Modern Chiropractors graduate with a doctorate degree which takes approximately 8 years of college to fully complete. We complete 4 grueling comprehensive national board examinations plus 1 specialized physiotherapy exam. We have a better and more thorough education than ever before. We each learn several adjustiing techniques in school and most of us continue to learn more after graduation. Look for your chiropractor's diploma and state license on his/her wall . They both should be nicely framed and placed in plain view for patients and regulators to check.
Chiropractic treatment is a process, not an event. This means that your treatment will most likely be taking place over an extended period of time and consist of multiple visits during this time. It is good to have a chiropractor who is convenient to your location since you will most likely be visiting their office regularly as your subluxations heal and learn to maintain the correct position. Some chiropractors may treat some patients off-site or even have entire mobile practices that allows for more flexibility and multiple locations.
Equally important to availability and location is likeablility. You must be able to have a good and friendly relationship with your chiropractor. A good relationship allows the doctor to uncover things about your history or lifestyle that may be adversely affecting your health. Having a good relationship with your chiropractor is especially important to you besause treatment can be much more effective when relaxed. Patients who feel comfortable asking questions and having detailed conversations with their doctor tend to be more knowledgable about their conditions and treatment, which leads to more favorable results. Keep in mind that the falsely cheerful best friend persona which makes a good impression at first, may be an act. You don't need to be buddies with your chiropractor, but you do need to have confidence in their clinical skills, honesty, and sincerity.
A happy and friendly front desk employee is a good indicator that the doctor that you are about to see treats his staff well. A happy staff can also be a good indicator of a friendly, successfu, and competent doctor. If the doctor does not have the confidence of his staff and/or employees, either the doctor needs new staff or he/she is not happy with the way the practice is performing.
Techniques that chiropractors use can be varied. The most comon technique used is called Diversified Technique. Diversified is the technique of choice for approximately 70% of chiropractors in active practice. There are many other effective techniques available from different practitioners such as Gonstead, Thompson, Activator, Flexion-Distraction, and more. Each individual technique may be more or less effective for an individual patient. If the technique does not seem to be working after a reasonable trial of care, a different technique may be a good alternative.
There are several different types of practices. Large and small, busy and slow, general and specialized, etc. The pros and cons of each of these will be discussed at a later date. For now, the best choice for you is a personal choice. Larger practices tend to be highly efficient and organized in such a way that maximizes patient activity and therapy for the time spent. Smaller practices may be a better choice for those who wish to develop a closer relationship with their doctor. The small practice will usually have less equipment or therapy choices in return for a greater amount of one-on-one time with the doctor.
There are more criteria that may be helpful in choosing your chiropractor. This list is a basic starting point for someone who is new to chiropractic. I would be happy to answer any questions or to discuss any items not listed here by e-mail. You may contact me through my website at www.leathchiropractic.com
