Perhaps you received a flier in the mail advertising for a local chiropractor. While anything that comes on shiny paper seems legit, it’s not always that way. And no matter how high the practitioner ranks in the search engines, it doesn’t necessarily mean the chiropractor is a high-quality and reputable option. But how do you know for certain if a practice is worth your time and even has a licensed practitioner on staff? Let our Bessemer, AL, chiropractic specialist explain the signs to watch out for.
Isn’t Gathering a Comprehensive Medical History Report
Believe it or not, a chiropractor should be gathering information about your medical history, just as a medical doctor (MD) would. Although the questions may not be exactly the same, the practitioner is responsible for getting to know you. They need to ask questions so they can properly determine a treatment plan that’s safe for them.
Not only is it unethical to create a treatment plan for you without thoroughly getting to know your medical background, but it’s also illegal. By law, chiropractors are required to get to know your background before recommending any treatment.
Therefore, if a practitioner starts giving you treatments without evaluating you, it’s best to walk away and find another chiropractor.
Provides Short Visits
While no chiropractor has two or three hours to dedicate to a patient, a five or 10-minute visit is a cause for concern. That’s not nearly enough time to address a problem or anything really. So if you visit a practitioner who’s not giving you the time of day, be cautious. Even if he or she has a valid chiropractic license, that doesn’t mean he or she is performing up to his or her duties. Chiropractic care is about more than just pocketing money; it’s truly about healing. Therefore, if you feel you’re pushed out the door without any real care, it might be time to search for another Bessemer, AL, chiropractor.
Isn’t Tracking Progress
Your practitioner should be tracking your progress. This way, your chiropractor knows how far you’ve come and how to continually adapt the program to your specific needs. If you have a chiropractor who’s giving you adjustments, exercise therapy, or other treatments and not documenting anything, it’s a red flag. Your practitioner should know how much you’re changing after each appointment.
Uses Scare Tactics for Return Visits
Back pain, whiplash, and other concerns commonly treated by a chiropractor aren’t usually life-threatening. In some cases, an untreated injury could escalate and cause problems. However, if you have a practitioner telling you that the worst-case scenarios will happen to you if you don’t return, be concerned. You may need additional care to see optimal results and prevent complications, but a practitioner should never make you feel scared to not return.
Discourages You From Seeing a Medical Doctor
While chiropractors want you to know that their treatment is different from a standard doctor’s level of care and has its share of benefits, don’t let a chiropractic specialist tell you that you don’t need to see an MD because they can handle all of your care. Chiropractors are used to working with MDs. Although they may stress the importance of all-natural medical practices, you have every right to see both practitioners to get the highest level of care possible.
At Premier Chiropractic Center, serving Bessemer, AL, and the neighboring communities, our practitioner provides each patient with a program tailored to their needs. Our practitioner encourages you to see your medical doctor and will work with this person to optimize your care. And if you don’t want to return, our practitioner will never make you feel like you have to.
Book an appointment with our practitioner to see that he’s everything you want in a chiropractor. Call us at 205-519-4024, or use our online form.
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