The best way to find a chiropractor is through recommendations from trusted friends or family members. You can also ask your GP or another healthcare professional if they have any DCs they can recommend to you.
You should also check a DC’s qualifications and licensing, as well as the clinic’s equipment and facilities. You can do this by using ACA’s Find a Doctor tool. It is also a good idea to look at online reviews and ratings for DCs.
When you meet with a chiropractor for the first time, make sure you discuss your full health history with them. This will help them determine the most effective treatment approach for you.
Your chiropractor will examine you, including your neck and back and other areas if necessary. They may suggest you undergo x-ray or MRI scanning or other diagnostic tests. They will then give you a differential diagnosis (that considers all the potential causes of your symptoms) and a working diagnosis (the most likely cause of your symptoms).
The next step is to come up with a treatment plan. They will explain this to you in detail, including how many sessions they think you will need and the cost. They will also give you information on any stretches or exercises to do between treatments, as well as any lifestyle changes they may suggest. A chiropractor who integrates chiropractic adjustments with active therapies such as soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation and exercise can provide longer-lasting benefits than adjustment alone (2).