Do you have problems with your back or neck? Do you suffer from headaches or have trouble sleeping? You are not alone. About 16 million people suffer from chronic back pain.
It’s possible that you need to consult a chiropractor. Spinal manipulations by a chiropractor can help reduce discomfort in your joints and muscles. This can have a long-term positive impact on your physical and mental health.
Whether it’s your first time hiring a chiropractor or your fifteenth appointment, you can get the most out of your treatments by asking questions. These questions might help you figure out if a specific chiropractic treatment will assist you with your problems and how much these visits will cost you in the long run.
Before Hiring a Chiropractor, Ask these 7 Questions
#1 What Kind of Chiropractic Procedures Do You Practice?
The ‘high-velocity, low-amplitude’ (HVLA) thrust, in which the chiropractor uses his or her hands to rapidly and violently jolt the neck or spine into alignment, is often associated with chiropractic. But that is not all, chiropractors employ a variety of techniques. People with osteoporosis or another illness that increases the risk of harm during an adjustment may be treated using a low-force method by a chiropractor.
Some chiropractors utilize a spring-loaded ‘activator’ tool that directly realigns specific vertebrae. Others employ a variety of tables and other tools to assist in chiropractic manipulation. Inquire about the approaches your chiropractor could use to treat your issue and why.
#2 Do You Use X-Rays?
Be careful to choose a chiropractor that uses X-rays to rule out fractures or other major problems that the consultation, health history, and examination have shown. X-rays allow us to assess the condition of your joints and discs, as well as predict how long it will take for you to recover and which chiropractic procedures will be most beneficial for you. Caring for a patient without X-rays is similar to flying without radar in the dark: it’s risky if you don’t know where you’re going. Some life-threatening illnesses might manifest themselves first as back, neck, or bone discomfort. If the doctor you’re seeing doesn’t take X-rays before proposing therapy, you should definitely find another doctor who can provide you the attention and treatment you need.
#3 What Therapies Do You Offer?
Many chiropractors provide adjunct therapies and services, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), hydrotherapy, dietary counseling, acupuncture, fitness regimens, supplement recommendations, and other services, in addition to physically straightening people’s spines and other joints.
Chiropractic has a long history of using drug-free spinal adjustments to diagnose and treat pain. Many people find that the advantages of chiropractic go beyond pain treatment and include a better overall sense of well-being. Ask questions about how the treatments could alleviate your discomfort and how much the sessions will cost to get the most out of your chiropractor visits.
#4 What is the Expected Duration of My Treatment?
Make sure to ask how long your therapy will last. If you haven’t seen a substantial improvement after three appointments, you should look for another option. As previously indicated, a treatment plan of one to three chiropractic appointments over the course of two to four weeks will be advised for various forms of back pain, followed by a chiropractic re-evaluation to assess treatment response and continue therapy.
#5 What Are the Different Payment Options You Offer?
Before you begin the procedure, be sure to inquire about the various payment options. Inquire if they get payments from the insurance plan under which you are currently insured. Find out whether they provide family discounts and if you can spread out your payments over a period of time. Leading practitioners typically enable both cash and insurance-covered patients to extend their overall care and deductibles out over several months.
Also, don’t rule out the potential of receiving a discount! Many clinics offer reduced prices or family discounts if cash payments are provided during the treatment period. Inquire about how they will bill you for operations that aren’t covered by your insurance. You can also locate clinics that give cash refunds for services that are not covered by insurance. It’s also a good idea to be wary of chiropractors who require a healthy payment up front.
#6 Do You Have Any Recommendations I May Contact?
Request a list of five references. Three of these references should be current patients, with the remaining two being chiropractors. Obtaining patient and professional references is important for three reasons: To begin, each person in practice should be able to give you with at least three pleased patients as evidence of the quality of their treatment and service. Second, if a chiropractor cannot provide two additional experts to attest to his or her skill as a chiropractor, he or she may lose credibility among his or her colleagues. Feel free to contact any of the references you’ve been given. Many individuals request recommendations but never follow up on them! You can never learn too much about the individual you’re considering for your chiropractic and health requirements if you call all five persons. It’s worth spending a few minutes speaking with these individuals to see if you’re in excellent hands!
#7 Is There a Massage Included in the Visit?
Warming the muscles, ligaments, and tendons makes them more malleable, making the spinal adjustment simpler to complete. Many chiropractors provide massage or hydrotherapy before an adjustment. If you’re going to a chiropractor for a massage, ask if it’s included in the price. Inquire with your chiropractor or the front desk personnel about how your insurance company will be billed.
Final Thoughts
Finding a chiropractor near you necessitates some research. You may locate someone who will keep you in fantastic health for years to come with the appropriate referrals and investigation. So, don’t put off addressing your back pain and getting back to living your life. Contact us today for more information about leading chiropractors near you.
