Did you know that in 2016, one in five adults in the U.S. suffered from chronic pain? What’s more, 8% of the adult population experienced high-impact chronic pain!
For many, chronic pain leads to restricted mobility and activities. It also results in psychosocial and mental conditions, especially anxiety and depression. Moreover, many studies suggest that pain and obesity are often coexisting conditions.
That said, if you live with chronic pain, there’s no other better time than now to find the best chiropractor. Chiropractic treatment may be a safer alternative to addictive pain killers.
Ready to get back on your feet with the help of the best chiropractor in Houston? Then be sure to know what qualities and attributes look for in a chiropractic specialist!
Ask People You Trust for Chiropractor Recommendations
Consider this: Experts estimate 80% of Americans will have at least one episode of back pain.
That means it’s likely that you have family or friends who’ve already gone to a chiropractor. These people are some of your best sources of insider information, AKA recommendations. Ask them about their experience with the chiropractor in Houston they’ve worked with.
Be sure to ask your trusted sources what they like most about the chiropractor. Also, pay attention to the names of practitioners who come up several times. The more people who recommend a certain chiropractor, the more at ease you may feel seeing the same one too.
Do a Credential Check on Each of Your Prospects
Chiropractors practicing in the U.S. should carry a state license. To get licensed though, they need to have completed a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. They should also have passed the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners test.
That said, confirm each of your prospective chiropractor’s credentials first. To check a Houston chiropractor’s license, contact the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Confirm that the Chiropractor Treats Your Specific Condition
Chiropractors can treat various musculoskeletal conditions, from ankle sprains to knee strains. This doesn’t mean that all chiropractors can already treat your specific condition though.
If you already have a diagnosis, check that the chiropractor can treat your condition. One way to find out is to check the website of the specialist and see what their treatment areas are. Don’t worry if it’s not listed there, but be sure to ask this once you contact your prospects through the phone.
Look for Areas of Specialization
Note that there are also chiropractors who specialize in treating sports injuries. If you’re an athlete or a sports lover, it’s best to partner up with a sports chiropractor. The techniques they use are more focused on treating sports injuries.
If a car accident caused your injury, find a chiropractor specializing in whiplash injuries. These injuries are quite common, affecting over one million people in the country. They’re also debilitating, causing serious neck, shoulder, and lower back pain.
Call Each Doctor Who Makes It to Your Final List
Time to call the chiropractors and tell each one about your concerns! Tell them how you feel, your symptoms, and what you were doing before you started having these signs.
Listen carefully to how they answer your questions, such as if they speak in easy to understand terms. Do they take the time to answer each question and explain their answers?
You shouldn’t make the phone call too long (remember, chiropractors are busy too). But the first call should be enough to gauge how comfortable you feel with the doctor.
Set Up an Initial Consultation
By this time, you’ve likely whittled your list down to a few doctors you feel are your best options. You can now set up the first meeting, starting with the nearest chiropractor.
Pay attention to how other patients look and behave while waiting for the doctor to see them. If possible, talk to some of them and ask them how long they’ve been seeing the chiropractor. Are they happy with their choice and if there’s any, what they aren’t so happy with?
Also, observe how long a patient spends inside the doctor’s office. Most chiropractic treatments take about 30 minutes each session. Follow up visits take less, but it shouldn’t be less than 5 minutes.
Consider it a red flag if a patient enters the doc’s office only to leave right after. This may be a sign that the doctor “rushes” the appointment to get in as many patients as possible.
While an initial consultation isn’t a full evaluation, you still want full attention. The best chiropractors treat each person who enters their office as a patient, even if they aren’t yet. They’re attentive to your concerns and you’ll find it easy to communicate your needs to them.
Initial consultations give you the chance to find out who you feel the most comfortable with. Moreover, the most reliable chiropractors give an incentive to new patients. They often give discounts to first-time patients, so be sure to look into this as well.
Find Out More about Their Chiropractic Techniques
The most experienced chiropractors know that treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why they provide custom treatments to each patient. This means combining several techniques, such as adjustments with rehab or ultrasound.
That’s why in the first meeting, the best chiropractor will give you their full attention. It’s during this time that they can plot out the best treatment approach for your condition. They will also explain what each chiropractor technique can do and how they will benefit you.
Get Back on Your Feet with the Help of a Chiropractor
So long as you follow these tips, you’ll have an easier time finding the best chiropractor in Houston. As a final tip though, be sure you also choose a specialist with long office hours. This way, you can easily fit a visit to their office in your busy schedule.
Ready to feel less pain and become more active with the help of chiropractic treatment? Then please don’t hesitate to connect with us now! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about our chiropractic techniques.