If you take a look at a list of local chiropractors, you may find that there are quite a few in your area. How can you choose the best one? Chiropractor ratings and reviews found online may not be helpful (especially as people often only take time to give practitioners reviews if their experience was negative). Personal recommendations can go a lot further. But ultimately, the best way to find a chiropractor that works for you is to make a few appointments and meet prospective chiropractors in person. Here are three signs of a good chiropractor that you should look out for:

1. A Focus on Spinal Health

   Any good chiropractor should be honest about the scope of chiropractic practice. Generally, this means a focus on the spine; that’s why so many chiropractors are back pain specialists. Of course, there are other problems that can be related to spinal health, which is why chiropractic techniques can also alleviate numbness, tingling and headaches associated with spinal subluxations and the problems they can cause to the many nerves in the spinal column.

2. Use of Evidence-Based Treatment

   You may have asked this common question yourself, or heard someone else ask it: Is a chiropractor a doctor? Educationally, the answer is always yes. Chiropractors spend nearly as many years in training as doctors with an M.D., and hold doctoral degrees. However, you shouldn’t always take that as a sign that a chiropractor is using evidence-based treatment. Some chiropractors may speak vaguely of “wellness,” claiming that they can treat your “general health” or problems such as a weak immune system or allergies. This is a bad sign. When you’re checking out local chiropractors, ensure that any you consider are specific about their treatment plan and exactly how it should alleviate your complaints.

3. The Goal of Recovery

   Any practitioner who truly wants you to be healthy should be trying to get you to the point where you don’t need treatment anymore. That doesn’t mean a preventive tune-up is never in order; after all, you go to your primary care physician even when you don’t have symptoms (at least you should). But your local chiropractor should never be recommending ongoing adjustments and nothing else. Some chiropractic clinics offer a variety of services including nutrition counseling and exercise planning in order to correct whatever is actually causing your pain.

Can you think of any other signs of good and bad chiropractors that prospective patients can watch out for? Add your thoughts in the comments.

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