Sexton Chiropractic

Weight Loss Clinic in Des Moines, Iowa

Call (515) 287-39936221 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320

About Sexton Chiropractic

Sexton Chiropractic in Des Moines has built its weight loss work around a simple premise: the body works better when it's aligned, nourished, and functioning the way it should. The clinic pairs chiropractic adjustments with hands-on nutritional counseling, giving patients a grounded, practical path to weight loss that doesn't rely on gimmicks or extreme approaches.

The practice has been serving the Des Moines area for years and has developed a reputation for straightforward care. Patients here tend to appreciate the clinical approach, where the focus stays on what's actually driving their weight and health challenges rather than just handing out a meal plan. It's a good fit for people who want to understand what's going on with their body, not just follow instructions.

Services Offered

Sexton Chiropractic offers chiropractic adjustments, nutritional counseling, and structured weight loss programs. The chiropractic side of the practice covers spinal manipulation, postural correction, and care for musculoskeletal complaints that can interfere with staying active. Many weight loss patients come in with back pain or knee issues that make exercise painful or impossible, and addressing those first often unlocks the ability to move more and do more. The nutritional counseling is delivered by qualified staff who work with patients on building eating habits that are realistic and sustainable. They don't prescribe extreme diets. Instead, they focus on identifying what's not working in a patient's current habits and making practical adjustments. Food journaling, meal planning support, and macro education are all tools the team uses depending on the patient's needs. Weight loss programs at Sexton Chiropractic tie these services together with regular check-ins, progress tracking, and accountability. The programs are structured enough to provide real guidance but flexible enough to fit different schedules and lifestyles. Patients aren't expected to overhaul their entire lives overnight.

Chiropractors

Weight Loss Centers

Nutritionists

Treatment Options

Chiropractic Care for Weight Loss Patients

Regular spinal adjustments and postural work to reduce pain, improve mobility, and remove physical barriers that prevent patients from staying active during their weight loss program.

Ongoing, typically weekly for 8-12 weeks then as needed$55-$110 per visit with insurance; cash rates available

Clinical Nutritional Counseling

One-on-one sessions with a nutritional counselor to assess current eating habits, identify problem patterns, and build a realistic meal strategy tailored to weight loss goals.

6-10 sessions over 8-12 weeks$80-$150 per session

Integrated Chiropractic and Nutrition Weight Loss Program

A structured program that combines chiropractic care and nutritional counseling into a single coordinated plan with regular progress reviews and goal tracking.

12-16 weeks$500-$900 for full program packages

Maintenance and Accountability Program

Ongoing support for patients who've completed an initial program and want to maintain their results through periodic check-ins, adjustments, and nutritional touchpoints.

Monthly or as needed$100-$200 per month

What to Expect

New patients at Sexton Chiropractic start with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a health history review, a chiropractic assessment, and a discussion of current eating patterns and weight history. The goal is to get a full picture before recommending anything.

From that evaluation, the care team builds a personalized plan. For most weight loss patients, that plan includes chiropractic appointments to address any physical barriers, scheduled nutritional counseling sessions, and a program framework with clear milestones. Check-ins happen regularly, and the plan gets updated based on how things are progressing. The team is practical about adjustments. If something isn't working, they say so and change the approach rather than insisting patients push through a plan that isn't delivering results. Most patients start their program on a weekly visit schedule, then shift to less frequent check-ins once they're moving in the right direction.

Why Choose Sexton Chiropractic

Sexton Chiropractic is worth considering if you want weight loss support that takes your physical health seriously, not just your food choices. A lot of weight loss programs ignore the body entirely, focusing only on calories or carb counts. This clinic takes a different view. They look at whether pain is limiting you, whether your posture and alignment are affecting your energy, and whether there are nutritional patterns that are quietly working against you.

The nutritional counseling here is clinical, not generic. You're not getting a photocopy of a food pyramid. You're working with someone who's looking at your specific situation and helping you figure out what changes will actually matter for you. The combination of chiropractic and nutrition in one practice also makes coordination easier. Your care providers are talking to each other and working from the same picture of your health.

