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The Top Questions You Need to Ask Your San Diego Chiropractor
Living with persistent neck and back pain can be extremely debilitating. It can limit mobility, your ability to concentrate and even carry out simple, everyday tasks.
The right chiropractor can truly change your life and help to alleviate your pain after just one consultation. But finding the right chiropractor to suit your needs is not always simple.
While all chiropractors are well-versed in the basics, not all are well-versed in your specific condition. Here's how to find the best San Diego chiropractor if you're based in the California region...
7 Important Questions to Ask Your San Diego Chiropractor
The best way to strike a relationship with a chiropractor is to be honest about your condition and your expectations from treatment.
In essence, your first consultation with a chiropractor should be treated like a job interview. This is to ensure the relationship is a good fit for your needs.
Here are 7 questions you should consider asking a chiropractor before committing to any form of treatment from them:
1. What are Your Chiropractic Techniques?
This is an important question that will help you gauge a chiropractor's area of expertise. However, it's important to note that some chiropractors are only proficient in one single technique. And this may not suit your condition.
Your aim should be to find a chiropractor that has experience in treating your condition and can offer a realistic solution.
Beware of a chiropractor that quickly suggests medication or surgery as a treatment option. If you're looking for a less invasive approach, it's best to keep looking for a chiropractor to suit!
2. Do You Only Take X-Rays When Necessary?
As a general rule-of-thumb, a chiropractor should always take a set of x-rays of your neck and spine before they begin treatment. This is so that they can get a clear view of the overall health of your joints and discs.
Without this information, a chiropractor is flying in the dark when it comes to the type of treatment they should offer you. X-rays also help to give an estimate of how long treatment should take until an improvement is seen/ felt.
If a chiropractor only takes x-rays when necessary, or neglects to take x-rays before treatment, this should be a red flag. You may want to continue your search for a suitable match.
3. Do You Have Experience in Treating My Condition?
Yes, your chiropractor may have all the necessary qualifications, but do they have the hands-on experience that you need? Don't take a chiropractor's expertise or qualifications for granted. And don't be shy to ask about their experience, either.
Ask your chiropractor if they have treated your condition before, and if so, what their success rate is. Ask about the techniques they used and how they can be applied to your treatment sessions.
4. How Do You Determine the Length of My Treatment?
Some chiropractors choose to objectively determine a patient's length of treatment. But, this does not always work the same way for everyone. Each patient is different and will, therefore, respond to treatment differently.
In fact, be wary of a chiropractor that offers a set amount of visits or an exact timeline of your how long your treatment should be. They may be more interested in fulfilling appointments than helping you.
Ideally, you should opt for a chiropractor that makes a subjective guess about your treatment and progress, thereafter. They should assess your progress after each appointment in order to ensure you're on-track with recovery. If you need more treatment, they will adjust appointments accordingly.
5. Do You Offer At-Home Prevention Techniques?
A chiropractor that offers information on how to prevent further pain and discomfort at home is a winner. Beware of chiropractors that suggest the use of anti-inflammatories or painkillers. This is simply not a feasible long-term option for your health.
A chiropractor should be happy to offer at-home stretches and other preventative techniques to help manage your pain. These techniques help to prolong the positive effects of their treatment and prevent injuries from re-occurring in the future.
6. What Are Your Treatment Costs?
Before you commit to a treatment plan, ask your chiropractor for a breakdown of their costs, as well as an overall estimate of the total cost.
This way you can compare the total cost of their treatment to other local chiropractors in the San Diego area. This will help you to determine whether their rates are fair or over-inflated for the region when considering the care they will provide for your injury.
7. What Type of Payment Plans Do You Offer?
It's no secret that chiropractic appointments aren't always covered by medical insurance, and they aren't necessarily cheap either!
However, there are certain practices who offer affordable payment plans and discounted rates for cash payments. Don't be afraid to ask how the chiropractic clinic handles procedures that aren't covered by insurance. And don't forget to ask which types of procedures are!
Ultimately, you should invest your time in a chiropractor that is interested in making an equal investment.
They should have your best interests at heart and take genuine care in your overall treatment plan. If you feel like just another number, it's a sign you should not settle for second-best!
Find the Best Treatment With Inner Balance Institute
If you're looking for the best San Diego chiropractor, Inner Balance Institute is your go-to. Voted the best chiropractor in the San Diego area for several years in a row, we really do care about your health!
We specialize in auto accident treatment, spinal decompression, physio treatments, and more. Learn more about our practice and what we can offer here...