Sometimes people don’t really want to see a Chiropractor unless they have a need, right? Let’s say you just recently hurt your back, you’ve done it before, but this time it just won’t go away. You get some suggestions or check reviews and find the office/Chiropractor you think would be best and then you make the appointment. There is often a little anxiety at this point because you aren’t too sure how it will go.
So, you arrive at the office a few minutes early to fill out the paperwork, a little relieved to find the receptionist is expecting you. Then you get to meet the doctor.
These five questions are ringing out in your mind:
- What is my problem?
- Can you help?
- Will it hurt?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost (do you direct bill insurance)?
This is what almost everyone wants to know.
Then we find the patient who takes charge of their health, also wants to know, ‘What can I do to prevent this from happening again?’
As a Chiropractor, I like to help people as much as possible, even if they haven’t thought of this last question. I usually start by asking a series of questions to determine what they did to cause this problem in the first place. Then, after answering the first 5 questions, we focus on the 6th – prevention?
For many, this will mean you need to start some exercises or at least learn to do things a little differently. You may have thought the new pillow you bought is good for your neck but soon realize that your pain started soon after you bought it. Or, you may have thought you didn’t need to do your neck or lower back stretches that used to help you. Now you may realize they are important.
What about those fashion sandals you’ve been wearing lately? Is it possible they have very little support for your feet and are not only causing tired feet, but back pain?
This time of year it is common to hear things like, ‘I knew I shouldn’t have done all that yard work last weekend, but someone had to do it.’ Sometimes we should get some help, plan ahead and schedule only so much work each day, or pay someone else to do it.
Often back problems have progressed to the point where you may need some ongoing maintenance care to prevent a relapse. About half the patients we see each day are coming in for regular maintenance, often once per month. Not a bad price to pay to keep that nagging backache at bay.
It’s often relatively easy to help someone overcome a bout of back pain, but our real challenge is getting patients to become proactive. I hope this article helps you to look at what it is you may have done and help you be more prepared to do what it takes to get your problem fixed and prevent further issues.