How to Know If You Need Chiropractic Care

If you have acute or chronic pain that appears to be muscle or joint related, you may be in need of chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is based on the manipulation of the muscles and nerves surrounding the spinal cord, which is supposed to allow the body to restore itself. Chiropractors treat headaches, back pain, neck pain and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

Know If You Need Chiropractic Care

1. Find chiropractors in your region. Go online to the International Chiropractors Association directory of chiropractors (see Resources below).

2. Ask your chiropractor for a diagnosis and a recommended treatment plan. Do your own research on the condition he has identified. If the other alternatives are medicine and surgery, you may want to choose the least invasive course of treatment first.

3. Talk to your chiropractor. Discuss your prior medical history, hospitalizations and surgeries. It's hard for the chiropractor to know if you need treatment or not without understanding your medical history.

4. Ask for testimonials from patients with similar conditions. The chiropractor should be willing to give out referrals.

5. Anticipate the costs. Costs for chiropractic care are inexpensive to moderate for office visits, depending on your co-pay and the extent of your insurance coverage. Ask the chiropractor what an initial consultation will cost in comparison to an actual adjustment.

6. Learn more about chiropractic care and the conditions usually treated by reading 'Inside Chiropractic: A Patient's Guide,' available at Amazon.com (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Inform your chiropractor about your medical history so that any pre-existing condition can be ruled out.
• If the symptoms that took you to the chiropractor get worse, or if you experience an irregular heartbeat, irregular breathing or any intense pain, consult your medical doctor immediately for further evaluation.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners are licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider and keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.

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