How To Choose the Right Chiropractor For You

So I'll start this blog off by being blunt. As a chiropractor myself, I can state based on my 25 years in the profession, that there are some really bad chiropractors out there. Of course, this isn't exclusive to chiropractic or even the medical field as a whole. There are bad hairdressers, lawyers, mechanics as well as surgeons, and chefs. Any field with more than a dozen professionals involved in it will have its duds.  

After my recent surgery and time away from treating patients, I got to be a patient myself, and it made me look at things from a patient's perspective. Even as I try to look at things from the point of view of someone receiving treatment, it is a very difficult thing to do correctly until you're put into that reality. My own need for surgery, physical therapy, and chiropractic care forced me into a world I rarely get to step in to. As for chiropractic care, I'm lucky enough to be treated by my associate chiropractor Dr. Austin Neibarger. 

 So I thought I'd create a rough guide to choosing a reliable and capable chiropractor. I hesitate to use the word "good" since that can be subjective to the care a patient is seeking. One person may be looking for pain relief, while another is trying to get back to a professional athletic career. I'll keep this list short and a work in progress with a possible part 2 to be added and revised in the future. 

1.How Available is Your Chiropractor

If you've woken up with back pain bad enough that you could barely get out of bed or get dressed, you know how important it is to get to a chiropractor immediately. Can you get your chiropractor on the phone when you need them? Can you ask them questions about new pain, or changing mobility, or lifestyle demands on your issue? Can you make a last-minute or emergency appointment for immediate treatment? 

It goes without saying that for life-threatening emergencies you should always call 9-1-1, but if it's related to the spine like a stiff neck then a phone call should yield some results. If you need a referral for a capable chiropractor while you're traveling, can you rely on your primary chiropractor to reply to your call on a Sunday? Social media has also become a great way for me to keep patients in the loop about news, and developments regarding my practice. It has also allowed me to communicate with my patients within reasonable time-frames. 

2. Does Your Chiropractor Only Treat Skeletal Structures? 

As a chiropractor, I will always look to the spine for the root of pain and discomfort. It is where all movement originates and is incredibly prone to injury and subluxations. The problem remains that there are plenty of muscles, bones and ligaments in the appendicular structures of the body. 

When patients come in we want to look at not just their neck if they have a neck complaint, but to look at their entire spine. We also want to check the individual joints and their function. Most people don't even know that chiropractors can treat the extremities. This means that your shoulders, wrists, and even ankles can be adjusted. Additionally, we look at how you walk, how you sit, and what you do for a living and recreation to get a complete picture of the issue. This ensures long-term success and a comprehensive approach to healing. 

3.Does Your Chiropractor Provide Ancillary Treatments?

This is something I see fairly often, and hear about from patients. People who have been to a few chiropractors before visiting my office are surprised to find out that we offer powerful treatments that aren't limited to chiropractic. Lasers, both cold and hot are extremely helpful in helping speed healing at a cellular level. We rely on therapeutic taping using Kinesio Tape to help keep our patients moving between visits. And last but not least IASTM or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. IASTM tools and techniques offer an immediately effective way to get soft tissue pain relief and speed up tissue healing without pain pills. 

4.Spinal Decompression

A big part of my Manhattan practice is spinal decompression utilizing the DRX 9000.  In my opinion, this is the best decompression machine out there. If you have a disc issue and you're getting that is not being resolved through chiropractic care, or you're suffering from advanced disc degeneration, the DRX9000 will solve your problem. Spine surgery is not the last word on fixing back or neck pain. Spinal decompression is non-invasive, effective, backed by research, and yields long-term results. I was the first chiropractor in NYC to offer true spinal decompression and it will always be a vital part of my practice, simply because it works miracles. 

 5. Convenience

If your chiropractor isn't at least close enough to you for you to keep going on a somewhat consistent basis, you're probably not going to stick to treatment. Long-term care and an involved patient are keys to the success of chiropractic. If your chiropractor isn't conveniently located enough that you're only going to visit a few times and quit, there is little point in even starting. The great thing about being in Manhattan is the incredibly accessible location. 

My office is located right next to the subway at 636 Broadway. Almost anyone in the NY metro area can get to see me or my staff via public transportation. In most cases, you'll have to travel to see a good chiropractor. If you're spending hours in a car just to get adjusted and go right back to sitting in a car, you should look for options closer to you.

Convenience also covers waiting times. We strive to get you seen and adjusted within minutes of your arrival. Unlike many doctors' offices, the wait does not last 20, 15, or even 10 minutes. If you're on time for your appointment, you're not gonna wait long to see me or my associate chiropractor. 

There it is, a fairly simple-to-follow list to help you find the right chiropractor for you.

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