IS YOUR CHIROPRACTOR JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED?

By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

You are so done with medications and don’t want to join the 70 percent of Americans who are on some form of prescription meds. The medications are treating the symptoms from your injury (Back, Neck, or other), but the problem still exists, along with the pain. 

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Something is painfully wrong when the real issue is not being addressed. There must be a better approach to your health and well-being. 

You’ve heard of chiropractic care but don’t have full knowledge of all that is involved. How do you choose the best chiropractor?

GET A RECOMMENDATION

Make certain they understand you are seeking a professional who shares your philosophy of health and healing. Ask candid questions about the doctor, the fees, the staff, the services offered, availability and waiting times. Someone who knows you and the doctor well will most likely have the insight as to whether you and the chiropractor would be a good fit.

MEET THE DC

Check to see when you can meet the chiropractor for an initial interview. Many chiropractors will meet you for an initial consultation in order to examine you and have a discussion regarding your condition. Make productive use of this visit because the relationship you will have with the doctor could be one that lasts a lifetime.

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Do you sense the doctor is honest and confident? Good chiropractors will be confident in their successes with other patients and be able to tell you how they treated other patients with issues similar to yours. The Chiropractor should be honest with you from the start as to the modalities to be used in your treatment regimen.  If the doctor begins to make promises before treating you, then your warning bell should go off.

REFERENCES ANYONE?

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Will the doctor give you references? A good chiropractor will be happy to give you names of satisfied clients and they should have many of them. Utilize this resource as this might be one of the best ways to determine if this is the right doctor for you.

IS THE DOCTOR HEALTHY? 

Does the doctor look healthy? If the chiropractor is committed to wellness, they will also lead a healthy lifestyle and it should show. A great chiropractor will take a holistic approach to health and healing. The doctor should extol the benefits of nutrition and nutrients, fitness and of course, a healthy spinal system. You want a chiropractor who leads by example.

THE COMFORT ZONE

Do you feel like you “click” with the doctor? Well, you should. You will be entering into a very special, potentially long-term relationship with this person and it’s essential you feel comfortable and relaxed. Does the doctor speak down to you or do you sense they are rushing? The chiropractor should be a coach and a mentor, someone you can confide in and trust. If you don’t get that vibe, then move on to the next one.

THE TECHNIQUES 

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Unlike traditional medicine, there is a much wider range of acceptable approaches and types of treatments in chiropractic. Some doctors perform joint manipulation with their hands only, while others use various instruments. The manipulative techniques also matter in a big way. Some people may prefer the “joint-popping” manual manipulation technique while others can’t even say those two words in the same sentence. There are a number of options out there and some chiropractors only use a low-force chiropractic technique.

Each specific technique can work wonders on a patient, but no single technique will be a magic cure for everyone. With that in mind, if a chiropractor guarantees that a single technique surpasses all others, then you might want to start another search for another qualified chiropractor.

A FEW MORE QUESTIONS

• Will the doctor work collaboratively with your primary care physician? 
• What services are provided in the clinic? 
• Would the doctor be willing to refer you to a specialist if necessary? 
• What should you expect during the first visit? 
• What is the chiropractor’s education and training? 
• Why does the chiropractor use specific techniques? 
• How many years has the doctor practiced? 
• Does the doctor have experience treating your specific problem? 

THE DECISION’S BEEN MADE- THE FIRST VISIT

You’ve made the decision. You feel comfortable and decide this is the doctor for you. Great! So what happens next?

YOUR HISTORY

The element that mirrors a standard medical intake is the gathering of information bout your health history. You will fill out a health questionnaire and answer many questions about your medical history, your family medical history, prior injuries, existing conditions, current health providers and treatments. The more questions asked, the better the chance your chiropractor will be able to help you overcome your issues.

YOUR SYMPTOMS

Now it is time for the chiropractor to find more about what ails you. Some of the questions they may typically ask are:

• When and how did the pain start? 
• Where is it located? 
• Describe the pain. Is it sharp, dull, burning, or throbbing? 
• Does it come and go or is it continual? 
• Did the pain start as a result of an injury? 
• What activities or circumstances make it better or worse? 

(http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/what-expect-first-chiropractic-consultation)

Many chiropractors will also have a chart of the human body where you can pinpoint where the pain exists.

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THE PHYSICAL EXAM 

The chiropractor will start with a standard physical exam, then follow up with an exam that focuses on the spine, with precise attention given to the distressed area. Additional tests may be given to determine the range of motion of the affected area as well as muscle tone and muscle strength.

The chiropractor will take x-rays of the spine and the affected area to study its condition and the surrounding soft tissues. This will give the doctor a better understanding of how to develop a treatment plan.

THE TREATMENT PLAN

After the extensive assessments, the chiropractor will be armed with enough information to devise your treatment plan. It should incorporate your goals, whether you simply seek relief from your discomfort or desire to begin a complete health care regimen.

The treatment plan should also take into account the extent of your injury or area of irritation as well as your general health. As part of the plan, the doctor will take into account the condition of your spine as it has been affected by age or injury.

THE END OF THE VISIT

The findings from the initial visit should give a good chiropractor the ability to make a diagnosis that will determine whether the condition can be treated with chiropractic care. At the end of the visit, the doctor will explain the diagnosed condition, the personalized treatment plan and the approximate length of chiropractic care needed to treat the condition.

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A good chiropractor may also send you home with written information about your condition so you can conduct some research before making a decision. 

If you are adverse to pain medication and want a holistic approach to healing what ails you, visiting a chiropractor may be the best decision you will ever make for your overall health and well-being. I’ve provided you with an arsenal of information to ensure you will be able to find the best chiropractor for your individual needs.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us online.

Until the next time.

In this article I have talked about how to choose a good chiropractor. I cover various criteria used to select the right chiropractor for you and explain the basics of the first visit, examination and  treatment plan.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends, family and co-worker. Take the time to visit our testimonials page on our website and don’t forget we are a full service chiropractic office that is here to help you deal with pain as well. If you have a comment you would like to express about this article, please leave it in the comment section of this blog.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, his interest in health started at an early age resulting from an athletic life, including BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After learning from top health experts in the world, Dr. Thomas’s life is dedicated to reaching people of all ages to begin their life transformation. The goal is to start the body healing resulting in a body that is functioning at its optimal.  In addition to serving his community in his Mandarin Based Practice, Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV’s First Coast Living talking about his patient’s transformations, speaking at events throughout the community, and writing articles to re-shape the health of the Jacksonville Community. You can visit Vibrant Life Health Center by clock on this link.

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