Chiropractors are an integral part in managing, treating low back, neck pain and different types of musceletal complaints related to the spine and joints and a good place to start is the Internet.
A lot of times when I talk to patients about a diagnosis and I talk about what their problems are, I tell them to stay away from the Internet. But in this case, I think its good to do your homework. Chiropractor reviews are good. Try to dig deep on some of the Tulsa chiropractors you may see and what the reviews from patients have said about them – both good and bad.
Avoid an office that shoots mandatory x-ray
X-rays in the past are widely overused in my opinion. It’s a valuable diagnostic tool to determine what’s going on if we want to rule out some form of trauma – a break, a fracture, something nasty like cancer. But 90 percent of the time, patients present with generalized neck or low back pain. So it’s not necessary to shoot x-rays on every single patient that walks in the door.
Avoid offices that try to sell you on a pre-determined treatment plan.
We don’t always know how long it’s going to take to help or to fix someone. I’ll see patients who have gone to another office and were recommended an exorbitant amount of treatments – maybe 24 to 30. What if they respond in four visits? Some conditions are more complicated than others and some treatment times may vary. But I would avoid or be wary if someone tries to sell you up front on an extended treatment plan.
Get In. Review. Do (in one visit).
Tulsa Spine and Rehab likes to do things on the first visit. Too many chiropractors bring you in, shoot the x-rays, examine you and then have you come back in a couple of days then go over all this stuff and get going. Well, why don’t we get going today? A lot of times we are going to know what the problem is initially. Patients are there because they are in pain or discomfort and we want to start treating today and give them relief.
Also, check to see if they have a good referral network with other physicians, MDs, DOs, orthopedic, neuro surgeons or pain doctors. If they are unable to help you, they should be able to recommend you to a reputable source that they have a good relationship with.
Ask all these things up front. I know that my patients’ time is valuable, so why waste their time? When you’re on the phone making the appointment or inquiring or you can shoot an email off for some info. “Hey what’s going to go on? What should I expect on my first visit?”
My Tulsa Chiropractic office likes to get people in within two to thee days of that first phone call. Hopefully our schedules match up. But it’s imperative that we’re able to get patients in as quickly as possible. If you’re dealing with neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons and those types of conditions, it might be an eight to nine week wait. But I’m always a little leery if you call an office and they say come in right now. That raises some red flags as to how busy the office is. We are always going to do the best job of getting you in as quickly as possible in two to three days of that first phone call.
If you’re dealing with lingering aches or pains there’s no need to suffer any longer. Contact Tulsa Spine and Rehab 918-743-3737.
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