Choosing your Chiropractor

When you are looking for a chiropractor, just as any other professional, you must choose wisely. Ensure that your chiropractor is up-to-date and practicing modern concepts by asking the following questions:

Will you perform tests to rule out a systemic cause of my pain. Will you refer me to a medical doctor, specialist or another chiropractor if necessary?
What type of imaging or lab tests will you perform? (X-rays and other imaging, along with lab tests, should be used to help make a diagnosis, but should not be used routinely.)
If x-rays are taken, will you take precautions do decrease my exposure to radiation? (X-rays should be no larger than 14"x17" and use rare earth screens and fast film. Full spine x-rays should rarely be taken.)
Will you be trying to correct misaligned vertebrae or will you be restoring normal movement to my joints? (Manipulation has little effect on realigning the spine. It does restore normal range of motion and joint function.)
Will you treat and restore normal function to joints of the associated extremities? (Do not accept treatment for only your neck or back. The arms, legs, hips, shoulders, etc. are involved often.)
What is your diagnosis? (Do not accept a "misaligned bone pinching a nerve" as your diagnosis.)
After the pain goes away, will you restore normal biomechanics/funtion to my spine and other joints? Will you give me exercises to stretch, strengthen and coordinate so that I can prevent re-injury? (Your chiropractor should do both.)
If I am at risk of degenerative changes or instability, will I be provided with regular care to limit the progression of these conditions? (Prevention and maintenance care are important chiropractic services.)
If I am placed under maintenance care, will I be evaluated regularly?
Can you prescribe a home programs to strengthen, stretch and coordinate my arms, shoulders, back, trunk and legs?
Will I receive treatment for all 3 phases of healing? (Pain control, correction of dysfunction and prevention are all equally important phases of care.)
Will you be sure to spend enough time with me on each visit to answer any questions or concerns that I may have?

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Choosing your Chiropractor

When you are looking for a chiropractor, just as any other professional, you must choose wisely. Ensure that your chiropractor is up-to-date and practicing modern concepts by asking the following questions:

Will you perform tests to rule out a systemic cause of my pain. Will you refer me to a medical doctor, specialist or another chiropractor if necessary?

What type of imaging or lab tests will you perform? (X-rays and other imaging, along with lab tests, should be used to help make a diagnosis, but should not be used routinely.)

If x-rays are taken, will you take precautions do decrease my exposure to radiation? (X-rays should be no larger than 14"x17" and use rare earth screens and fast film. Full spine x-rays should rarely be taken.)

Will you be trying to correct misaligned vertebrae or will you be restoring normal movement to my joints? (Manipulation has little effect on realigning the spine. It does restore normal range of motion and joint function.)

Will you treat and restore normal function to joints of the associated extremities? (Do not accept treatment for only your neck or back. The arms, legs, hips, shoulders, etc. are involved often.)

What is your diagnosis? (Do not accept a "misaligned bone pinching a nerve" as your diagnosis.)

After the pain goes away, will you restore normal biomechanics/funtion to my spine and other joints? Will you give me exercises to stretch, strengthen and coordinate so that I can prevent re-injury? (Your chiropractor should do both.)

If I am at risk of degenerative changes or instability, will I be provided with regular care to limit the progression of these conditions? (Prevention and maintenance care are important chiropractic services.)

If I am placed under maintenance care, will I be evaluated regularly?

Can you prescribe a home programs to strengthen, stretch and coordinate my arms, shoulders, back, trunk and legs?

Will I receive treatment for all 3 phases of healing? (Pain control, correction of dysfunction and prevention are all equally important phases of care.)

Will you be sure to spend enough time with me on each visit to answer any questions or concerns that I may have?