Four Steps to Finding the Best Chiropractors
Chiropractors receive over 250,000 visits each year from people seeking relief of pain.
Because chiropractic manipulation can take several forms choosing the right chiropractor can be a challenge.
Step #1: Ask for a referral.
The best place to start your search is with your primary care physician or spine specialist.
Ask them for several names of chiropractors that they recommend for your condition.
However, be careful and don't stop your research here, what they think is a good chiropractor is limited to their experience and the information that they have received from others.
Step #2: Look for education and specialty.
As in all service professions, education is of primary importance.
A doctor of chiropractic is a four year degree program after receiving an undergraduate bachelor's degree in science.
You want to find a chiropractor that has continued their education.
Some chiropractors pursue specialty degrees in orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation, neurology, nutrition or other areas of specialty.
As in another professions Board Certification is an indication that the chiropractor has continued to stay on top of the information and techniques that are at the cutting edge of the chiropractic profession.
You can find a list of those chiropractors that have been Board Certified as well as have been recognized as the best of their profession on several Internet sites.
You can also check to see if there has been any disciplinary action taken against a chiropractor at your states Chiropractic Board of Examiners, which can be found at your states website.
Ask your potential chiropractor some questions about their education and training: o What chiropractic school did you graduate from? o What is your undergraduate degree in and from what university? o How many years have you been practicing as a chiropractor? o Have you done any post-graduate work? o Are you board certified? o What is your specialty? Step #3: Research technique.
There are a variety of methods used in the chiropractic profession to achieve pain relief.
Some chiropractors will only use their hands, other use instruments, some use "deep and strong" methods of manipulation, while others use a "soft touch".
These are both doctor and patience preferences, so it is important to ask questions before you choose a chiropractor.
o What techniques does the chiropractor use and why? o How much experience does the chiropractor have and where did he or she get their training? o Is the chiropractor Board Certified in their area of specialty and your area of need? Watch out for the chiropractor who claims to be "the only chiropractor to offer this new special technique", or can cure cancer, diabetes or other long term conditions, or recommends a long-term treatment plan of multiple treatments per week for an extended period of time.
Step #4: Use the Internet.
The Internet is a tremendous resource to get you up to speed on your condition.
Find out the latest treatments for your condition, find out the details of what is going on in your body, understand the terminology used so the you can ask pertinent questions as well as understand what you are being told.
Research your potential chiropractor; find out what other people are saying about them.
Find out if they write papers, articles or books on their area of specialty.
Find out if they are sought out by their peers as a speaker or educator.
Find out if they have been recognized by the media and their peers as the best in their profession.
The Internet gives you the opportunity to make an informed decision; use it.
Because chiropractic manipulation can take several forms choosing the right chiropractor can be a challenge.
Step #1: Ask for a referral.
The best place to start your search is with your primary care physician or spine specialist.
Ask them for several names of chiropractors that they recommend for your condition.
However, be careful and don't stop your research here, what they think is a good chiropractor is limited to their experience and the information that they have received from others.
Step #2: Look for education and specialty.
As in all service professions, education is of primary importance.
A doctor of chiropractic is a four year degree program after receiving an undergraduate bachelor's degree in science.
You want to find a chiropractor that has continued their education.
Some chiropractors pursue specialty degrees in orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation, neurology, nutrition or other areas of specialty.
As in another professions Board Certification is an indication that the chiropractor has continued to stay on top of the information and techniques that are at the cutting edge of the chiropractic profession.
You can find a list of those chiropractors that have been Board Certified as well as have been recognized as the best of their profession on several Internet sites.
You can also check to see if there has been any disciplinary action taken against a chiropractor at your states Chiropractic Board of Examiners, which can be found at your states website.
Ask your potential chiropractor some questions about their education and training: o What chiropractic school did you graduate from? o What is your undergraduate degree in and from what university? o How many years have you been practicing as a chiropractor? o Have you done any post-graduate work? o Are you board certified? o What is your specialty? Step #3: Research technique.
There are a variety of methods used in the chiropractic profession to achieve pain relief.
Some chiropractors will only use their hands, other use instruments, some use "deep and strong" methods of manipulation, while others use a "soft touch".
These are both doctor and patience preferences, so it is important to ask questions before you choose a chiropractor.
o What techniques does the chiropractor use and why? o How much experience does the chiropractor have and where did he or she get their training? o Is the chiropractor Board Certified in their area of specialty and your area of need? Watch out for the chiropractor who claims to be "the only chiropractor to offer this new special technique", or can cure cancer, diabetes or other long term conditions, or recommends a long-term treatment plan of multiple treatments per week for an extended period of time.
Step #4: Use the Internet.
The Internet is a tremendous resource to get you up to speed on your condition.
Find out the latest treatments for your condition, find out the details of what is going on in your body, understand the terminology used so the you can ask pertinent questions as well as understand what you are being told.
Research your potential chiropractor; find out what other people are saying about them.
Find out if they write papers, articles or books on their area of specialty.
Find out if they are sought out by their peers as a speaker or educator.
Find out if they have been recognized by the media and their peers as the best in their profession.
The Internet gives you the opportunity to make an informed decision; use it.
