Quick Tips To Help You Chose The Right Chiropractor
When it comes to your back, there’s nothing you want to leave to chance. Likewise, when it comes to the ongoing frustration of agonizing pain, in your back or elsewhere, there’s nothing you can afford to leave to chance. An injury that leaves long-lasting pain can really disrupt the rhythm of your life, making you ineffective at work and possibly taking you away from the normal activities of your life.
That’s way it’s extremely important to do your homework when you’re choosing a chiropractor. Many chiropractors are well-established, skilled practitioners who can really do a lot to help you, but just as many aren’t, and they can end up doing a lot more harm than good. Here’re a few quick tips to make sure you choose the right chiropractor.
Consider how they present themselves
Courteous, professional, informative, and well-facilitated. It doesn’t matter if they are part of a big team, but it does matter if they present themselves as knowledgeable, experienced, and interested in your health and not just in alleviating your symptoms.
Check references and customer testimonials
Most chiropractors, and physicians in general, that are worth their salt will have references and customer testimonials for you to peruse. If they don’t, it’s not necessarily a red-flag, but it’s not in your best interest to go on his or her word alone. Accreditations are standard, but customer testimonials can go the extra mile to help affirm your decision.
Ask for a recommendation from your chiropractor.
Before selecting your new pillow, talk to the person who understands the cause of your neck pain, your chiropractor. He or she will give you some valuable pointers on choosing the pillow that will be most beneficial. In my office we use a company called Pillowise. They have six different pillow sizes available and we measure to ensure a perfect fit for each patient.
Do your research.
Fire up the Internet and search for pillows by your sleeping position. Read the reviews from people who also have neck pain, and see which pillows helped them. Note the pillow name, price, and store that sells it.
What’s their educational background?
Becoming a chiropractic practitioner is as difficult endeavor requiring a doctorate level of education. Each chiropractic college teaches a standard curriculum, with variation of emphasis on each school. After chiropractic school, doctors are required to perform continuing education to stay current with new trends. Some may elect to go further and receive a diplomat specialty in fields such as nutrition, pediatrics, and orthopedics to name a few. This is typically a good sign that the doctor is active in their field, expanding their skill and knowledge base.
What is the patient’s treatment style/plan?
Chiropractic is unique in how varied each providers treatment style can be. The amount of time a provider spends to diagnose each patient can be significantly different, along with which modalities are utilized. Hopefully, the provider you choose to see has multiple methods to treat a patient. If every patient was given the same treatment plan and treated with the same modalities and adjustments, how individual can the treatment be? Ask your doctor the typical protocol they use, adjustment style, if x-rays are offered in office, and if rehab exercises are routinely given.
Also, and just as important, you should know what the treatment plan is before beginning care. The doctor should have a clear outlined plan to treat prior to starting a conservative care plan. Be wary if you go to an office every week, get the same treatment, and have no end of care in sight. Also question if no at-home recommendations have been given. Periodic re-evaluations should be part of a good treatment plan. If a well understood treatment objective is not gathered or stated, how can the patient/provider know when goals are met and treatment is ended? This piece of communication is often not clearly understood, and can lead to frustration.
Check the Facility Quality
Some chiropractors have affiliations with hospitals. This factor also comes to play as you should also check the quality of the hospital. Check for the hospital’s quality of care where the chiropractor is. A hospital with a great quality of care means better survival rates and fewer health complications. Another factor to consider is the location. You need a location that encourages timely care. Also, check if they also use private rooms in their clinic. Some chiropractors treat patients in rooms with multiple tables. If this doesn’t feel comfortable, ask about private rooms before agreeing. Is the hospital or clinic close by? Keep this in mind as well.
Evaluate Communication Style and Other Factors
As you look for a good chiropractor, choose one that you are comfortable talking with. You might want to check on how they respond to your question. Look for a practitioner who considers your treatment preferences and respects your decision-making process. This should aid you in getting a personalized form of treatment. Another consideration may also include gender. As there are differences in their treatment approach between men and women. When checking for their training and experience, consider looking into their experience with your condition and gender.
Take Note of Fees and Insurance Coverage
How much does a chiropractor charge? That’s one question that you might need to look into before agreeing to the treatment. Be sure to find out their service fees before proceeding with treatment. You don’t want to break the bank, after all. Always take time to see if their fee fits right into your budget. Among other things, also check if the treatment falls under your insurance coverage. Choose a chiropractor that participates in your insurance plan. If you are paying in cash, inquire about the cost per visit as well.
Do they offer free consultations?
While not a requirement, it’s considered good practice to offer free short consultations with would-be patients, particularly those who’ve never had chiropractic care before. This helps distinguish the better chiropractors, as well as gives you a chance to personally meet the doctor and draw your own conclusions.