Medicine Natural :: Your Body Needs Alignment - How to Choose a
Chiropractor ::
Most of us
don’t know how to find a good chiropractor. Generally, when we are looking for
a doctor, we just open up the yellow pages and let our fingers do the walking.
Sometimes, we may ask our friends, family or co-workers for a recommendation,
but face it, what works for them may not work for you. Finding a good
chiropractor can be a very difficult decision, because this is a profession
with an unusually wide variety of techniques and philosophies. Here are some
tips on how to find a competent chiropractor best suited for you as an
individual.
Do a phone
interview. Take time out to interview your prospective chiropractor. If the
doctor is not available when you call, then arrange a time when you can speak
to the doctor. Take note of the doctors communication skills, he should be
comfortable to speak with and eager to answer your questions. You may want to
ask:
- What the doctor’s feelings are about
how chiropractics differ from other health professions?
- What does the doctor see as his
responsibility when performing a competent diagnosis?
- How does the doctor feel about
referring patients to other specialists?
- What kind of techniques does this
doctor offer?
- What kind of experiences has he had
with other patients with similar conditions to you?
- What are the doctor’s fees or does the
doctor take your insurance, or in case you have an HMO, do you need a
referral?
- What is doctor’s location and what are
his hours of operation?
Avoid a
chiropractor who:
- Considers his profession as being
opposed to the medical profession.
- Denies responsibility to diagnose and
refer patients in a good manner.
- Tries to sell you on his “miracle
cures” or any other technique that only he knows how to do or has learned
in some “school of thought.”
- Insists you have x-rays done as a
routine or requirement, or insist on having an EMG scan or other expensive
test that is often not necessary.
- Uses scare tactics or if he sounds
like he’s making a sales pitch on you.
- Has a dirty, littered or foul smell in
his office.
- Cold calls you to announce their
presence in your area and tries to make you a free appointment.
All depending
on the seriousness or extremity of your condition, you may need to see the
chiropractor several times before your condition can be relieved. This is a
good reason to choose a chiropractor that works within a reasonable driving
distance with hours that suit your schedule. It’s important to have a
chiropractor that you can rely on to get into fairly quickly without having to
wait a month or so to get in.
On your first
visit to the office, what is your general impression? Any doctor’s office
should have a clean and professional appearance. The office staff should be
able to treat you with the courtesy, respect and professionalism that are
expected of a medical establishment. Many offices require you to fill out forms
about your general medical history and the problem that brought you to them for
the doctor to review with you during a private interview. You should be able to
discuss your problem in detail, followed by having vital signs taken, and a
number of other neurological and orthopedic tests. You should also have an
analysis of your musculoskeletal system functions and structure, to determine
if your problem is within the scope of chiropractics. If the doctor insists that other laboratory
tests are necessary, ask why. He should be able to provide a clear and concise
explanation that makes sense and that is easy for you to understand. The doctor
should be able to explain your problem, treatment options and customize a
treatment plan that you are able to understand. If he is unable to do this,
then he is not the right doctor for you.
The length of
treatment varies with each individual. Although your condition may resemble
your best friends, it does not mean you will heal as quickly as she did.
Everyone’s musculoskeletal system is different and responds differently to
treatment. This is why it’s important to do your own research and interviews
before settling with a chiropractor. Never let anyone pressure you into seeing
a particular doctor.
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