Regardless of how many times someone hears from their friends and co-workers how much Chiropractic helped them, some people are still skeptical. Finding the right Chiropractor is unique in that you are a unique individual with unique circumstances.
Finding the right Chiropractor is like finding the right shoe. One size does not fit all. Although there are some excellent Chiropractors that do a terrific job there are some things to consider.
One of the most important things about finding the right Chiropractor is that even though you may have already been to one before and did not have a good experience or outcome, don’t shut yourself out from finding the right Chiropractor.
Chiropractic is the largest natural healthcare system in the world. I have seen many patients that had been seen by other Chiropractors and switched for a number of reasons. People change for a variety of reasons. Probably the two most common ones I hear is, “It is too far from where I live” and “He/she did not really address my issues”.
Those that feel that their issues were not addressed knew that Chiropractic worked but realized they picked the wrong doctor. Doctor’s of Chiropractic are human too. They suffer from burnout, insurance nightmares, employee problems and the list goes on. That is not an excuse but if you are in a situation where you don’t feel like you are being listened too or feel like you’re just another number maybe it’s time you start looking for a new Chiropractor.
There are a variety of sub-specialties that Chiropractors can get certified in. Radiology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Sports Injuries, Spinal Trauma and Orthopedics are some.
Some Chiropractors have excellent people skills and some don’t. Some excel in treating certain health problems like disc herniations and others excel in nutritional counseling. Some are excellent at spinal adjusting, some are too rough and some are afraid to hurt you so they are too gentle.
In fact they are so gentle that many times the results are poor. Some are really good at taking your money. Some are excellent at what they do and don’t charge close to what that visit is worth. It is difficult finding one that excels in many areas. Sometimes the best way to find a good Chiropractor is to ask family and friends whom they go see.
If they don’t have a Chiropractor then you need to do some homework. You may need to visit several Chiropractors and ask specific questions before you find someone that you are compatible with. You need to search for one who has success treating your kind of problem.
Try not to let your insurance restrict whom you see because they are not “in network.” Sometimes it is better to go with the Chiropractor that several people have recommended, even if he/she is not in your network and you have to pay out of pocket. It is much better to go to someone where you get results even if it means you have to pay more or drive farther.
It would, of course, be ideal to find someone “in network” that is excellent and that insurance covers, which is why you are paying for health insurance in the first place. Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating. I have heard plenty of situations where insurance companies limit the amount of chiropractic visits or simply deny coverage.
Hollywood producer Michael Moore’s movie SICKO documents many similar stories. There are also many books about our failing healthcare system and insurance companies if you are not a fan of Michael Moore. Denzel Washington starred in the movie John Q precisely about how his insurance company was denying his son a heart transplant.
Chiropractic continues to grow and gain popularity despite the trend to limit insurance coverage. People are also sick and tired of going to their doctors and just keep getting more pills. My practice continues to grow because of this. I have treated hundreds of patients after they had many trials of prescription drugs, injections and surgery only to have the pain return. I have also seen many patients who have been to other Chiropractors who did not meet their patients needs.
Most people will respond wonderfully to good Chiropractic care. In my practice I use many different physical therapy modalities. I use therapeutic magnets, inversion therapy (hanging upside down), stretching,different types of massage and much more. I also teach my patients on what they should and should not do. Self care is a vital part of rehabiltating an injury.
In looking for a Chiropractor, you should ask questions like, “Do you have an area that you specialize in?” Or “What types of patients do you like to treat most?” Another good question to ask is, “Have you taken any post graduate specialty training?”
But as the saying goes, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. The doctor might have many diplomas and certificates proudly displayed but is a terrible people person or too rough/too gentle when it comes to adjusting and treating the spine.
Another Chiropractor may not have many certificates or awards but be excellent at treating patients. You really need to ask family, friends and co-workers and ask them a lot of questions. Ask the details like what to expect. Does he or she explain things well or are they in a hurry? Was he/she gentle or too rough? Did he/she use an instrument to adjust your spine? Did he/she ask what you were looking to get out of the visit? Did he/she try to sell you a lengthy treatment plan? Not that lengthy treatment plans are all bad but is that what you are looking for when you are in pain and want pain relief as fast as possible?
There are other things to consider when looking for the right Chiropractor but these are the most vital things to begin with. The important thing is to have a good Chiropractor as part of your healthcare team of professionals. As I have been saying for many years “You don’t know what you are missing until you know what you’ve been missing.”
