If you've never been to a chiropractor before, you might not know that not all doctors will treat the same way. Here are some questions you should ask your potential chiropractor to make sure that they will be a good fit for you!
How would you describe your treatment style?
Some doctors treat more aggressively, others are exceedingly gentle. Find a treatment style that works for your body and your personal preferences, and be sure to communicate with your doctor if you’re dissatisfied with the care you’re receiving.
Some doctors spend more time with their patients focusing on active care and exercise. Others use passive modality and clear home-care advice to help patients heal. There’s no clear right answer as to which is better for everyone. However, you should avoid chiropractic visits that are very short (less than 10 minutes). Your doctor should be spending enough time with you to actually understand if you’re responding well to care or if there needs to be changes in your treatment.
How long are your typical appointments?
How long are your typical appointments?
Some doctors spend more time with their patients focusing on active care and exercise. Others use passive modality and clear home-care advice to help patients heal. There’s no clear right answer as to which is better for everyone. However, you should avoid chiropractic visits that are very short (less than 10 minutes). Your doctor should be spending enough time with you to actually understand if you’re responding well to care or if there needs to be changes in your treatment.
Do all new patients require x-rays in your clinic?
This is a sign of an old-school, out of touch chiropractor who has not chosen to update their practice to our modern scientific understandings. According to the ACA’s Choosing Wisely Campaign, there are very specific circumstances that warrant a set of x-rays. They should only be used to confirm a diagnosis suspected after a thorough history. X-rays should never be used to assess patient improvement, or to continue to sell excessive treatment plans.
Your chiropractor should be open and honest about their skills and expertise in treating common conditions. Many chiropractors will become experts in certain areas or injuries and can share that level of expertise with you. If you have a specific concern such as being a new mom, experiencing concussive symptoms, or post-operative treatment, it’s important to know whether your chiropractor will be a good fit for you.
It’s also important to know that your chiropractor can confidently treat your injury in a reasonable timeline. Many acute and chronic injuries can take weeks to months to improve, but if your doctor has a thorough understanding of your injury, giving you a realistic timeline for when you should start to see improvement will not be a challenge. Of course, individual results will always vary to some degree.
How have you treated patients with my condition before? How long should I expect to be treated for?
How have you treated patients with my condition before? How long should I expect to be treated for?
Your chiropractor should be open and honest about their skills and expertise in treating common conditions. Many chiropractors will become experts in certain areas or injuries and can share that level of expertise with you. If you have a specific concern such as being a new mom, experiencing concussive symptoms, or post-operative treatment, it’s important to know whether your chiropractor will be a good fit for you.
It’s also important to know that your chiropractor can confidently treat your injury in a reasonable timeline. Many acute and chronic injuries can take weeks to months to improve, but if your doctor has a thorough understanding of your injury, giving you a realistic timeline for when you should start to see improvement will not be a challenge. Of course, individual results will always vary to some degree.
What do you expect of me as a patient?
Whether you’re an athlete looking to get back to your sport, a parent looking to get back to playing with your child, or any person impacted by pain you will have your preferences for how much work you want to put into your improvement. Some doctors will require regular visits allowing you to rely on in-office care for the majority of your healing. Others will require fewer visits with regular movements and exercises daily on your own, checking in less frequently, and putting the responsibility on you to be active in your own care.
So What Can You Expect At Summit Sports Chiropractic?
At Summit Sports Chiropractic we work to find the middle ground between reliance on passive care and just handing you a few exercises and sending you on your way. We believe that movement is medicine and that in order to find your personal peak you need to be moving well at all levels of the body. We will provide the care you need, based on your individual problems, to help you move better while giving you movements and exercises within your ability level to help make you feel better, faster, and for longer.