How To Select The Best Chiropractor for your Condition

Someone touching an accupuncture point

Last Updated on October 29, 2021

Chiropractors are all focused on healing people but often have slightly different ideas and philosophies for the best way to get your body feeling 100%. Choosing a chiropractor can come down to their techniques, specialties, and your rapport with them. You should do your research when it comes to selecting an experienced chiropractor who is knowledgeable in your specific conditions. Chiropractors can treat everything from car accident victims to those with scoliosis conditions. Read on to find more about what you should look for when it comes to finding the right professional for you.

Related: Inner Gate’s Approach to Chiropractic Care

Interviewing Chiropractors

The best way to choose a chiropractic practice is by talking with them. A quick conversation or consultation is the perfect way to get a feel for a professional and how they approach the practice. A chiropractor should happily sit with you for a consultation on your problems.

Ensuring you feel comfortable and relaxed in their clinic is a good start. Your chiropractor should be friendly and answer your questions freely. Consider asking yourself the below questions during your interviewing process:

1) Do they listen closely to your descriptions of pain?

2) Do they answer all your questions?

3) How long has their practice been open?

4) Do you feel comfortable with them?

5) Are they warm and welcoming?

Feel free to ask them about their specialty or if their education was focused on any techniques in particular. Some chiropractors may have specialties or degrees more suited to your condition. If a chiropractor has a background in sports medicine and physical therapy, that may be better for athletes.

Having quick conversations with a few chiropractors can help narrow your search and let you feel better about receiving care with them in the long term.

Looking for the best chiropractic care in Portland? Inner Gate has experienced and friendly chiropractic staff who treat a variety of conditions. Contact us today and let us know about your unique condition. 

Doing Your Research 

It is important to do your due diligence when selecting a chiropractor. Choosing only professionals who are licensed and reputable without disciplinary actions against them is well advised. You can check this information by accessing your state’s chiropractic regulation and licensing board. Prospective patients can also see if their chiropractic college was licensed by the chiropractic council on education.

After you interview and do some background research on a few practices, don’t feel like you need to choose right away. Sometimes, interviewing several practices is the best way to ensure you are getting the best quality care. Pay attention to how each would treat your unique condition and be aware of any who are trying to push you into any treatment programs. Keep in mind that all this information should be relatively easy to find or ask for from practices. If there are any questions that they won’t answer, that is your signal to move on with your search.

Questions About Technique 

Asking questions about techniques will be important to assess how they will handle your specific condition. Consider asking the following questions during the interview or consultation.

  • What techniques do they use for people with your condition and why?

  • Are they experienced with your particular condition?

  • Do they use their hands or equipment to make adjustments?

  • What are their beliefs about long-term healing and medicine?

  • How much force do they apply in adjustments?

These questions have no right answers but will give you a better understanding and feel for how they will help you heal. Compare their solutions and knowledge with your other prospects.

Drawing of a spine

Related: Chiropractic, Pain and Strength Training 

X-Rays and Other Testing

Depending on your condition, you may need to have additional testing done with equipment such as an x-ray or ultrasound. Your chiropractor may order a spinal x-ray as a part of their evaluation process. However, this may not be necessary for minor conditions or adjustments. If your condition is scoliosis, kyphosis, or other spinal complication, an x-ray will be a likely step to monitor your condition. An x-ray will also be necessary for those who experienced any fractures or damage to the spine in their lifetime.

Your chiropractor should not recommend an x-ray for identifying problems with soft tissues, identifying problems before examining you more carefully, or facilitate an x-ray with no real purpose. X-rays should be used as rarely as possible as they expose patients to radiation.

Red Flags to Look For 

Chiropractors may differ in opinion on smaller issues, but most can agree that the following are red flags that you need to be aware of when evaluating a practice:

  • They claim to be the only ones with a new or groundbreaking technique.

  • They claim to cure ailments that are outside of their profession, such as infection, degeneration, or heartburn.

  • Their treatment plan has no progress checkpoints, goals, or ongoing assessment.

  • They treat every patient the same regardless of condition.

Costs and Insurance 

The costs and insurance considerations are a large part of any medical care. Ensure that you know if they are in your insurance provider network and all consultation costs are transparent. Make sure to ask about their costs for adjustments and examinations and compare with others in your area for the best prices. If any services are denied by your insurance provider, ask if they have cash discounted programs to help.

Chiropractor adjusting back

Need the most experienced chiropractic professionals in Portland? The chiropractic staff at Inner Gate have experience treating a massive number of conditions and injuries. Call us today for a consultation at one of our Oregon locations. 

Now that you are armed with the information on how to choose the best chiropractor for your condition, you can make the best choice for your body. Take your time and choose a chiropractor with a view of healing and medicine that you like. Going to see your chiropractor should be a pleasant experience that leaves you feeling happier and healthier.

Related: Herniated Disks and Chiropractic Care 

3 thoughts on “How To Select The Best Chiropractor for your Condition”

  1. Shammy Peterson

    I liked that you said that you must choose a chiropractor that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed while you are in their clinic. This must be shared with my sister who is planning to see a chiropractor for back pain treatment services next Friday. She wants to make sure that she will feel at ease while undergoing treatments, so I will ask her to follow your tips.

  2. Eli Richardson

    It really helped when you explained what we’d ask about a chiropractor’s techniques before hiring one. My cousin got injured yesterday during his football practice, so I’m helping him find a chiropractor to ease his pain. I’m sure your post will lead us to an experienced chiropractor.

  3. I appreciated your statement that when choosing a chiropractor, you should look for someone who makes you feel at ease and calm when visiting their office. I must tell my sister about this because she has scheduled a back pain therapy appointment for next Friday. I’ll advise her to heed your advice since she wants to make sure that she will feel comfortable while receiving therapy.

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