation between providers. The clinic focuses on cases involving documented structural findings, imaging interpretation, and cases where a clear beginning and end to care can be identified before treatment starts. This contrasts with many Baltimore chiropractors that market "wellness adjustments" or long-term maintenance plans with no defined endpoint.

Services and pricing

The practice's primary service is spinal manipulation and adjustment, paired with X-ray and sometimes advanced imaging to guide treatment. Dr. Czaplinska uses imaging to show patients what she is treating, not to sell extended care.

Pricing is per-visit, with a standard adjustment visit running $60 to $75. Initial consultations, which include a history and physical examination, cost $100 to $125. X-rays are ordered when clinically indicated and billed separately; a basic cervical or lumbar series typically costs $150 to $250, depending on number of views. This is lower than hospital-based imaging but reflects office-based radiography with standard interpretation.

Many Baltimore chiropractors bundle imaging into packages or membership plans that encourage frequent visits; Czaplinska prices visits individually. Verify current fees by calling directly, as insurance allowances and billing relationships can shift.

How it compares to other Baltimore chiropractors

Most chiropractic practices in Baltimore fall into two camps: high-volume wellness clinics (20 to 40 patients per day, 2 to 3 minute visits, ongoing "maintenance" care) and specialist-adjacent practices that take referrals from orthopedists or physical therapists. Czaplinska's practice is neither. She accepts walk-in or scheduled new patients, does not require referrals, and limits the number of patients per day to allow 15 to 20 minutes per appointment.

The closest comparable practice in the Baltimore area is Chiropractor practices affiliated with Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland Medical Systems, but those typically require a physician referral and operate as adjuncts to physical medicine. Czaplinska operates independently and accepts primary-care patients.

For workers' compensation or auto-injury cases, many Baltimore chiropractors automatically refer to attorneys or collude with injury law firms; Czaplinska does not market legal partnerships and focuses on clinical outcomes rather than claim management.

Who it suits and who it does not

This practice suits patients with acute or subacute spinal problems (neck pain after injury, lower-back strain, headaches linked to cervical dysfunction) who want a transparent endpoint to care. It also serves patients skeptical of extended treatment plans and those who value time spent during an appointment. Patients with insurance that covers chiropractic care at a reasonable copay (typically $25 to $40) will see the per-visit cost as manageable.

This practice does not suit patients seeking chronic pain management without any expectation of recovery, patients looking for "wellness" or "preventive" adjustments with no specific complaint, or those who want a bustling clinic environment with multiple providers and extended hours. It also does not suit patients without imaging findings who have had prior chiropractic care rule out structural problems; Czaplinska focuses on cases where imaging adds diagnostic clarity.

What the first visit involves

The first visit includes a detailed history of the complaint, physical examination, and usually standing X-rays to visualize the problem. Dr. Czaplinska shows patients the films and explains what she sees, then provides a treatment plan with a specific number of visits and timeline (for example, "6 visits over 3 weeks for acute cervical strain with no fracture or nerve compression"). Patients leave with an understanding of when to expect improvement and when to return for imaging or escalation.

Follow-up visits consist of adjustment, brief reassessment, and modification of the plan if progress is slower or faster than expected.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The practice is located in Baltimore and accepts most major insurance plans, though patients should confirm coverage before the first visit. Hours are Monday through Friday; call to confirm exact times and whether Saturday hours are offered, as small practices sometimes adjust seasonally. Street parking is available; the clinic does not operate its own lot.

Alicja Czaplinska fills a specific niche in Baltimore's chiropractic landscape: patients who want treatment with a clear clinical rationale and a defined end point stand out here, while those seeking a high-touch wellness experience or rapid-access clinic environment will find better fits elsewhere.