Chiropractic treatment is an excellent way to get to the root of your issues and obtain natural, non-invasive care. However, there are some chiropractors that give the entire field a bad name. Some chiropractors claim that chiropractic care can do things that it can’t, try to pressure you into long treatment plans you don’t need, and don’t listen to or treat your concerns. As such, it can be difficult to know how to choose a chiropractor.
Fortunately, there are a plethora of excellent chiropractors out there who truly care about their patients. When you know what to look for, it makes choosing a chiropractor easier. Here are some of our top tips on how to choose a chiropractor so that you can rest assured that you’re receiving the best care possible.
#1. Are They Licensed?
A trustworthy chiropractor is one who is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. Like any other medical field, chiropractors need to undergo years of schooling after obtaining their undergraduate degree in order to learn the necessary skills, training, and experience to provide proper care to their patients.
You can check to see whether or not a chiropractor is licensed by looking on state websites and Healthgrades.com. When you choose a chiropractor, you’ll also want to check to see whether or not they have malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.
#2. How Experienced Are They?
Now, this is not to say that chiropractors who are younger cannot provide you with the care that you need. However, it is important that they are experienced in treating the type of condition that you’re seeking treatment for. They should know about any complications, how to help you recover and prevent this issue from occurring again, and the treatment methods available to you.
When you choose a chiropractor, see whether or not they are experienced enough to help you.
#3. Can You Get Recommendations?
This goes beyond the testimonials on their website and the reviews you can find on Google. It’s easy for people to fake glowing 5-star reviews. Many primary care providers, physical therapists, and specialists work with chiropractors and can recommend chiropractors who can provide you with the treatment that you need.
However, not all healthcare professionals work with chiropractors. In the event that your doctor can’t give you a recommendation, you can ask the people you know. When you collect recommendations, though, it’s important to recognize that different people have different preferences for their care and that chiropractors may be better at treating some issues than others.
When you choose a chiropractor, remember that a chiropractor who is wonderful for your family member may not be the one who is best suited to your needs.
#4. Obtain A Consultation
You need to be able to trust your chiropractor. You also need to ensure that your communication styles mesh well together. A chiropractor could be excellent, but if you don’t communicate well, this can cause you to feel uncomfortable about seeing them.
When you choose a chiropractor, there are some things to keep in mind. Your chiropractor should listen to you and take the time to ask questions about your condition and your concerns. They should be able to give you informative answers to any questions that you may have.
They should be able to give you an estimate of how long your treatment plan will be – if they tell you that you’ll need to see them forever, you should seek out another chiropractor.
#5. Are They Covered By Your Insurance?
It’s important to note with this point that not all insurance plans cover chiropractic care. You’ll want to first check with your insurance to see whether or not chiropractic treatment is covered or whether you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for it. If your insurance does cover chiropractic care, you’ll then want to see what chiropractors are in-network.
Some chiropractors provide financing options. If paying for chiropractor care would be a financial burden for you, you can ask to see whether or not this is an option. Some chiropractors also provide discounts for people who need to pay for their care out-of-pocket. This can be important when you choose a chiropractor, depending on your situation.
#6. Is The Chiropractor Committed To Your Recovery?
Your chiropractor should conduct a physical examination and give you an estimate of how long your treatment will take. They should also re-examine you to see how you are progressing. They should order an x-ray, but not unnecessary repeat x-rays. You should notice improvement over the course of your treatments.
Importantly, your chiropractor should refer you to another healthcare provider if they think that another treatment would help you more. Also, they should not pressure you into maintainence or preventative packages.
When you choose a chiropractor, you need one who cares deeply about you and helping you get better. The goal of treatment should be to help you not need chiropractic care anymore, not to keep you getting treatments forever.
Do You Need A Chiropractor?
Ogden Chiropractic is here to help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you on the road to recovery so that you can get back to your life.