Monday, March 9, 2009

How To Find The Right Chiropractor

By Kerri Stalton

If you are among the growing number of people who deal with back pain, you may have considered going to a chiropractor. You should know that finding the right chiropractor can be a challenging task. If you are going to place your trust in someone to perform spinal adjustments, then you will want to know that they are well-trained in their field and will be able to adequately meet your needs. With just a bit of research, you can find a chiropractor to can help you get the relief that you seek.

Recommendations from family, friends, and co-workers can be one of the best ways to learn of a great chiropractor. Personal recommendations say a lot about a health care professional. If you can't get references to a chiropractor, try calling your insurance company. They may be able to recommend someone from their database of providers. Otherwise, you might also try checking with your primary care doctor.

It's crucial to find a provider who can meet your needs. The first step in evaluating the provider's competence is to check out their training and professional experience. Learn what kind of schooling they've received and the extent and kind of their work experience. Knowing that a chiropractor is adequately prepared can help calm any fears you may have.

A good chiropractor must be fully accredited. Be sure to check the credentials of the chiropractor you are thinking of hiring to make sure they are accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. You should also take care in choosing someone who has no disciplinary complaints on their record. You can verify this by checking with the Chiropractic Board of Examiners.

You'll also want to understand that kind of chiropractic maneuvering techniques are used by your potential chiropractor. Many chiropractors use gentle force, but others are far less subtle in their manipulations. Some chiropractors use instrumental manipulation instead of manual techniques. Make sure to ask your potential doctor about the techniques they use most often and what to expect at a typical chiropractic visit.

Many times, X-rays can be a helpful tool for associating pain with a specific diagnosis. Find out if your potential chiropractor has X-ray technology available at their office. If so, this should give you an additional measure of confidence.

Evaluate how easy you think it will be to work with this chiropractic office. If appointment times are not convenient for you, or if the office is far away from your home or work, it's not likely that you'll be able to keep all of your appointments. Also, one of the most important things to determine is whether or not your insurance company will cover the cost of your chiropractic sessions with this particular doctor.

Now all of that really does not mean anything if you do not like the doctor. Personality is key, and you want to be sure that yours goes with your chiropractors. Do they listen to you? Are you comfortable talking to them? It is purely a gut instinct, but one that you should trust. - 15437

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