With over 70,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States, it can be a bit overwhelming to find a chiropractor that fits your budget, schedule, and health needs. As chiropractic becomes an increasingly popular alternative healthcare option, it’s helpful to know what to look for regarding a trustworthy, professional practice. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about choosing the best chiropractor for your health goals.
1. Ask for Referrals
At your next doctor appointment, ask your doctor for referrals to chiropractors in your local area. You can also ask friends, family, and other healthcare providers for good recommendations. Once you have a list of chiropractors, you can begin contacting each office to see if they are accepting new patients. This will help you save time, so you only research offices that are taking new patients currently.
2. Research the Chiropractor’s Credentials
Before you schedule that first appointment, it’s crucial that you research a chiropractor’s credentials. A licensed chiropractor has earned a doctoral degree with over 4,200 hours of hands-on training and passed both state and national exams before they started practicing. This education and expert training is essential for performing safe, gentle, and precise chiropractic adjustments on their patients.
It’s also a good idea to look up any history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions against a chiropractor. A reliable, trustworthy chiropractor will not have any serious issues on their records. You can also research where a chiropractor went to school and where they did their clinical internships.
3. Research the Chiropractor’s Experience
No matter what health issues you have, it’s helpful to know how much experience a chiropractor has regarding your specific health issues. You can ask the chiropractor how many patients they have treated with similar conditions. This will give you a good idea of how experienced they are and whether this chiropractor will be the best choice for your health and wellness goals.
4. Check Out the Patient Reviews
In today’s digital society, most people read patient reviews before choosing a doctor. Studies show that almost 71 percent of patients read online reviews as the first step in finding a doctor. Patient reviews offer valuable insight into a patient’s experience at a chiropractic office. You can learn about other patients’ experiences with contacting an office, as well as the wait times, office environment, costs, staff friendliness, and quality of services.
Good or bad, most patients are willing to share their honest opinions about a business. As you read each review, pay close attention to any review that mentions how long the chiropractor spends with patients, how well they listen to patients, and how much they seem to care about their patients. Indeed, some chiropractors rush through each appointment, while other chiropractors spend time listening to and helping their patients as much as possible. Indeed, these reviews will help you decide which chiropractor to choose.
5. Ask About Techniques
With over 100 different techniques used around the world, it’s a good idea to ask which techniques a chiropractor uses at their office. This will help you determine which chiropractor is the best fit for your needs. You have probably already researched some common techniques used for treating your health issues. Once you choose a chiropractor and have a consultation appointment, the chiropractor will evaluate your health needs and create a customized treatment plan that includes the best techniques for your health and wellness goals.
6. Verify Costs and Insurance Coverage
As you narrow down your list for the best chiropractor, it’s important to ask about costs and insurance coverage. Every office will accept different insurance companies and have different costs, so it’s wise to ask about your coverage and costs prior to your first appointment. This will help you determine if this office is the best choice for your budget.
If you will be paying out of pocket, ask about the costs for consultation and regular adjustment appointments. Most practices offer a new patient deal that includes a consultation, medical exam, and x-rays at an affordable price. Overtime, you will find that chiropractic is a very cost-effective treatment option as it helps you obtain whole-body health and wellness. As a result, this can reduce or remove the need for frequent doctor visits to refill costly drugs that only treat pain symptoms or to have invasive, risky surgeries that may not work.
7. Book Your Consultation Appointment
Once you have decided on the best chiropractor for your needs, the next step is to schedule your consultation appointment. If your chiropractor’s office has a website, you can book your appointment online. This makes it quick and easy to choose a day and time that works best for your schedule. If you are ready to achieve your maximum health potential through neurologically-based chiropractic care, contact Awaken Chiropractic today. We would love to become your new Parker and Denver, CO Chiropractor!
