Chiropractic medicine relies heavily on the interaction between the chiropractor and the patient. This means that in order to get the most out of your appointment, you need to contribute by giving the chiropractor the information and feedback he or she needs to tailor your treatment to your needs. The more you put in, the more you'll get out of the appointment. To that end, here are three ways to be a more savvy chiropractic patient and get the most out of your visit.
Share your full health history with the chiropractor – even things that seem unrelated to the problem you're currently seeking treatment for.
Since chiropractors focus on whole-body health, getting a good overall picture of your health is essential for designing your treatment. Thus, you should share any major illnesses or ailments you have or have had with your chiropractor. If you're seeking treatment for headaches, for instance, don't just share your history of headaches. Tell your chiropractor about the lower back soreness you struggled with five years ago, that serious bout of flu you had last month, and the medications you're taking. It's better to share too much than not enough.
Ask your chiropractor whether he or she uses a more gentle or more forceful technique.
One is not necessarily more effective than the other. However, some patients prefer a gentler chiropractic adjustment technique, while others enjoy a more forceful spinal manipulation simply because they psychologically feel it is more powerful. If you have a preference, find a chiropractor that offers the type of adjustment you're looking for. If you enjoy your appointment, you'll leave the office in a more positive mindset, which is beneficial to your overall health.
See a specialist if you're seeking treatment for a specialized issue.
All chiropractors are experts in treating back pain – but they don't all have experience treating more specialized issues like migraines, pregnancy pain, and allergies. If you're seeking treatment for any ailment other than back pain, look for a chiropractor who specializes in that condition. Don't be afraid to ask about his or her experience with treating patients with that condition. The response will help you establish whether this is the right chiropractor to help you meet your treatment goals, or whether you should look for someone else.
Visits to the chiropractor are generally more relaxed and comfortable than visits to a physician. This comfortable atmosphere makes it easy to talk with your chiropractor—so make sure you do talk, using the tips above as guidance, in order to get more out of your visit.
