What should I look for when choosing
a chiropractor?
—Tannerie Woods, PA
Answer: Choosing a chiropractor may, at first, seem bewildering.
But the task can be simplified by using a series of steps to narrow down the
candidates.
Try to
get a referral. Friends, neighbors, family, and especially your primary
medical doctor may recommend a chiropractor.
Check
if any of the recommended chiropractors are covered by your insurance
plan. If you receive a strong recommendation for someone not on that list,
you might consider out of network benefits or even private payment.
Do a
quality check for credentials by accessing your state licensing board's
website to confirm qualifications and any possible disciplinary action.
Research
the condition(s) for which you are seeking treatment. There are any number
of credible websites and library resources offering information on
conditions like back pain, sciatica, herinated discs, and other musculoskeletal
conditions commonly treated by chiropractors.
I would suggest avoiding individual practice websites for this. Instead,
focus on credible, independent sources of information. Afterwards, jot
down a list of questions for your chiropractor to answer
about your condition.
Visit
the practice website. Many chiropractors have websites, and these can be
informative. Are they patient-oriented? Are they consistent with the
scientific evidence you have learned about your condition?
Read your doctor's resume. Don't pay a lot of attention to marketing
tools, such as testimonials. Look instead to confirm that the doctor:
Treats
musculoskeletal conditions only
Requires
x-rays only when medically necessary
Does
not emphasize proprietary supplement sales
Does
not encourage long treatment regimens or excessive visits
Does
not make scientifically unsupported claims about the value of wellness
adjustments or preventive care
A quick glance in the phone book may provide additional screening information.
But remember: not having a website or phone book ad is no reflection of a
chiropractor's qualifications, nor does the size of such an ad reflect
qualifications.
Finally,
you may want to make a few phone calls, perhaps starting with the chiropractic office closest to you. Ask about appointment availability, insurance
coverage, hours, etc. This is to see if you are treated with patience,
courtesy and respect by the doctor's office.At
this point, you will likely have one or only a few candidates. Here are some
tips to look for in your initial and subsequent encounters with the
chiropractor:
Does
your chiropractor give sufficient time to you the first visit and on every
subsequent visit?
Does he
or she appear eager to help you get better as quickly as possible and to
empower you to take care of yourself in the future?
Do you
feel comfortable with your new chiropractor?
Are you
getting better as a result of the treatments and not just the mere passage
of time? (When effective treatment is given, most patients will see a
significant improvement within the first several weeks of care, and
sometimes even sooner.)
Is
treatment physically comfortable? (Occasionally there may be some minor
treatment soreness or even increase in symptoms after a treatment. This
should not last more than a day or so, and improvement should be obvious
with further care. If this happens, be sure to let your chiropractor
know.)
The
following may be warning signs:
Unnecessary
repeat x-ray studies
Months
of endless care without re-examination
No improvement
or even worsening does not result in re-examination or referral elsewhere
Pre-sold
treatment "packages"
Pressure
to sign up for or attend maintenance or preventive care programs.
Most
importantly, your new chiropractor should be willing to refer you to another
healthcare provider if chiropractic treatment is not producing positive results
in a timely fashion.
Posted
on: 12/09/09 | Updated on: 03/11/10
Mitchell
F. Miglis, DCDoctor
of Chiropractic
Back
and Neck Care Center
Melbourne,
FL
