Chiropractic care isn’t so much a way of treating illness, as it is a way to put your body in its best possible shape. But that you already know — it’s the reason you’re looking for the best doctor of chiropractic (or DC) near you, isn’t it? Well, we’ve compiled a few tips to make things easier for you. Here are 6 steps towards finding the best chiropractor.
1. Ask for Recommendations
There’s no better way to kick-start your search than to gather recommendations from your close acquaintances. If one of your friends or relatives has recently visited a chiropractor they rather liked, you will definitely want to check them out. Even if you don’t end up choosing that particular practitioner, it will still be a step in the right direction.
Also, be sure to ask for referrals from your primary care physician. Being part of a larger profession, your doctor might be able to offer some pretty valuable insights into local chiropractic practices. They could even suggest who might be best suited for your needs.
2. Check Credentials
Now that you’ve cultivated a list of referrals, it’s time to get to work and start narrowing down to the best care provider. There’s no overstating the importance of conducting background checks when looking for a DC (or any professional service for that matter). You want to ensure that that the providers you’ve been recommended are qualified and licensed to operate in your state before you make any commitments.
Start by checking their websites to see whether they’ve listed their credentials (professional training and certifications). Visit your state’s licensing board website to verify these details and check licensure. You’ll also find out whether any DC you’re considering has been flagged for unprofessional conduct or malpractice.
3. Hone In
As we pointed out earlier, choosing the best chiropractor is all about finding one who can adequately meet your care needs. You have to visit each practitioner’s website and find out which areas they specialize in. Are they well-versed in handling your specific condition or injury? Which particular procedures do they employ, and what’s the success rate? And for how long have they been practicing chiropractic in the first place? The more experience a provider has, the better the outcomes you’re likely to achieve with them.
Now, obviously, you cannot rely on the chiropractor’s own channels to offer the most objective answers here. It’s worth looking up reviews and see what others have to say about their services. Feedback from past patients will offer some pretty valuable insights, not just on the effectiveness of treatment, but also on the overall experience you can expect with a particular provider.
4. Factor in the Cost
While you’re still doing your research, it’s important that you take the cost of treatment into account. Find out how much each DC on your list charges for the services you need. Also, check whether the clinic participates in your insurance plan; ideally, you want to receive the most care for the lowest out-of-pocket cost.
With that in mind, you will want to ask your insurer for a breakdown of what aspects will and won’t be covered. Do the math and find out if you’ll be able to foot your end of the bill.
5. Gender Preference
This is yet another practical consideration you should keep in mind. You don’t necessarily have to pick a practitioner of your own gender — DCs are trained to care for patients of both sexes. Still, chiropractic employs a much more intimate approach compared to traditional therapy. So it only makes sense to choose a provider you know you will be comfortable with.
6. Schedule a Consultation
It’s safe to say that you will have just a few candidates left on your list at this point. That means you can now meet them in person and learn more about their techniques first-hand. Most chiropractors will be happy to offer a free consultation if you call ahead and make an appointment. It is in your best interest to take advantage of this opportunity.
Your first meeting will not provide enough time to ask all the questions running through your mind, obviously. But this checklist will help you cover all the crucial points:
• Ask whether they’ve handled cases like yours in the past (people with similar needs or conditions).
• Which procedures does the chiropractor think will improve your wellbeing, and why? Also, check if they offer additional treatments (acupuncture, massage therapy, counseling, etc.) that might be beneficial.
• What steps will they take to make treatment physically comfortable for you?
• How soon can you expect to see improvements?
Now, it’s worth pointing out that there’s no right or wrong answer to these questions. Rather, they’re meant to help you assess whether you can develop a good patient-doctor fit between the two of you.
A good chiropractor will first try to get a good glimpse of your condition before suggesting any treatments. They should provide satisfactory answers to your queries and respect your concerns. Most importantly, the chiropractor you choose should be able to develop a concrete treatment plan and be ready to refer you to another provider if you fail to make progress in a timely fashion.