Questions to Ask About Chiropractic Technique

There are many different chiropractic techniques for treating a person. Some doctors of chiropractic adjust with their hands, while others use various instruments.

Additionally, some chiropractors adjust deeply and strongly, while others have a lighter touch. Some patients prefer the immediate feeling of relief offered by the “joint popping” type of manipulation while others cringe at the mere thought and request a low-force chiropractic technique.

In short, the chiropractic technique is a very individual preference by both the chiropractor and the patient.

Sample Chiropractic Technique Questions

Many of these questions about chiropractic care have no right or wrong answer, but having a better understanding of the chiropractic technique will allow the patient to better assess if there is a good fit, and/or will allow the patient to do further research about the specific chiropractic techniques.

• Which chiropractic techniques does the chiropractor use and why?
• Does the chiropractor use his or her hands or an instrument for the chiropractic manipulation?
• Does the chiropractor employ deeper, joint-popping adjustment or a low-force, adjustment?
• How much experience does the chiropractor have treating similar types of problems as the patient’s? More experience that is relevant to treating the patient’s condition is better than little or no experience.

Potential Red Flags about Chiropractic Techniques

There are a few chiropractic techniques that most chiropractors agree are questionable. If a patient hears some of the following, it is cause to question the individual chiropractic technique. For example:

• It should be a warning sign if any practitioner claims to be the only one with a “special new chiropractic technique” that no other chiropractor can use.
• If after the first chiropractic visit, the chiropractor claims to be able to “cure” various conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or some other long-term, chronic condition, another choice may be appropriate.
• Similarly, recommending a long-term treatment plan such as a chiropractic adjustment 3 times per week for 6 to 12 months, then 2 times per week for another 6 to 12 months, then 1 time per week for 6 or more months is a strong warning sign of unrealistic forecasting.

• Article written By:
• Kelly Andrews, DC

September 21, 2009

Print