You've got a headache-or back, shoulder, or leg pain-and you're looking for a doctor of chiropractic (DC) to help with your problem. How do you make that decision? Should the size of the Yellow Pages advertisement be the determining factor? Selecting the right health care provider for your needs is important. The following suggestions are designed to simplify the decision-making process.
How do I choose the best chiropractor? The best source is often a referral from a relative or friend who has had good experiences with a doctor. Referral from another health care practitioner is also generally helpful. Just as you wouldn't continue to see a medical doctor who refused to refer you to a good chiropractor for problems with your musculoskeletal system, you should also refrain from selecting a chiropractic doctor who refuses to send you to an MD when necessary.
A good chiropractor might offer you safer and more effective non-drug and/or non-surgical approaches to your problems. The chiropractic profession believes in a conservative approach to health care (utilizing nondrug, non-surgical methods, when appropriate, as firstline therapies) and holism (considering the body as an interdependent whole, rather than focusing only on the single "part" that is causing pain). Remember that any good physician will address the physical, social, and psychological aspects of your problems with conservative approaches, as appropriate. Musculoskeletal problems can exist for many reasons and can occur in any part of the system. A good doctor of chiropractic will evaluate your overall health, keeping up with the philosophy of holism, and will formulate a diagnosis for your condition.
Your chiropractor has many well-documented diagnostic procedures to help evaluate your condition that include asking you questions about your health and giving you a physical examination. Chiropractors may use x-rays to help determine the health of your musculoskeletal system and to see if your body has developed any serious conditions that should be managed by another provider. There are specific well-documented reasons for performing x-rays.
A reputable DC will x-ray only the patients who require it. Feel free to question your chiropractor about the need for x-rays in your case, about the percentage of patients x-rayed in his or her office, or about any other diagnostic or treatment procedure that is unclear to you.
Any good health care provider will work hard to get you out of the office and functioning independently as quickly as possible. Joint manipulation is a wonderful non-invasive procedure in the hands of a skilled doctor of chiropractic. It has been repeatedly shown to reduce pain and help patients function better in daily life. A good chiropractor will help you prevent musculoskeletal system problems by teaching you how to engage in regular exercise, maintain good posture, and practice other healthy living habits.
There are thousands of good chiropractors available to help you manage your neuromusculoskeletal system with sound, well-documented procedures.
As with any other health care decision, remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Choose a chiropractor you are comfortable with, who addresses your health concerns, and who uses sound principles of modern health care in helping you manage your problems.
Contact the Doctor
If you would like more information on choosing a chiropractor.
How do I choose the best chiropractor? The best source is often a referral from a relative or friend who has had good experiences with a doctor. Referral from another health care practitioner is also generally helpful. Just as you wouldn't continue to see a medical doctor who refused to refer you to a good chiropractor for problems with your musculoskeletal system, you should also refrain from selecting a chiropractic doctor who refuses to send you to an MD when necessary.
A good chiropractor might offer you safer and more effective non-drug and/or non-surgical approaches to your problems. The chiropractic profession believes in a conservative approach to health care (utilizing nondrug, non-surgical methods, when appropriate, as firstline therapies) and holism (considering the body as an interdependent whole, rather than focusing only on the single "part" that is causing pain). Remember that any good physician will address the physical, social, and psychological aspects of your problems with conservative approaches, as appropriate. Musculoskeletal problems can exist for many reasons and can occur in any part of the system. A good doctor of chiropractic will evaluate your overall health, keeping up with the philosophy of holism, and will formulate a diagnosis for your condition.
Your chiropractor has many well-documented diagnostic procedures to help evaluate your condition that include asking you questions about your health and giving you a physical examination. Chiropractors may use x-rays to help determine the health of your musculoskeletal system and to see if your body has developed any serious conditions that should be managed by another provider. There are specific well-documented reasons for performing x-rays.
A reputable DC will x-ray only the patients who require it. Feel free to question your chiropractor about the need for x-rays in your case, about the percentage of patients x-rayed in his or her office, or about any other diagnostic or treatment procedure that is unclear to you.
Any good health care provider will work hard to get you out of the office and functioning independently as quickly as possible. Joint manipulation is a wonderful non-invasive procedure in the hands of a skilled doctor of chiropractic. It has been repeatedly shown to reduce pain and help patients function better in daily life. A good chiropractor will help you prevent musculoskeletal system problems by teaching you how to engage in regular exercise, maintain good posture, and practice other healthy living habits.
There are thousands of good chiropractors available to help you manage your neuromusculoskeletal system with sound, well-documented procedures.
As with any other health care decision, remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Choose a chiropractor you are comfortable with, who addresses your health concerns, and who uses sound principles of modern health care in helping you manage your problems.
Contact the Doctor
If you would like more information on choosing a chiropractor.
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