This is a sound I’m all too familiar with. One, because I grew up in a subdivision with a lot of manmade freshwater lakes – a mallard’s dream – and two, because, as a chiropractor in Springfield IL, people love to shout it at us. In the past, there was a lot of speculation about the effectiveness of chiropractic care, even within the medical community. That song has begun to change. MDs are now regularly referring their patients to the Springfield Wellness Center to help with migraines, joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, and sensory disorders, just to name a few.
That’s probably because word is traveling fast about how chiropractic care is an all-natural pain reliever, that takes a “whole person” approach that goes beyond treating pain and other symptoms to addressing the underlying cause of the problem in an effort to stop the cycle of symptoms and prevent future pain and injury. How’s that for an elevator pitch?
As a chiropractor, my goal is to relieve pressure on the nervous system – the master control center of our body – to ensure seamless and efficient communication between the brain and the body. This allows all aspects of the body to function properly, from our digestive and respiratory systems to our fingers and toes. Chiropractic care allows this to happen:
And this:
And prevents this from happening:
Chiropractic can help treat and prevent:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Migraines and frequent headaches
- Asthma
- Sciatica
- Acid reflux
- Colic
- Heart problems, including high blood pressure
- Bell’s Palsy
- Frozen shoulder
- Joint pain and osteoarthritis
- Epilepsy and other neurological problems
- Brain and nervous system dysfunction
- TMJ
- Insomnia and trouble sleeping
- Indigestion or upset stomach
- Dental or visual problems
- Injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, anything involving the muscles, ligaments, or joints
- Injuries due to accidents or trauma
The best part is that chiropractic treatments keep the body poised to do what it does best: heal itself and prevent injury and disease. It’s non-invasive, natural pain relief that doesn’t require a trust fund to afford. No wonder people have been ditching their OTC medication with its nasty side effects and flocking to chiropractors to take back their lives from chronic pain and dysfunction.
Chiropractors undergo extensive training and take state and national exams to obtain licenses, not to mention the hours of continuing education required every year to maintain our expertise. With that said, not all chiropractors are the same. As with every profession, there are some duds out there. Here are some deal-breakers when it comes to choosing the right chiropractor.
1. Scare Tactics
A chiropractor is not a place to go when dealing with a life or death situation, hang up and dial 911. There are a few exceptions, but low back pain, though it may sometimes feel like it, is not a make or break moment for existence on Earth.
If a chiropractor exaggerates a condition, makes a patient feel frightened, or insists on over frequent visits, even if they scare a patient into coming back for a second visit:
The body is attached to the mind and soul, so a good chiropractor will be sensitive to a patient’s emotions and want to help them reset their thoughts and attitudes. Our bedside manner and intent to really get to know patients so we can understand what they are experiencing is unrivaled.
I do.
2. No Treatment Plan
A comprehensive consultation and exam is always the first step with any new patient, no exceptions. How else will we be able to determine what is going on, how a patient got here, how the condition is affecting their lives, and what kind of health goals they have?
Neither do I.
Exams will establish a baseline for where the patient is at and from there we can develop a treatment plan that is specific to their unique situation. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when no one has the same body.
During the initial consultation or Report of Findings, we’ll establish a plan and determine how we’ll evaluate if progress is being made, as well as what to do after the symptoms are gone. When a patient leaves they’ll understand exactly what is wrong, how chiropractic care can help, and what to expect at future appointments. If there is any confusion or uncertainty:
3. One and Done
Healing is a process, it takes patience and time. No single procedure or single chiropractic adjustment can fix everything. Good chiropractors assemble a healthcare network to help them co-manage their patient’s care. We’re not afraid to partner with MDs, physical therapists, OBGYNs, even psychologists if it means better outcomes for our patients. Any chiropractor who doesn’t understand they have limits and claims they can fill every health care role:
4. Short Visits
Taking account of progress is critical, both for the patient and the doctor. The doctor has to know what is working and how to alter care to address the reality “on the ground”…I might be watching too much news. I know that I can’t assess the progress my patients are making by adjusting and rushing out the door to my next patient or to check my Draft Kings status.
Chiropractors can sometimes see 50 patients a day, but a patient should never feel like that. They should feel like the prettiest girl at the prom each and every visit. A chiropractor that is habitually distracted by other patients, wondering what the score of the U of I vs. Michigan game, or scrolling through eBay to see how their bid is doing:
5. No Credentials
A chiropractor is a doctor. They have 4,620 education hours. A medical doctor has 4,800 hours. (The extra 180 hours are to learn how to take advantage of pharmaceutical kickbacks).
As with any other practitioner, it’s important to check to make sure they have all the proper credentials. Chiropractors are dealing with the spine and the nervous system which is serious business and anyone who thinks they can adjust spines or administer care without the proper education:
And also, illegal.
6. They Stop At “Pain-Free”
10-15% of our nerves deal with pain. The other 85% deal with how our body functions. Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong with the body. A chiropractors goal is to help patients get out of pain, yes, but a chiropractor that doesn’t want to work past pain and help restore a patient’s body to their healthiest level:
An amazing aspect of chiropractic care is that it allows the body to function at 100%. This helps prevent injury, optimizes immunity to prevent disease, and perfects the body’s ability to heal itself.
Keep an eye out for these warning signs and partner with a practitioner with the same goals and is unabashedly invested in their patient’s health. It’s never a bad thing to want a second opinion. Call us or schedule a time with one of our amazing doctors and let us prove that we are a trustworthy healthcare partner.