Insurance & Pricing

Chiropractic services at Sexton Chiropractic are often covered by major insurance plans, though coverage depends on your diagnosis and plan specifics. Nutritional counseling may be covered if referred by a physician or tied to a diagnosed condition. Weight loss program fees beyond standard clinical visits are usually a cash-pay service. The front desk staff can help you understand your coverage before you start. The clinic offers package pricing for some services, which can reduce the per-visit cost for patients committing to a longer program.

First-Time Patient Tips

Going into Sexton Chiropractic, it helps to think of this as a collaborative process. The more open you are about what you've tried, what's worked, and what hasn't, the better they can tailor the plan. Don't hold back details about pain, medications, or past health issues. All of that is relevant.

Expect the nutritional counseling to require some effort on your part between appointments. There's usually homework involved, whether that's food tracking, meal prep, or simply paying attention to your eating patterns. The chiropractic side is more passive, but regular attendance matters. Patients who come consistently and engage with the nutritional guidance see much better results than those who come in sporadically. The team is supportive and practical, but the program works best when patients show up ready to do their part.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Clinical nutrition counseling goes well beyond generic diet advice and is tailored to your specific situation.
Chiropractic care helps patients address pain that would otherwise block them from exercising.
Having nutrition and chiropractic under one roof means better coordinated, more consistent care.

Things to Consider

The program requires consistent effort from the patient between appointments, which doesn't suit everyone.
Nutritional counseling and weight loss program fees may not be fully covered by standard insurance plans.

Service Area

Sexton Chiropractic serves patients throughout Des Moines and the surrounding metro area. The clinic is accessible from central Des Moines as well as from neighborhoods on the north and east sides. Patients also come from nearby communities including Ankeny, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, and Polk City. The Des Moines location and parking availability make it a practical choice for patients driving in from the broader Polk County area.

Local Insight

Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a healthcare sector that's grown significantly over the past decade. Residents have access to a range of health services, and there's a solid culture of wellness in many neighborhoods. Sexton Chiropractic sits in a part of Des Moines where working professionals and families look for reliable, practical health care close to where they live and work. The clinic draws a mix of long-term Des Moines residents and newer arrivals who've relocated for work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to start the weight loss program?

No referral is required to begin the program. You can contact the clinic directly to schedule an initial evaluation. If you're working with a primary care doctor, the team is happy to coordinate, but it's not a requirement.

What makes the nutrition counseling here different from just getting a diet plan online?

The counseling is personalized based on your health history, current habits, and specific goals. It's a two-way conversation, not a handout. The nutritionist adjusts the approach based on what's actually working for you rather than following a fixed script.

Can chiropractic care really affect weight loss?

Directly, no. But indirectly, it can make a big difference. If back or joint pain is keeping you sedentary, fixing that issue removes a major barrier. Better nerve function and alignment can also support energy levels and sleep quality, both of which matter for weight management.

How often will I need to come in?

Most patients start on a weekly schedule for the first several weeks, then shift to every two weeks or monthly as they progress. The exact frequency depends on which services you're using and how quickly you're moving toward your goals.

Is this program safe if I have other health conditions?

The team reviews your full health history before recommending any program. For patients managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, the approach is adjusted accordingly and the clinic coordinates with your other providers.

What if I hit a plateau and stop losing weight?

Plateaus are normal and the team is experienced in working through them. They'll reassess your nutrition plan, look at activity levels, and consider whether any other factors might be in the way. The goal is to figure out what changed and adjust, not just wait it out.

Do you offer any support for emotional eating or food cravings?

The nutritional counseling addresses cravings and eating behaviors as part of the process. For patients with more significant emotional eating patterns, the team may also suggest working with a behavioral health provider alongside the program.

How do I know if this is the right clinic for me versus a standard weight loss center?

Sexton Chiropractic is a particularly good fit if you have physical pain limiting your activity, if you've tried standard diets without success, or if you want a provider who looks at your whole health picture. If you just need a basic meal plan and accountability, a standard center might be simpler.