Walking into a chiropractor's office can be scary for a first timer.
I entered the doors of a chiropractic clinic because I wanted my life back.
I was in so much pain - my neck pain was out of control, and my lower back on my left side pinched constantly.
It's a vulnerable spot to be in.
You are in pain, and you hope they are able to get you out of it.
But you get mixed signals on the internet and probably mixed signals from your friends and family, your referral sources, the people you trust.
And the fact is, chiropractic reviews are mixed.
Here are some the things you should avoid, embrace and expect when calling on a chiropractor.
1.
Avoid Avoid bad chiropractic philosophy.
Is there research to prove that aligning the spine, restoring healthy curves to neck and back and helping someone move better is good for overall health? Absolutely.
Can a dysfunctional nervous system cause massive amounts of pain and malfunctioning organs? For sure.
Can restoring nervous system flow from the brain to the rest of the body, bring about "miraculous" healing? You know it.
But chiropractors often overstate the power of the adjustment and understate the importance of things like stress levels, food sensitivities, exercise, toxicity levels and weight loss.
It's not that they don't talk about these things, but they often don't put them on same level playing field as nervous system health.
Some chiropractors do, and they look at the overall picture - find that chiropractor.
My chiropractor's philosophy comes from a quote from Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb): "The doctor of the future shall give no medicine, but shall interest [her] patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.
" Avoid being treated like cattle.
Chiropractic is a business and like all businesses, the business model can begin to overrun patient care.
If you sense that you will be in hurry-up mode in an office, then leave.
There are plenty of excellent chiropractors that will take the time to listen to your needs and meet you where you are at.
Avoid massive long-term commitments.
Again, practice management often drives patient care.
Long-term commitments can be good for the patient, because we all need a nudge toward commitment, but it also takes control out of your hands.
I've heard honest chiropractors say that there is no way to scientifically anticipate the results of a care plan further than 6 months.
Commitments aren't bad, but make sure your financial commitment matches your own level of commitment to chiropractic, that particular doctor, etc.
Avoid chiropractors who will only adjust your back.
Have you ever been to a chiropractor who will only adjust three places in your back? I have.
Do you know the reason? Because that is all they knew to do.
It's not so hard to believe.
Everyone in business offers solutions that they know - they don't offer solutions they don't know.
You'll often hear that the numbness in your hand can be a result of nerves in your neck...
and that is true.
But it is just as true that the numbness could be the result of a pinching in your shoulder, elbow or wrist.
Point is: find someone that has a big picture of health, a picture that matches up with your common sense.
Avoid a bad adjuster.
The root of chiropractic care is the adjustment.
It shouldn't be the whole tree, but it is the root.
Make sure they are amazing.
Make sure they are adjusting only what needs to be adjusted rather than working you over to get the biggest pops.
Adjusting is an amazing skill.
Some people have it, others don't.
Don't settle for a bad adjuster - you will regret it.
I've had my world rocked by a chiropractor, and I did not appreciate it.
Don't be scared by bad adjusters, just move on...
quickly.
2.
Embrace Embrace personal responsibility.
Chiropractors are currently leading the charge for bringing personal responsibility back into health care.
Honor their efforts and repent from a lifestyle and mindset that depends on a "sick care" health care system.
We are all guilty of it.
Our health is mainly our responsibility - that may sound harsh, but we know it is true.
Let me ask you a question: If your medicine cabinet is full, does that mean you are sick or healthy? Chiropractors are helping people rethink their answers to these types of questions.
Embrace dietary changes.
The American diet is the pits.
Obesity is sourcing.
Type II Diabetes is experiencing exponential growth.
Cancer is rampant.
We are sick.
Your chiropractor should at least mention the importance of diet in your overall health and offer you solutions, even if it is a class.
Listen to them, and put down your soda, and pick up your spinach.
You owe it to yourself.
Embrace exercise.
Chiropractic is meant to restore healthy movement to the body.
But you should also be moving your body, and your chiropractor should tell you that.
Don't sluff it off.
Don't shirk a lifestyle change.
My chiropractor offers donation yoga classes for her patients Saturday mornings at the office.
Your chiropractor should be working to get you out of their office, not keep you dependent on them.
Help them in that process.
Be proactive.
3.
Expect Expect an amazingly positive and powerful atmosphere.
The chiropractors I know are amazing people.
Most chiropractors get into chiropractic because they had some amazing experience with an amazing chiropractor.
It is a cool culture.
It is about personal responsibility, vitality, possibility, the power of the human spirit and body, the importance of operating as you were designed to live.
These are big ideas.
If your chiropractic office is dreary and less than inspirational, find another one, because there are some amazing chiropractors out there.
Expect to never be the same.
If you want to remain the same or you want to get well only to revert to old worthless habits, then don't go to a chiropractor.
A chiropractor should encourage, inspire and support growth and change in a positive direction.
Truly, if we aren't growing, we are dying.
Expect change.
Expect fantastic service.
Why? Because you are worth it.
Health care isn't cheap, and while chiropractic more affordable than traditional medicine, it still costs money.
Work with someone who knows how to wow you.
A chiropractor relationship is a deep bond.
They have their hands on you.
Your exposing your pain, disease, whatever.
Make sure they are kind, patient, well-meaning, and capable.
Otherwise, move on.
My chiropractor has helped me get my life back, heal from back pain, lose 30 lbs, and cleanse my body.
She is an amazing person, doing amazing deeds.
Her name is Dr.
Molly and her business is Thrive Chiropractic.
