7 Questions to Ask a Chiropractor During Your First Visit
If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, you know you’ll do almost anything to feel better. Have you tried chiropractic care? This type of medical practice involves using body manipulation to align the musculoskeletal structure, allowing more efficient healing to occur. In order to be sure you understand the type of treatment you will receive and that you feel comfortable with the provider, there are some questions you should ask a chiropractor during your first visit. Check them out.
1. Are Consultations Free?
You may not know what to expect from a chiropractic visit, so it helps that many chiropractors will provide you with a first-visit consultation session for free. This allows you to better understand the services and how the practitioner may be able to treat your particular health concerns. You can ask your questions and get an idea of their professionalism.
2. May I See Your Credentials?
Any professionally-trained chiropractor should feel comfortable sharing their training and background with you. You can ask where they went to school, whether they have had any additional education, and even to see their license. Look for the initials “DC” after their name. This stands for “Doctor of Chiropractic” and proves that they have completed a legitimate chiropractic program. It’s also acceptable to ask for testimonials and references if you’d like to hear what other patients think of this practitioner and their services. Any hesitation from the provider may be a red flag.
3. Do You Offer Payment Plans?
One important thing to know is whether the practice accepts your form of insurance, along with how many sessions your policy will pay for and what your co-pay may be. Most insurances will show you what chiropractors they accept if you search for “chiropractor Houston” or wherever you live on their website. If you plan to pay for visits yourself, find out what forms of payments the chiropractor accepts and whether payment plans are available.
4. Can You Tell Me About Your Techniques?
If you’re new to chiropractic care, you’ll want to ask about the type of techniques this practitioner uses to treat your specific presenting issues. This knowledge will help to prepare you for your treatment and can alleviate any nervousness you may have. It will also be helpful to understand how these techniques work to improve your condition. Chiropractors often use their hands to manipulate body parts and to align the spine. Some employ the use of mechanical aids in order to save wear and tear on their own bodies, as well as to supplement their techniques. The answers to these questions will prepare you for your actual hands-on session.
5. Have You Treated My Specific Condition?
You will also want to delve into your specific condition, especially if it will require specialized treatment. Ask the chiropractor about their past experience in treating the condition. You can even request proof of such treatments and the training to perform them. This is your body and health. You have the right to feel comfortable with your healthcare provider. It may be useful to find out why a specific technique is being suggested for your condition, along with some information on that modality’s rate of success.
6. How Often Will I Need to Visit?
In order to get the best results, most chiropractic treatments will require more than one visit. Consistent treatment, especially at the beginning of your protocol, is typically needed in order to initiate healing and provide relief. Having a general idea of what lies ahead will allow you to prepare for the time and cost involved.
7. Can I Do Anything to Improve My Condition?
Finally, you should ask any chiropractor what steps you need to take in order to maintain the results you receive from treatment. You’ll also need to know how you can prevent the issue from recurring. They may be able to recommend posture or activity changes, exercises to consider, diet changes, and other suggestions.
Asking these questions should provide you with the information you need in order to determine whether a particular chiropractor is right for you. The answers will also educate you regarding the chiropractic process so that you better understand how such treatments can improve your condition. Seeing a chiropractor can be an effective way to manage and overcome pain without the need for pharmaceutical or surgical intervention.
