Tag: Chiropractors

How to Prepare for a Chiropractic Care Appointment

Are you turning to a chiropractor to treat recurring pain and discomfort or would you just like to lead a healthy and natural life? If so, what do you need to do to prepare for your first appointment?

Make it. You should call as soon as you start experiencing pan. Some chiropractors, especially those with limited competition in the area, have a long wait. Also, make it known that you are available for last minute appointments. If someone cancels at the last minute, his or her appointment may go to you. Speaking of cancellations, if you must cancel your first appointment, be sure to call. You can be charged for a no-show if you do not provide adequate notice. Doctors also have the right to refuse patients. If you constantly dont show up without canceling ahead of time, treatment can be refused.

Write down your symptoms. You suffer from pain, that is a given. Do you know exactly where it hurts, when it hurts, or what you are usually doing at the time? You should before scheduling a first appointment. Although you know, write it down. Seeing a chiropractor for the first time can be overwhelming. It is easy to forget certain things, even though you really do know them. So, write down anything related to your pain and discomfort including when it hurts, where it hurts, and how bad. Bring your notes with you to your appointment and refer to them.

Write down questions to ask. Your chiropractor should answer all of your questions by the second appointment. After a quick physical exam and the gathering of your medical history, they will diagnose the problem and decide on a course of treatment. For example, those suffering from spinal distortions due to muscle contractions can get a onetime neck adjustment. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can get ongoing therapeutic massages and regular joint adjustments. Most chiropractors will explain the treatment for you in detail. This may already answer some of your questions, but ask the others.

Review your medical history. Each medical history form varies, but you will be asked many common questions. For example, you will be asked about family history. Does anyone in your immediate family suffer from spinal problems? Do you see a primary care physician? Are you taking any medications? You can usually answer these questions on the spot, but think about them ahead of time and prepare. If taking medications for diabetes or another condition, write down the names.

Ask to pickup forms ahead of time. For the first appointment, you will be asked to arrive early. This is so that you can fill out payment forms, insurance forms, and medical history forms. If leaving work early to attend your appointment, time is vital. Inquire about picking up the forms and completing them at home. This way you do not need to arrive too early.

Gather your insurance cards. If you are covered by medical insurance, do not leave home without your insurance cards. Your chiropractor will need the numbers and they may request a copy of your insurance card and drivers license. Now is also the time to ask about filing. Most chiropractors will have their secretaries file all insurance claims, but some leave this up to you.

Determine how you will pay. If you are not covered by medical insurance, you must pay for the costs out-of-pocket. Know how you can pay ahead of time and develop a plan. Do you need to save money or borrow from a relative? Have a plan in place. Try asking for a payment plan, but they are rarely given to first-time patents. As for accepted methods of payment, ask. Some chiropractors accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards, while others prefer cash only.

PPPPP

Word Count 628

Chiropractic Care: What to Expect

Do you suffer from constant pain and discomfort? For most, this is due to an injury. For others, there is no explanation. Pain can easily be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, but relief is short lived. Since pain relievers do have risks, especially with prolonged use, it is important to seek proper medical care. One of your options is chiropractic care.

If you werent already aware, chiropractic care is a form of medicine. Some classify it as alternative medicine, as the treatment options are very different. Most notice a difference between the care provided by a chiropractor and a primary care physician. Chiropractors believe in manual therapy. This is therapy with the use of the hands. Common methods of solving pain problems include therapeutic massages and manipulation. For example, neck pain may be treated with a neck realignment.

If you like the sound of chiropractic care, the first step is to schedule an appointment. Chiropractors can be found online with a standard internet search or an online business directory. Most are also listed in the yellow pages of local phone books, under the heading of physicians or chiropractic care. If you have a number of local options, look for the best care with the most affordable price. Some insurance providers do cover chiropractic care. If covered by insurance, speak to a representative to see if your care qualifies for coverage and to familiarize yourself with in-network providers.

Not long after making your appointment, you will arrive for it. The wait can be as short as two days, but as long as two months. The more chiropractors you have in your area, the shorter the wait should be. As for your first visit, it will be similar to a consultation appointment. Your chiropractor will take your medical history. They may take your blood pressure, measure your height and weight. Your source of pain will be examined, like your neck, hands, knees, or feet.

Some chiropractors can diagnose a problem by simply looking at or feeling your source of pain. However, additional tests may be needed. These may include an MRI or x-ray. Some chiropractors will begin treatment immediately, but you may need to return for an additional appointment. It will depend on the length of your appointment, the type of care needed, and how soon a course of treatment was decided on.

As for the second appointment, this depends. As previously stated, treatment may have started right away. If not, it will start here at the second appointment. Once again, treatment depends on the diagnosis made. If your chiropractor wants to treat your neck pain with realignment, they will start the manipulation. If ongoing therapeutic massages were recommended, your treatment will start.

After the initial treatment has been performed, it is important to communicate with your chiropractor. For example, if regular therapeutic massages are needed, you automatically know that continued care is needed. On the other hand, if your neck was realigned, you may mistakenly believe you are done. Despite the common misconception, chiropractic care does not always translate into continued care, but there are benefits. After a neck realignment, therapy may be needed. Patients regain mobility they never had before; it takes time and practice to readjust to it.

In addition to wondering about chiropractic care visits, many patients are also curious about payment. Not all insurance providers cover chiropractic care. And, not all chiropractors choose to work with insurance providers. If you are uninsured and paying out-of-pocket, this will not be a concern for you. Instead, examine your available payment options. They do vary. Some care centers accept credit cards, debit cards, and checks, while others only take cash.

Returning back to insurance coverage, do not make any assumptions. Always speak to an insurance provider first. If chiropractic care is covered, determine by how much. Do you need to pay for a percentage of treatment costs or just a co-pay? Can you seek care from any chiropractor or must you work with an in-network provider? These are all questions you need answers to before scheduling an appointment.

PPPPP

Word Count 678