Finding the right Chiropractor is like finding the right shoe. One size does not fit all. Although there are some excellent Chiropractors that do a terrific job there are some things to consider.
One of the most important things about finding the right Chiropractor is that even though you may have already been to one before and did not have a good experience or outcome, don’t shut yourself out from finding the right Chiropractor.
Chiropractic is the largest natural healthcare system in the world. I have seen many patients that had been seen by other Chiropractors and switched for a number of reasons. People change for a variety of reasons. Probably the two most common ones I hear is, “It is too far from where I live” and “He/she did not really address my issues”.
Those that feel that their issues were not addressed knew that Chiropractic worked but realized they picked the wrong doctor. Doctor’s of Chiropractic are human too. They suffer from burnout, insurance nightmares, employee problems and the list goes on. That is not an excuse but if you are in a situation where you don’t feel like you are being listened too or feel like you’re just another number maybe it’s time you start looking for a new Chiropractor.
There are a variety of sub-specialties that Chiropractors can get certified in. Radiology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Sports Injuries, Spinal Trauma and Orthopedics are some.
Some Chiropractors have excellent people skills and some don’t. Some excel in treating certain health problems like disc herniations and others excel in nutritional counseling. Some are excellent at spinal adjusting, some are too rough and some are afraid to hurt you so they are too gentle.
In fact they are so gentle that many times the results are poor. Some are really good at taking your money. Some are excellent at what they do and don’t charge close to what that visit is worth. It is difficult finding one that excels in many areas. Sometimes the best way to find a good Chiropractor is to ask family and friends whom they go see.
If they don’t have a Chiropractor then you need to do some homework. You may need to visit several Chiropractors and ask specific questions before you find someone that you are compatible with. You need to search for one who has success treating your kind of problem.
Try not to let your insurance restrict whom you see because they are not “in network.” Sometimes it is better to go with the Chiropractor that several people have recommended, even if he/she is not in your network and you have to pay out of pocket. It is much better to go to someone where you get results even if it means you have to pay more or drive farther.
It would, of course, be ideal to find someone “in network” that is excellent and that insurance covers, which is why you are paying for health insurance in the first place. Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating. I have heard plenty of situations where insurance companies limit the amount of chiropractic visits or simply deny coverage.
Hollywood producer Michael Moore’s movie SICKO documents many similar stories. There are also many books about our failing healthcare system and insurance companies if you are not a fan of Michael Moore. Denzel Washington starred in the movie John Q precisely about how his insurance company was denying his son a heart transplant.
Chiropractic continues to grow and gain popularity despite the trend to limit insurance coverage. People are also sick and tired of going to their doctors and just keep getting more pills. My practice continues to grow because of this. I have treated hundreds of patients after they had many trials of prescription drugs, injections and surgery only to have the pain return. I have also seen many patients who have been to other Chiropractors who did not meet their patients needs.
Most people will respond wonderfully to good Chiropractic care. In my practice I use many different physical therapy modalities. I use therapeutic magnets, inversion therapy (hanging upside down), stretching,different types of massage and much more. I also teach my patients on what they should and should not do. Self care is a vital part of rehabiltating an injury.
In looking for a Chiropractor, you should ask questions like, “Do you have an area that you specialize in?” Or “What types of patients do you like to treat most?” Another good question to ask is, “Have you taken any post graduate specialty training?”
But as the saying goes, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. The doctor might have many diplomas and certificates proudly displayed but is a terrible people person or too rough/too gentle when it comes to adjusting and treating the spine.
Another Chiropractor may not have many certificates or awards but be excellent at treating patients. You really need to ask family, friends and co-workers and ask them a lot of questions. Ask the details like what to expect. Does he or she explain things well or are they in a hurry? Was he/she gentle or too rough? Did he/she use an instrument to adjust your spine? Did he/she ask what you were looking to get out of the visit? Did he/she try to sell you a lengthy treatment plan? Not that lengthy treatment plans are all bad but is that what you are looking for when you are in pain and want pain relief as fast as possible?
There are other things to consider when looking for the right Chiropractor but these are the most vital things to begin with. The important thing is to have a good Chiropractor as part of your healthcare team of professionals. As I have been saying for many years “You don’t know what you are missing until you know what you’ve been missing.”
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