You can check her out at www.
doctormolly.
com.
I entered the doors of a chiropractic clinic because I wanted my life back.
I was in so much pain - my neck pain was out of control, and my lower back on my left side pinched constantly.
It's a vulnerable spot to be in.
You are in pain, and you hope they are able to get you out of it.
But you get mixed signals on the internet and probably mixed signals from your friends and family, your referral sources, the people you trust.
And the fact is, chiropractic reviews are mixed.
Here are some the things you should avoid, embrace and expect when calling on a chiropractor.
1.
Avoid Avoid bad chiropractic philosophy.
Is there research to prove that aligning the spine, restoring healthy curves to neck and back and helping someone move better is good for overall health? Absolutely.
Can a dysfunctional nervous system cause massive amounts of pain and malfunctioning organs? For sure.
Can restoring nervous system flow from the brain to the rest of the body, bring about "miraculous" healing? You know it.
But chiropractors often overstate the power of the adjustment and understate the importance of things like stress levels, food sensitivities, exercise, toxicity levels and weight loss.
It's not that they don't talk about these things, but they often don't put them on same level playing field as nervous system health.
Some chiropractors do, and they look at the overall picture - find that chiropractor.
My chiropractor's philosophy comes from a quote from Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb): "The doctor of the future shall give no medicine, but shall interest [her] patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.
" Avoid being treated like cattle.
Chiropractic is a business and like all businesses, the business model can begin to overrun patient care.
If you sense that you will be in hurry-up mode in an office, then leave.
There are plenty of excellent chiropractors that will take the time to listen to your needs and meet you where you are at.
Avoid massive long-term commitments.
Again, practice management often drives patient care.
Long-term commitments can be good for the patient, because we all need a nudge toward commitment, but it also takes control out of your hands.
I've heard honest chiropractors say that there is no way to scientifically anticipate the results of a care plan further than 6 months.
Commitments aren't bad, but make sure your financial commitment matches your own level of commitment to chiropractic, that particular doctor, etc.
Avoid chiropractors who will only adjust your back.
Have you ever been to a chiropractor who will only adjust three places in your back? I have.
Do you know the reason? Because that is all they knew to do.
It's not so hard to believe.
Everyone in business offers solutions that they know - they don't offer solutions they don't know.
You'll often hear that the numbness in your hand can be a result of nerves in your neck...
and that is true.
But it is just as true that the numbness could be the result of a pinching in your shoulder, elbow or wrist.
Point is: find someone that has a big picture of health, a picture that matches up with your common sense.
Avoid a bad adjuster.
The root of chiropractic care is the adjustment.
It shouldn't be the whole tree, but it is the root.
Make sure they are amazing.
Make sure they are adjusting only what needs to be adjusted rather than working you over to get the biggest pops.
Adjusting is an amazing skill.
Some people have it, others don't.
Don't settle for a bad adjuster - you will regret it.
I've had my world rocked by a chiropractor, and I did not appreciate it.
Don't be scared by bad adjusters, just move on...
quickly.
2.
Embrace Embrace personal responsibility.
Chiropractors are currently leading the charge for bringing personal responsibility back into health care.
Honor their efforts and repent from a lifestyle and mindset that depends on a "sick care" health care system.
We are all guilty of it.
Our health is mainly our responsibility - that may sound harsh, but we know it is true.
Let me ask you a question: If your medicine cabinet is full, does that mean you are sick or healthy? Chiropractors are helping people rethink their answers to these types of questions.
Embrace dietary changes.
The American diet is the pits.
Obesity is sourcing.
Type II Diabetes is experiencing exponential growth.
Cancer is rampant.
We are sick.
Your chiropractor should at least mention the importance of diet in your overall health and offer you solutions, even if it is a class.
Listen to them, and put down your soda, and pick up your spinach.
You owe it to yourself.
Embrace exercise.
Chiropractic is meant to restore healthy movement to the body.
But you should also be moving your body, and your chiropractor should tell you that.
Don't sluff it off.
Don't shirk a lifestyle change.
My chiropractor offers donation yoga classes for her patients Saturday mornings at the office.
Your chiropractor should be working to get you out of their office, not keep you dependent on them.
Help them in that process.
Be proactive.
3.
Expect Expect an amazingly positive and powerful atmosphere.
The chiropractors I know are amazing people.
Most chiropractors get into chiropractic because they had some amazing experience with an amazing chiropractor.
It is a cool culture.
It is about personal responsibility, vitality, possibility, the power of the human spirit and body, the importance of operating as you were designed to live.
These are big ideas.
If your chiropractic office is dreary and less than inspirational, find another one, because there are some amazing chiropractors out there.
Expect to never be the same.
If you want to remain the same or you want to get well only to revert to old worthless habits, then don't go to a chiropractor.
A chiropractor should encourage, inspire and support growth and change in a positive direction.
Truly, if we aren't growing, we are dying.
Expect change.
Expect fantastic service.
Why? Because you are worth it.
Health care isn't cheap, and while chiropractic more affordable than traditional medicine, it still costs money.
Work with someone who knows how to wow you.
A chiropractor relationship is a deep bond.
They have their hands on you.
Your exposing your pain, disease, whatever.
Make sure they are kind, patient, well-meaning, and capable.
Otherwise, move on.
My chiropractor has helped me get my life back, heal from back pain, lose 30 lbs, and cleanse my body.
She is an amazing person, doing amazing deeds.
Her name is Dr.
Molly and her business is Thrive Chiropractic.
You can check her out at www.
doctormolly.
com.
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