To Find a Chiropractor is Harder Than you Might Think

So you think that you need a chiropractor?  Wow, good luck that is a huge undertaking as there are plenty of them out there and the way that they practice can create a kaleidoscope of possibilities.  Wouldn’t it be great if you had a sort of primer on what to look for when you took to the internet and picked up that phone?  Well, read on for a few suggestions.

In a recent article by Dr. Mercola on Mercola.com Wellness Chiropractic – Benefits Beyond Pain, Dr. Billy DeMoss was interviewed on what chiropractic is, its place in health care and what a person should look for in their doctor.  It is important to understand first off that while your back, neck or head may hurt; if you find a good doctor they are going to acknowledge that and then look beyond it.  Dr. Billy makes a good point in that while a lot of people will show up in a chiropractor’s office for pain, the reality is that [ttshare]chiropractic is so much more than a aspirin[/ttshare].  In reality chiropractic aims to relieve nerve interference from the spinal column so that you can have all of the nerve flow to all your body parts.  This is done by evaluating for mis-alignments in the spine and releasing them through the chiropractic adjustment.  Wow, so your body gets healthier and functions better all the while you get the by-product of less pain!!!!  That sounds like a good deal.

Here are some recommendations from to look for to make sure you get connected with the right doctor:

• • Ask your friends for a recommendation. A friend who knows both you and the chiropractor may be able to judge whether your health philosophies and personalities are compatible.
  • Meet the doctor. Many chiropractors will agree to a no-cost consultation to determine whether you are a good match. To make this visit as productive as possible, here are a few things to consider:
    1. Does the practice focus on vertebral subluxation and wellness? Physical, biochemical, and psychological stress may result in spinal subluxations that disrupt nerve function and compromise your health. If you’re looking for a wellness chiropractor, it’s essential that this be the focus.
    2. Does the doctor “walk the talk”? If he or she is overweight, looks unhealthy, or does not live a healthy lifestyle, this speaks volumes regarding their commitment to wellness.
    3. Do the two of you “click”? Do you like each other? Do you communicate well? Avoid a doctor who seems rushed, talks down to you, or seems disinterested in listening to your concerns.
    4. Does the doctor use objective assessments of nerve function? Since your care is not based just on addressing pain, your chiropractor should be using some form of objective assessment of your nerve function, as spinal subluxations can sometimes be asymptomatic.

• • What treatment techniques are used? Chiropractic techniques include low-force adjustments by hand, and more forceful adjustments using instruments. Ask which technique would be used on you, and if you have a preference, make sure the doctor is willing to use it.

There are a few other things to consider here as well.  I have heard people more and more ask about what technique I use.  This is usually coming from a place of hesitation from what others have said to them.  So it is important to know what is going to happen and what you are getting into.  In our office we use a variety of techniques and our policy on what we do is simple.  The technique we use has to get results and the patient has to be comfortable with it.  Otherwise, one final factor here is something that is discussed in the article but not on the list. What are your responsibilities outside of the office?  This is an often times neglected piece in your healthcare.  In order to be successful in raising your health or keeping it where you want it, you will have to invest some time, effort and energy.  There is no doctor who can do that for you.  You want to make sure that your doctor is going to provide you with enough “homework” to put you in the driver’s seat.  Otherwise, you are turning the reigns over.

While everybody will need a chiropractor, not every chiropractor is a good fit for every person.  With the primer in hand now you can judge a whole lot better for yourself if you are going to the right place. Contact us today.