Welcome back! There is certainly no shortage of options out there when selecting a chiropractor, so we thought it might be helpful to give you a little insight into what things you should look for and consider when choosing a chiropractor here in Carmel, IN and the greater Indianapolis area.
First off, like any medical decision, this is very personal. What works for one individual might not be the best fit for another, so we definitely don’t want to suggest that any chiropractor, even a good one, will ideally suit every single person out there. However, a great chiropractor like we have here at Function First with Dr. Patricia Grabinski, has a very high likelihood of providing the people of Indiana with the chiropractic care they require, no matter their issue!
The great thing about chiropractic care is that it promotes healing without medications or surgery, so it can be a fantastic option for correcting specific neck and back issues or be used for general body maintenance and to promote great spine, muscle and joint health. But how do you find a great chiropractor you ask? Well, here are eight tips Function First believes you should consider when choosing a great chiropractor for you!
Get Referrals
A great place to start when searching for anything is to create a short list of options out there for you. Asking around for recommendations from people you trust like family, friends or co-workers is always a tremendous avenue for generating leads so that you may look into them more thoroughly. You can also try asking your primary care doctor, who likely knows or works with strong chiropractors in the community and can provide you more insight into them. The amazing thing about this step is that you’re not committed to anything. This is just the initial step and can add or weed out candidates along the way.
Do Research
Part of making a sound, informed decision, especially when it comes to your health, is putting in the time and effort to do your due diligence through research. Primarily, you want to find a chiropractor and chiropractic clinic that has strong credentials so you can rest assured they know what they’re doing. Licensure is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a chiropractor because it tells you that they have the necessary training, skills and experience in order to provide the chiropractic care you require. This is also helpful for ensuring they have no malpractice claims or disciplinary action against them. There are several places you can find a chiropractor’s medical school, training hospital, certifications and other history online.
Look For Experience
As is the case with most every service or medical care you seek, experience should heavily factor into your decision. It certainly matters when you face musculoskeletal or spine issues and the more experienced your chiropractor is, the more likely they are to identify problems quickly and know exactly how to treat them so that they can be resolved. Some areas of chiropractics are more specific than others, so knowing your chiropractor has successfully treated other patients with the same complication before gives you confidence that they can do the same for you.
Consider Gender
This may be a more instinctive consideration than anything, and may not completely matter to everybody, but most people prefer to seek chiropractic care from a certain gender. Above all, you want to feel comfortable with your chiropractor in order to be open and honest with them because you’ll be discussing personal information. If you’re a woman, for example, you might not feel totally comfortable with a male chiropractors, and that’s OK. Also, some chiropractors are more skilled in treating men vs. women or vice versa because there are different treatment methods for them. So it can work both ways.
Evaluate Clinic Quality
Most chiropractors work out of a clinic or hospital affiliation, so you’ll want to look into them as well. Does the quality of the establishment seem high or satisfactory for your needs and do they have positive reviews as well? This can also include the location. Finding a chiropractic clinic that is convenient for you and your life makes everything that much smoother. Don’t be afraid to schedule a visit so you can see first-hand just what the clinic or hospital is like in person. Consider the experience of the staff and if they are friendly, welcoming and understanding.
Communication
Communication is a universal necessity in life. You should feel comfortable talking with your chiropractor and they should be able to explain to you exactly what your body needs and how they plan to provide that chiropractic care to you. When you first meet them, be sure to ask questions and see how they respond. You want somebody that welcomes your questions, provides answers that make sense to you and offers up information or advice without you even needing to ask, because everybody forgets to ask sometimes.
Look at Reviews
The internet makes finding reviews easier than ever, so take advantage of it. Obviously, you want a chiropractor that has generally positive ratings from actual patients. Be sure to read more than a handful because you’re looking for an overall theme in order to weed out unnecessarily negative reviews or any other outliers. If most everybody who’s received chiropractic care from them came away satisfied, then there’s a great chance it’ll be the same for you.
Pay Attention to Insurance
Finally, you want to be sure the chiropractor you seek actually accepts your insurance coverage, when applicable. This is a practical matter, but one that is often overlooked. Verifying this ensures you don’t pick a great chiropractor only to find out later that your insurance won’t work, which can lead to much more expensive care or wasted time.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
There you have it! While these might not be everything you need to consider when choosing a great chiropractor in Carmel, they are generally a fantastic place to start. Each person is different and may have unique considerations, so keep those things in mind as well. But by following these eight tips, you’re likely to end up with a chiropractor you absolutely love!
We happen to know a pretty good chiropractor here in Carmel (wink, wink), and Function First would love the opportunity to provide you with exceptional chiropractic care, so don’t be afraid to reach out to us and learn more or to schedule an appointment today!