Back problems are unfortunately common for Americans with approximately 16 million people dealing with chronic back pain. Around 39 million more will experience some form of back on a regular basis. It’s not shocking that people seek out all kinds of treatments for pain management.
One of the more common options people seek out is a local chiropractor. Unlike primary care physicians, chiropractors specialize in offering treatments for back pain.
Of course, knowing that chiropractors are a potential option isn’t the same as picking the best chiropractor. If you’re considering seeing a chiropractor, keep reading for some tips on picking the right one for you.
Get Referrals
The best place you can start is with your own primary care physician. You can ask them for a referral to a local chiropractor or even just a referral list. You can also check with your insurance company and see which, if any, chiropractors they’ll cover.
You can also ask your friends and family if they know of a good chiropractor.
Check Credentials
If you lean toward someone recommended by a friend or family member, make sure you check the chiropractor’s credentials. Most states maintain a portal that lets you check the license status of chiropractors. You should also do a little research and make sure the chiropractor hasn’t been sued repeatedly or recently.
Visit the Chiropractor
Recommendations from your doctor, friends, and family will help you narrow down the list. That’s no substitute for actually meeting the chiropractor. Calling around to set up an appointment for a discussion also lets you know if the chiropractor is currently open to new patients.
Talking with the chiropractor lets you get a read on how they communicate and whether you feel comfortable with them.
Do they talk in a way that lets you understand them? Do they fully answer your questions? Are you comfortable with their gender?
Consider the Distance
Something a lot of people don’t fully consider when picking a chiropractor is the distance. While an internet search for “chiropractor near me” shouldn’t be the start and finish of it, you’ll need to get there for appointments.
Unless you have a very specific reason for picking someone, you should look for someone close enough that the drive won’t make you cancel appointments. After all, there are several benefits of maintenance chiropractic care that you won’t enjoy if you skip every other appointment.
Picking the Best Chiropractor for You
Picking the best chiropractor for you isn’t merely a matter of picking the best chiropractor. If the best chiropractor in the city is an hour’s drive away, odds are high that you’ll stop going sooner than later.
Instead, get recommendations from your doctor, family, and friends. Check out credentials and make sure the chiropractor doesn’t have a lot of legal issues.
Pay a few of the chiropractors a visit for a chat. Look for someone with good communication skills that makes you feel comfortable.
Looking for more health tips? Check out the posts in our Health section.
