What Do You Look For In A Chiropractor?

Whether you have relocated to a new town or are just in need of a change, finding a new doctor can be difficult. With chiropractic on the rise, there are a wide variety of different doctors and clinics you can choose from.

So where do you even start?

Whenever you have a question, where is the first place you’ll turn? That’s right, Google. From “what was the name of the dog on Full House?” to “what do I do if I ingest a glow stick?” The internet is guaranteed to have your back during most crucial moments. So it only makes sense that most people go there first. Places like Yelp and Four Square offer tips for any potential new patron or patient. This is a great place to start because you will find out how a business really operates behind what they may present, say on their webpage or in the media. It is also a good place to get a feel for the doctor you would be seeing. It is important to feel comfortable with your chiropractor and welcomed in their office. Our very own Dr. Kallie Moore goes into that further in this video.

After you have found a place that seems to be what you are looking for, you should then check out their website. Many chiropractic clinics have easily navigated web portals that will provide you with their mission statement, bios of the physicians and insurances they accept. I would like to stress that, when you using insurance, you must be familiar with your benefits. Chiropractors practice differently and may require other therapy benefits as part of their treatment. It is helpful when a clinic has a separate billing specialist who can walk you through what will be expected of you at the time of your appointment.

Some clinics do not send out billing and require that the patient portion of each visit be settled when they come in. This eliminates paper waste and helps to prevent charges from sneaking up you.

Another thing to look for is if a clinic offers massage or physical therapy in house. This is beneficial to patients because it provides services that are generally integrated in a chiropractor’s plan of care under the same roof.  That way the physicians will be able to communicate directly with each other instead of through faxed referrals that only contain diagnosis coding. This is also beneficial for the patient from a scheduling standpoint. You can schedule your appointments back to back so you aren’t always heading to another appointment.

Once you have determined a clinic that has everything you need, you should call to set up your first appointment. If you are using insurance, be sure to have a copy of your insurance card handy. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident or have a worker’s comp claim, be sure to have your claim number and adjusters name and phone number available. When you call the office, you can do further investigating with these 3 questions to determine if the chiropractor is able to treat you as you would expect.

Each person is different and each facility offers unique methods and techniques to help you maximize your body’s potential. Universally though, it’s important to find a doctor who you are comfortable with in a clinic that is welcoming and convenient.