10 Signs Of a Bad Chiropractor

Your care is only as good as your provider.

Here are some signs of a bad chiropractor you should be aware of.

 

When it comes to healthcare (or any business category, for that matter!), there are both good and bad practitioners—and chiropractic care is no different.

Whether you’re seeking chiropractic treatment for a chronic condition or injury, getting quality care is the difference between continued suffering and pain relief. So how do you avoid the “quacks”?

Here are 10 signs of a bad chiropractor that will help you find a provider you can trust.

 

1. They Don’t Perform an Evaluation

Your first chiropractic adjustment should always start with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, posture, and more. After all, how can your chiropractor claim to treat you if they don’t take the time to figure out what is wrong?

At Oviedo Chiropractic, this involves a detailed examination with one of our licensed chiropractors as well as digital imaging of the spine with our in-house X-ray. Digital imaging is not only faster to process, but it also emits 80% less radiation, so it’s safer for our patients.

 

2. They Don’t Explain Anything

A chiropractor who does nothing more than adjust you and wish you a good day is a huge red flag!

The best chiropractors act as partners in their patients’ healthcare and can offer detailed explanations of each condition they treat. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about your condition, your symptoms, and your treatment options with your chiropractor, it’s time to find a new one.

3. They Use Scare Tactics

Fear is a very powerful motivator, but it has no place in healthcare!

A chiropractor who exaggerates your symptoms or spins a dramatic story of your prognosis is a chiropractor who is not confident of their expertise.

The truth is that you should always feel comfortable with any medical provider you see, including chiropractors. Let their skill speak for itself.

 

4. They Don’t Listen To You

It can be intimidating to visit a chiropractor for the first time. It’s even worse if they talk over you, ignore your pain, or push you into a treatment option that makes you feel uncomfortable.

For example, if you have limited range of motion, a manual adjustment may not be the best option for you. Your chiropractor should be willing to offer alternative suggestions—such as an activator—to provide treatment that you’re comfortable with.

 

5. They Only Have One Treatment Option

Chiropractic adjustments can work wonders, but they should not be the only thing in your chiropractor’s toolbox.

Good chiropractors offer a wide range of treatments, from medical massage to E-stim therapy, that are tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

6. They Don’t Give Patient Care Instructions

Only a small portion of your healthcare happens inside a doctor’s (or chiropractor’s) office. The rest relies on the steps you take after your appointment.

Your chiropractor should be able to tell you ways to manage your symptoms after your appointment, whether that’s certain stretches or an ice pack. At the very least, they should be instructing you to drink plenty of water.

Following these instructions will not only prevent you from exacerbating your condition, it can help you get back to normal much faster.

 

7. They’re Only Focused On Pain Relief

Pain relief is one of the most common reasons for going to the chiropractor, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach, which means that your provider should treat the body as a whole. Focusing only on pain relief often leaves other aspects untouched. As a result, the root of your condition is never addressed.

8. They Don’t Schedule Another Appointment

One adjustment is simply not enough to relieve your symptoms! Even after a joint is aligned, the surrounding muscles and soft tissues will start to pull it back. For this reason, chiropractic care works best when it’s done consistently.

A good treatment plan should address long term relief aimed at addressing the root of your condition (not just the symptoms).

 

9. They Ask You To Return 3x a Week…Forever

At first, you may need to return for adjustments more often. However, once your joints and soft tissues have become accustomed to their new (correct) position, you should only need to return for basic maintenance adjustments.

The frequency of your treatments will be different for every patient. Some people may need to see the chiropractor once a week or once a month. Others may only need to return a few times per year.

10. Your Symptoms Aren’t Improving

Finally, if it’s been a few months and you haven’t noticed an improvement in your symptoms, that should be a warning sign to seek out a new chiropractor.

Any medical treatment should be done with the express purpose of healing. And if things are just as bad as before, why bother?

 

How To Find a Good Chiropractor

If you’re looking for long-term relief for conditions like car accidents, sports injury, scoliosis, or chronic pain, it’s important to find a great chiropractor who can guide you on your wellness journey.

And a great place to start is patient reviews. If multiple reviewers are saying that a particular chiropractor is rude, ineffective, or seems shady, that’s a good sign to steer clear.

You should also take the time to check their education and credentials. Like any other doctor, chiropractors are held to rigorous standards. Verify that their license number is active and they have no disciplinary actions on their record.

Finally, trust your gut. If you don’t have a great feeling about the care you’re receiving from your chiropractor (or if you simply don’t enjoy your time there), it could be time to seek out a new one that matches your goals.

 

Conclusion

If you’d like to be one of the 35 million people who see chiropractors each year, we’d love to see you at Oviedo Chiropractic!

Our caring and knowledgeable doctors are well versed in a variety of techniques designed to treat your symptoms at the root for lasting pain relief. To better treat you, we also have a staff of medical massage therapists and will gladly work with your primary care physician to give you the best care possible.

Contact us today or visit our website to schedule an appointment.