By: Dr. Ryan Lee
10 Questions You Should Ask Your Chiropractor
A chiropractor is an important part of your overall health care, and that means you’ll want to ask the right questions so you know what to expect with your chiropractic care plan. When choosing a chiropractor to work with, don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more about how they work with you. Your chiropractor wants to make sure they understand your pains and needs so that you will have the best possible experience with their care. We’ve put together this list of 10 questions you should ask your chiropractor so you can get the most out of your treatment.
- What does a visit in your office entail?
Asking this question will help to put you at ease so you know exactly what to expect during your first visit. Chiropractors can take different approaches to care, so you will want to have an understanding of what your visit will look like and what kind of chiropractic care plan you can expect to get.Many chiropractors, including here at Reach Health and Wellness start with a consultation to get your health history and discuss your pains and personal needs. A thorough exam should be performed to get an objective look at what is going on and what it will take to fix. Some doctors will take x-rays at the first visit to rule out serious problems or fractures. - Do you practice a particular technique?If you’re asking about chiropractic techniques, it means one of two things: 1) You want to know what your chiropractor is practicing to determine if it lines up with your beliefs or 2) you want to know whether he or she uses a particular technique that you heard worked well for someone else.
- How long will it take for me to get better?
When you first start chiropractic care, it’s important to determine how long it will take for you to get better. This question can help clarify expectations between both parties. It also gives you insight into how your chiropractor approaches treating different ailments, which may impact future treatment plans if other symptoms develop. If a problem is serious enough that it warrants an immediate solution, ask when you should expect results and what will happen if they are not seen quickly enough.A single visit to a chiropractor usually will not fully fix your musculoskeletal issue or resolve your pain. Chiropractic adjustments generally need to be performed on an ongoing basis to obtain results. You should ask your chiropractor how many appointments, in general, it might take to address your condition. - Do you recommend at-home exercises to help with recovery?
There are many life-style factors that can impact your alignment. Incorporating the right kind of exercise is often key to recovering from an injury and reducing your risk of further injuries. It’s important to ask your chiropractor if they recommend any at-home exercises or stretches that you can aid in your recovery process. But be sure not to overdo it! Exercising too soon after a spinal adjustment can actually cause more damage. Most chiropractors will recommend allowing your body time to adjust, then taking it easy for a week or two before resuming exercise. - What services do you provide?
Different chiropractors offer different services, so it’s important to learn about their full scope of practice. Do they treat sports injuries? What about weight loss? Are there any services they don’t provide? If you have a problem that requires more complicated care, do they refer out? Do they have a massage therapist on staff? It’s better to find out these things at your first appointment than after you start treatment. - What are the top 3 things I can do to get the best results?
When visiting a chiropractor, you should ask about how you can get better results from your chiropractic care. That’s why it’s important to ask your chiropractor what changes you can make to your lifestyle to get a better result. If you find yourself in discomfort, there may be other things you can do to improve your pain. - Will chiropractic help my symptom/problem?
Chiropractic care can help treat many problems that cause you pain. So one of the best questions to ask is whether chiropractic care will help you with your particular issue. There are many different types of problems and injuries that can be helped by chiropractic treatment. Knowing as much about your issue as possible before your appointment will help you get through what could be a very thorough history-taking session, as well as give you an idea of how much time it might take for you to see results. The more prepared and informed you are going into an appointment, the better off things will go! - What kind of results can I expect from treatment?
Have realistic expectations about your treatment results. Chiropractors treat conditions caused by subluxations—misalignments in your joints that inhibit your body’s natural healing mechanisms. Most people will experience some kind of relief from treatment, but it may take time and multiple adjustments before you notice an improvement in how you feel and function. Your chiropractor should explain a detailed care plan to address your specific needs. - Will you take X-rays?
X-rays can help your chiropractor evaluate exactly what’s going on with your spine and other bones. While an X-ray is not be required for every patient, it’s a good idea to ask about them upfront. They can help identify bone spurs or other abnormalities that could be causing pain in your back or elsewhere. - Am I required to take special precautions after treatment?
What should you do after receiving chiropractic care? Do you need to take special precautions? What should you avoid doing after treatment? The answers to these questions and more will help you make the most out of your chiropractic care plan.
Now you’re ready for your appointment
Going to your first appointment with a chiropractor can be intimidating, but if you do your homework beforehand, you’ll feel more confident. These 10 questions will help you find the right chiropractor for your needs. You can also find some general information on what to expect during your initial visit in our How Will My First Visit Work? section. It’s a good idea to let us know of any other specific questions or concerns you may have as well. We’re here to support you through your wellness journey.
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Dr. Ryan Lee is the practicing chiropractic physician at Reach Health and Wellness Chiropractic. For his full bio, click here. *This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Ryan Lee and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Dr. Lee does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
