Whether you’re new to chiropractic care or you’re looking for a new provider, there are a host of benefits that you’ll experience. However, if you want the best care for your situation, it’s not a matter of simply booking an appointment with a random chiropractor. Rather, consider these five details as you explore your options before signing on for a treatment plan with any particular provider.

The Chiropractor You See Matters

Let’s start by discussing the chiropractor you choose to see. Like many other medical practitioners, the chiropractor you see will make a difference in the results you see, and for good reason.

Every chiropractor goes through extensive training in physiology and structural anatomy. However, within the chiropractic field, there are several approaches to how to make the necessary adjustments. The most commonly used adjustment type is known as the high velocity, low amplitude thrust technique, or HVLA. This is when the chiropractor uses short forceful thrusts to make an adjustment.

However, there are many other options, including using a gentle tool known as an activator in place of the HVLA technique. Some chiropractors use other tools to apply broader pressure, known as the Graston technique.

Even within these techniques, some chiropractors have a more aggressive approach than others. The key is to find a chiropractor with whom you are comfortable so that you can relax during treatment. When you’re tense, it makes the adjustment more difficult to perform and can cause some side effects afterward.

Chiropractic Care Can Have Side Effects

You may hear people talk about chiropractic care being a natural way to support your health without the side effects common with medications. It is true that chiropractic treatments help the body do what it’s naturally designed to do. However, the idea that there aren’t ever side effects isn’t entirely true.

The occurrence of side effects is relatively infrequent, with one Swedish study looking at 625 patients over 1858 visits from 66 different chiropractic practices. The most common is some discomfort in the treatment area, which was experienced by about two-thirds of those reporting unpleasant reactions. This usually comes on and disappears shortly after treatment.

These are followed by much less frequent experiences, including headache, fatigue, and pain in other areas. These are experienced by less than 10% of people reporting reactions. Less than 5% reported experiencing dizziness, nausea, or other reactions.

You May Require More Than One Adjustment

One of the biggest surprises for patients new to chiropractic care is that you will generally require more than one treatment. When you understand what chiropractic treatment does, it’s easier to understand why this is the case.

Remember, chiropractic adjustments treat structural shifts in the body. These shifts occur because of some injury or because of a problem with a muscle or tendon. When you talk with a chiropractor about your adjustment, you may hear them talk about how long the adjustment holds. This is because whatever shift they are treating is something that has progressively worsened, causing the muscles and tendons to become accustomed to being out of place.

Keeping the joint in place then requires retraining the muscles and tendons on how the joint should be positioned. By regularly adjusting the affected area, you start teaching the soft tissues how to keep the joints where they should be. This often means you’ll need more adjustments earlier in the treatment plan with them becoming less frequent as the body becomes accustomed to holding the joint in its healthy state.

Be Wary of Practitioners That Guarantee Fast Service

Some practitioners promote that their patients won’t have a wait in their waiting room. This seems like a great promise but is also very challenging. With a promise like this comes a specific time constraint on each visit.

Less waiting seems that you would get in and out of your appointments. However, it may also leave your treatment lacking. Each visit should include a fresh evaluation before progressing with treatment. This may not be as extensive as the initial evaluation but is needed to ensure the specific adjustments are targeted to the shifted structural areas.

There’s a better option than looking for a chiropractor that promises you won’t wait in their waiting room. When you talk to a chiropractor and visit for your initial consultation, get a feel for how rushed you feel. The more rushed you feel that they are trying to get to the next patient, the more difficult it is to relax and for them to make proper adjustments. We discussed this earlier when discussing finding a chiropractor with whom you’re comfortable. Make sure your chiropractor will take the time to listen and answer questions each time you’re in for a visit.

Get The Details On Your Insurance

Finally, make sure to get the details on your insurance coverage before you get started. The last thing you want to have happen is to be surprised by a massive bill that you weren’t expecting.

Beyond asking if the office takes your insurance, be sure to get details on any deductible or copays you should expect. Be sure that you know how many visits your insurance covers each year and that the office staff knows as well. Inquire about how many visits you should expect, and what the costs and payment options are if you need more visits than are covered.

Finally, ask about any special bundles or payment discounts for cash patients. You may find that paying cash is actually less expensive than paying for your deductible and co-pays. Further, many chiropractic offices offer discounts for prepaid bundles, helping to keep your costs lower.

Take the time to fully evaluate a chiropractor before signing up for a treatment plan. Come check out what makes Structural Chiropractic different by calling (425) 636-0303 if you’re in the Redmond area.