What To Look For When Choosing The Right Chiropractic Office For You
It’s fantastic to see how the chiropractic profession as a whole has grown since it first began over 120 years ago. Now more than ever before, people have access to chiropractic care from a highly qualified licensed doctor and they don’t have to go far from home to find it.
On my drive to work in the morning I pass 5 other chiropractic offices on the way to my own office. With so many skilled doctors to choose from in any given community, it can be a tough decision on which doctor to trust with your health.
For many people it simply comes down to location and which office is the closest to home or work, but I want you to consider some of the other factors that should also go into this decision. It is a decision that will affect your health after all!
Let’s take a look at some different things that could help make this decision easier for you and hopefully help you take out the trial-and-error aspect of finding an office and/or doctor that you like.
- Location: I’ll start with location because this typically is one of the most important factors. Understandably, no one wants to go too far out of their way when there are a handful of convenient options within close proximity to where they work or live. But with that in mind, how then do you choose which office to pick out of the handful of options nearby?
- Technique, Equipment, Services: How does the doctor approach the treatment process? What adjusting technique do they use or specialize in? What services or specialized equipment can they offer you in your recovery? Is it important to you to have the most modern and high-tech treatments available? The answers to all of these questions can usually be found on the office’s website along with a description of what each treatment is used for and how it works. Some patients, particularly those who have been treated by a chiropractor in the past, will already have an idea about what they liked and didn’t like about their last experience. Looking on the website will give them a good idea about whether or not the new office will be similar or different enough to suit their needs. And for new patients who have never experienced chiropractic care, it is a good opportunity to get a basic understanding of the philosophy behind chiropractic.
- Treatment Philosophy of the Doctor: Decide what you want to get out of your treatment. Then find the answers to these questions. Does the chiropractor take x-rays? Do they offer nutritional advice or full diet programs? Do they offer supplements? Are they willing to consult with your medical doctors? Are they considering your long term health and wellness in their care plan recommendations?
- Atmosphere/Personality of the Office: Some offices will have pictures of the office interior on their website that you can look at to get a feel for how big the space is and what they have to offer there. However, I think the best way to get a feel for this is to find out if the doctor is available for patient consultations. This can be an excellent way for you to see the office and talk to the doctor before committing to receive treatment. By going to the office for a consultation you will be able to get any of your questions answered and see what the office is like in person. Get a feel for the staff. Are they friendly and personable? Do they have fun music playing? Do the other patients in the office seem to be enjoying their experience there?
- Office Hours: These should be easy to find by looking up the office online or by calling the office and asking over the phone. This is important because you’re busy with your own life and the different activities and responsibilities that take up your time in the day. Is the office able to accommodate your availability? Do their work hours match up with when you would be available to make appointments? This is an important consideration, although this is probably the one that will have the least impact on your decision simply because most offices will provide fairly similar hours of availability and you’d likely be able to find a few times that work for you throughout the week no matter where you decide to go. Some key differences to look for include morning start times, last appointment times in the evenings, and any weekend availability.
I hope this advice helps you to start your chiropractic journey towards better health and can make the selection process just a little bit easier for you! Good luck and feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have.
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