Are you looking for alternative forms of health and wellness that improve your life? Consider adding chiropractic service to your care plan. A chiropractor is an ally that can help rebuild and repair the health of your spine, your joints, and your muscles. If you suffer from aches and pains, excess stress and anxiety, fatigue, or chronic pain, it will benefit you to secure chiropractic services as part of a return to wellness.
So how do you choose the right chiropractor for you? With the evolution of the internet, it may seem easier than ever before to find the right person for the job, but more knowledge doesn’t always make decision making easier. Here are some solid strategies you can employ for finding the right chiropractor for you:
1. Get referrals from other people
Asking for referrals from your family physician, friends, and family members will significantly narrow your list of options and provide a personal experience with people that you know and trust. Do a little research into each referral and find out what their credentials are, follow up with phone calls to see if they are taking new patients, and make initial appointments with a few to get a feel for how they run their offices. The more information you can get at an initial appointment, the more likely it is that you will be able to make an informed decision prior to care.
2. Research…really research credentials
Qualified licensure is the most important thing to consider when choosing a chiropractor. Confirming their participation in a qualified program that teaches the necessary skills and competencies to practice will ensure that you are getting quality care. Make sure that they have no marks on their record with respect to malpractice or injury lawsuits; while there are two sides to every story, any information that points to care issues should be taken seriously. Looking on state chiropractic websites and Healthgrades.com will help you to determine who is a good fit for you.
3. Consider the level of experience you will need
Experience does breed mastery—-working with the musculoskeletal system and spine requires delicacy, power, and precision. An experienced chiropractor will have enough hours under their belt to deliver consistent care, while someone who is just starting out might not be so precise in treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask about the level of experience that a chiropractor has, and what specialty areas, if any, they have to help you with treatment. Go with your gut—if you feel you need more experience than look for someone who can handle your needs. Your health is at stake here.
4. Consider a chiropractor’s gender
You’ll want to be able to discuss your health issues honestly and openly with your chiropractor; if you feel you cannot do this with a doctor of the opposite gender, then search for someone that you know you’ll be able to feel comfortable with. Ask about their level of training in dealing with issues that are gender-specific, and what additional certifications they have specific to these issues.
5. Evaluate the type of communication style you need
Finding someone that you can communicate well with, someone that understands your questions and is able to give you the information that you need will be invaluable as you look for ways to better treat yourself and improve your health. To be heard, valued and respected as part of the patient care process will reduce any insecurities that you may have about care and allow both doctor and patient to co-create a care plan that works for you.
6. Review recent patient satisfaction surveys
Who doesn’t read product reviews these days? Similarly, patient satisfaction forms and online patient review pages are set up so people can share experiences that they feel will help others in their decision-making process. Read through reviews of chiropractors that you are considering receiving care from, and choose one that you would feel comfortable working with based on the level of patient satisfaction they provide to others.
7. Find out what your insurance covers
There is no point in looking at a chiropractor for care if they are not covered by your insurance. If paying out of pocket is not in the cards for you, you’ll have to do some investigation into what your insurance plan will cover, and what portion of care you will be responsible for paying. Call your insurance provider, ask questions of chiropractors, and see who will be a good fit for you.
With all of these factors to consider, it might seem overwhelming to embark on the path to health through chiropractic care. Rest assured, it is one of the most comprehensive and beneficial things you can do for your mobility, your flexibility, and your health. Here’s to your healthiest and best life! Call us today at 205-637-1363.
