Things To Ask Your Chiropractor

Have you been considering chiropractic treatment? People seek chiropractic care for many reasons. Some are referred for care by a personal physician. Others may be dealing with neck and/or back pain, or perhaps recovering from an accident or injury. No matter what the driving factor is, it’s important to have both productive conversations with your chiropractor and a clear understanding of what they can and cannot do. Much of that comes down to the initial consultation and conversations, which set the stage and expectations for the upcoming treatments. Here at Amesbarry Chiropractic, we always believe that starting out on the right foot means clear communication, and encourage you to ask questions. Read on as a local Savage, MN chiropractor lists some of the things you may want to ask your chiropractor before starting treatment.

How Long Will Treatment Last?

There’s no universal answer for this one: treatment plans are always offered on a case-by-case basis. Someone who is receiving treatment as they recover from a car accident may only need to come in for a few months, while someone who is seeking relief from chronic pain may need to continue indefinitely. There are also many cases where the treatment plan will depend on the patient’s progress.

In any case, it’s important to understand that you may not get a solid answer. You should, however, have a clear understanding of the variables that come into play.

What Are Your Credentials? 

Chiropractors must complete a vigorous course of study to earn their doctorates. While exact requirements may vary a bit from state to state, the general requirements are quite similar. Aspiring chiropractors must complete college courses in general and related studies before moving on to earn their diploma from a college that is accredited by the NCBE (National Chiropractic Board Of Examiners). After that, they must pass any state exams and meet any additional requirements set out by their states.

What Other Therapies Do You Offer? 

Chiropractic care really should never be considered the whole pie when it comes to personal care. That is true regardless of the reason one is seeking chiropractic treatments: whether it’s recovering from an injury, reducing neck and back pain, treating headaches, or as proactive care for athletes, who often use chiropractic to prevent injuries and improve performance.

• Massage: Chiropractic works extremely well with massage. Chiropractic treatments address misalignments in the spine, helping to straighten out those painful kinks and knots, or subluxations, as they are officially known. Massage does the same thing in a way, but it is dealing with knots in the muscles themselves. Together, both practices can bring synergy, which means the treatment plan as a whole would be stronger than the sum of its parts.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture also works very well alongside chiropractic treatments. It also deals with removing blockages in the body, though in a different manner. Acupuncture originated in China, and is rooted in the Eastern school of medicine. Acupuncture is centered around the use of thin needles, which are placed in specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, those spots control the flow of energy, or Qi, though the body, rather like circuit breakers in a building. Western medicine notes that those specific points are nerve centers. Either way, the result is the same: better circulation, reduced inflammation, less pain, and increased range of motion.
• Nutritional Counseling: The importance of proper nutrition really can’t be overstated. Your diet is one of the most important things that can help or hinder your physical health. Vitamins and supplements may not be cure-alls, but they can definitely be beneficial. This is another slice of the symbolic wellness pie … and perhaps a slice of real pie as well!

What Diagnostic Tools Do You Use?

Before beginning a course of treatment, a chiropractor will typically evaluate the patient. This consultation may involve ordering or reviewing X-rays, gathering information about the person’s medical history and condition, and perhaps performing some assessments to evaluate things like range of motion.

It’s always a good idea to find out what is being taken into consideration during these evaluations. You may want to ask if the chiropractic center does X-rays or may perhaps order them from elsewhere. 

Chiropractors are typically authorized to authorize X-rays from hospitals or other medical facilities. X-rays can be very helpful here because they can reveal information that is key to chiropractors. For instance, they may help reveal details about a spinal misalignment, or show a fracture. 

What Areas Do You Specialize In? 

Chiropractors are, in general, concerned with realigning the spinal column. However, many do choose to specialize in certain areas. One doctor may focus on sports medicine, while another may work with pregnant women. 

How Long Will My Appointments Take? 

Chiropractic treatment sessions are typically pretty fast, with most appointments lasting between 15 and 45 minutes. However, there are some exceptions. You can likely expect your initial appointment to take a bit longer than the subsequent ones. That’s because your chiropractor will be evaluating your condition, assessing your needs, and determining the best course of action. You may also need to fill out some forms. 

Does My Insurance Cover My Treatments?

Many insurance providers do cover chiropractic treatments. In fact, Medicaid covers chiropractic treatments in many states, though it varies from place to place. 

We do understand how frustrating it can be dealing with insurance companies, and are happy to help walk our patients through the process. Our Savage, MN chiropractic care center is always here to assist in any way we can! 

Will My Chiropractic Treatments Hurt? 

For the vast majority of cases, the answer to this one should definitely be no. There may be times where there is a bit of discomfort, but the treatments shouldn’t be painful. That said, every case is different. It’s good to know what to expect! 

Is Chiropractic Treatment Safe? 

We may have listed this one under questions people most often ask. Chiropractic treatment has suffered a bit of bad PR, with detractors questioning its effectiveness. We’re more than proud to say that the evidence quite solidly shows that chiropractic treatments given by licensed practitioners are very safe. In fact, one study showed that there is a lower rate of complications from chiropractic treatments than there is for the average hospital visit. That’s pretty revealing! 

What Are The Prices/Payment Options? 

The answer to this will depend on what sort of treatments you need, what your insurance covers, and whether or not you are also getting other treatments, such as massage or acupuncture. 

Conclusion: Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective option to help people who suffer from a variety of health issues, from migraines to low back pain. As with any medical treatment, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what to expect. Asking informed questions can help ensure that the patient and chiropractor are communicating openly and are on the same page.

Make An Appointment With Our Savage, MN Chiropractors

Are you interested in learning more about chiropractic treatment? Do you have questions that weren’t addressed here? Please feel free to contact us here at Amesbarry Chiropractic, your Savage, MN chiropractic care center, anytime. We always have your back!