Chiropractic is a health care profession that emphasizes the body’s ability to heal. A NUCCA chiropractor evaluates the patient with different assessments such as X-rays to determine how the spine is misaligned that contributes to certain conditions, such as migraines, neck pain, back pain, and repetitive strains. If you have a history of musculoskeletal pain or recently experienced an injury like from a car accident, you may benefit from care from a chiropractor.
The best upper cervical chiropractic practitioners will walk you through your treatment plan and provide visual results to show your progress after the treatment. This kind of therapy is beneficial and eliminates the need for pain relief medicines and antibiotics. You can also choose to get this therapy done in conjunction with other medical treatment for the same issue.
Benefits of Chiropractor Therapy:
- Eradicates stiffness in the muscles
- Decreases inflammation
- Eases symptoms and reduces pain
- Improves posture
Like with any healthcare professional, it is necessary to conduct extensive research to find a reliable chiropractor that will be appropriate for your specific needs. We’ve listed a few simple steps that you should take before scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor.
1. Find a Licensed Chiropractor:
If you jump on Google to search for “Best Chiropractor near me” or “List of local Chiropractors,” you will probably find a long list. But first things first, you need to look for a licensed and qualified chiropractor. Most states in the U.S. require chiropractors to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited institution and have passed a four-part national board examinations. Only a professional who has met these medical standards is allowed and eligible to treat you. When you visit their website, try navigating to the ‘about us’ section and read through their experience and achievements. If the website doesn’t have a lot of information about the doctor, then an alternative is to find their training certification on the official association websites such as National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association.
2. Seek a Referral:
If finding a licensed practitioner over the internet seems to be overwhelming, ask your trusted health care professionals to provide you some great recommendations. You can also seek advice from your friends, family, and other healthcare providers if any. As you narrow down the list, make sure to call each chiropractor’s office to check if they are accepting new patients.
3. Reviews and Feedback Across Multiple Platforms:
Reviews are the new referrals. Reading about what other people have to say will give you great insight into the chiropractor’s work ethic and skills. Try to look for professionals who have between 3 and 5 stars. You will find genuine feedback on Google, Yelp, and even on their website, sharing both positive and negative reviews concerning their customer service, staff friendliness, and appointment cancellations.
4. Look for Experience:
If you are looking for a chiropractor, you likely want to find a reputable professional who you can trust to provide effective care. The more experience your chiropractor has, the more likely you are to experience desirable results. Ask the front desk or maybe the doctor directly to see how many patients they have treated with the same condition as yours. If your pain seems complicated, ask the professional the risk they will take to treat the problem. A trained practitioners should be able to communicate with you about their experience, if any.
5. Treatment Approach:
There are various methods used in chiropractic care such as manual adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, and instrument-handled adjustments. Keep in mind that your chiropractor chooses the method that aligns with your philosophy, preference, and need.
6. Check Your Insurance Coverage:
A visit to any medical professional will cost you if it is not covered by your insurance. You need to call the provider’s office and ask for information to check your coverage with your insurance company. Check to see if they cover the expense or not. You could also call the chiropractor’s office to see if they accept yours or any other kind of insurance. Some specialists may not be in-contract with any insurance companies. That does not mean that you are not covered. You should check with your insurance company to see if the services can be reimbursed via PPO plan. HSA or FSA can also be an option, if you have one. After cross-checking with your chiropractor and insurance plan, you should still consider credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality.
3 Danger Signs to Avoid When Finding the Right Chiropractor
1. Long-Term Treatment Commitment:
You are not bound by a contract with your upper cervical chiropractic practitioner. You are free to leave their service if you’re dissatisfied at any point of time or free to take a second opinion. Professional services rendered are not refundable in nature. Before you commit to a long-term treatment commitment care, you should ask questions to understand specifically why you need a long-term contract.
2. Avoiding Exclusive Therapy:
Avoid a chiropractor that discourages you from doing any other treatment along with your treatment sessions. If a healthcare professional discourages you from doing a specific treatment, you have to ask why. Unless there’s a specific reason why or how a certain treatment interferes with another treatment procedure, you want to ask why exclusive sessions are absolutely required. Many upper cervical chiropractors work closely with primary care, neurologists, optometrists, dentists, physical therapists, massage therapists, or even other chiropractors.
3. Opposition to Technology:
A chiropractor may determine that you need an MRI to help reveal important information that may be needed for your treatment plan. If your health care professional is against these advanced technologies when they are necessary, then consider getting a second opinion. Advanced imaging is there to see and not to guess.
If you have any chronic pain such as neck pain, low back pain, or muscle tightness, a visit to an upper cervical chiropractic practitioner may help you feel and move better. At NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, our NUCCA doctors will explore the root cause of your pain with a thorough exam, then personalize a care plan which will be a combination of gentle and precise chiropractic adjustment.
You can call us at (224) 676-1920 or fill out a contact form to set up an appointment at our Chicago, IL location.
