I’ve thought about this a lot over the last couple of weeks as my mum and sister have both recently asked me this question. They were looking for a new chiropractor in their cities (obviously it would be our office if they lived close!) and wanted to know how to choose.
There are a few factors to take into consideration; are you looking for a ‘quick fix’ for a specific problem or for someone who will look at the body holistically and create a more in depth program for you? At D.O.T.S. Chiropractic we do a thorough consultation asking about your symptoms but also your lifestyle and functions such as sleep, energy, bowel movements, concentration, etc. We do 14 different tests to get a picture of how your whole body is functioning and see if we can find patterns based on what you told us, and what we found. Our care plans are generally longer than someone who just focuses on your ‘back pain’ (which, when your body is functioning better – tends to dissipate).
Technique may be a factor as well – some people like a gentle approach, and some people like to hear the ‘click or pop’ (called a cavitation) that happens during some adjustments. Most chiropractors will know multiple techniques so if there is something that you don’t like, it’s important to vocalize that with your practitioner. We take care of people at all ages and stages of their lives, and are happy to change up our technique to what suits you best.
I think two important questions to ask your potential chiropractor is “when was the last time you had a chiropractic adjustment?” And, “does your family get adjusted?” I think it helps you to see how congruent your chiropractor is and if they are utilizing the same healthcare that they are promoting. We take care of our clients the same way we care for our family – the adjustments take the same amount of time, and we recommend similar frequencies to our kids, our team members (yes, they all get adjusted too) and our clients.
We think client education and explanation of what is happening during your appointments, and where your care plan is going, is also helpful. The more active you can be in your care, the better success you’ll see. At D.O.T.S. Chiropractic we give you a written report of what we found, and a plan of what we think you should do. We perform periodic reviews and give stretches and exercises when they are appropriate. Look for a chiropractor who is willing to answer any questions you may have and who includes you in the process.
And lastly, personality is undeniable when it comes to interacting with people. We like to operate with an easygoing professionalism, have lots of fun, and provide exceptional service. You don’t have to like your chiropractor, but it sure helps. I’m blessed to be in love with mine ❤️