Pain Center of Gwinnett

Choosing A Chiropractor For Optimum Chiropractic Care

What Are 5 Things You Should Look For?

1. You Should Insist On Years of Practical Experience

While all Board Certified  Chiropractors have completed a rigorous course of study and have logged in over 1,000 hours of clinic time before they are even allowed to practice, there is no substitute for hands-on, real life experience.  With time and experience, as in any profession, a Chiropractor has had the opportunity to see, diagnose, and treat many, many different kinds of conditions.  They can more clearly recognize which conditions they can treat and give a realistic assessment of the course of treatment.

Perhaps even more importantly they recognize those conditions they cannot treat.  Dr. Alexander has over 20 years of experience.  Not only has he gotten and kept countless numbers of patients out of pain but he has literally saved the lives of several patients who came to him with what turned out to be life threatening conditions.  He immediately referred them to critical care specialists who were able to treat them.   He saved a young boy from being permanently crippled when he had the boy’s mother insist on diagnostic testing when the pediatrician brushed off her concerns.

In a youth oriented culture, there is clearly a place for experience, especially when it  comes to your health!

2. You Should Insist on a Risk Free Way to Evaluate the Doctor

All initial consultations with Dr. Alexander are always free of charge.  This is an opportunity for you to meet Dr. Alexander and his staff, to discuss what your upfront concerns and conditions are, and find out if Dr. Alexander feels he can treat your condition.   While a first office visit, which includes a comprehensive exam and x-rays if needed, would normally cost around $150, Dr. Alexander provides a low cost first exam coupon so that he can provide you

2. Respect for the Patients Well Being!

If something is clearly wrong and needs fixing, make sure you are dealing with a practitioner who will tell it to you straight. I once visited a dentist who had found something wrong with my teeth but seemed too timid to just tell me the extent of the problem. I’d rather know so I can understand my options!

I promise to respect your well being when you come in to my clinic, which means a detailed exam so we can understand the extent of your problem. Then I’m going to tell it to you straight and leave it up to you to decide how you wish to proceed. Run, not walk, from any practitioner who won’t shoot straight with you in plain English. When it comes to your pain, you need solutions and straight talk. That’s the secret to getting you better fast.

3. Recommendations and Referrals!

In an ideal world, a recommendation from a friend or family member is helpful place to start your search for a good chiropractor. (This isn’t always possible, I realize.)

Second best is ask your doctor if he has patient reviews or letters of recommendation. Often these will be posted on his or her website.

4. The Warning Signs!

On top of knowing what qualities to look for in a chiropractor, here are a few danger signs that you should warn you to avoid a chiropractor if s/he exhibits them:

* Avoid chiropractors who require you to sign a long-term treatment contract. Although chiropractic care is relatively safe, you have no reason to be tied up to a particular chiropractor for any long-term treatment unless your condition requires for it.

* Avoid chiropractors who discourage you to opt for other preventive treatments outside of chiropractic care, such as acupuncture or massage. A qualified doctor who is concerned about your health and recuperation must be open to the best possible means of treating your disease or condition.

* Doctor is making claims that even you believe is not feasible at all or or who employ scare tactics to convince the patient to agree on a treatment plan.

These are usually some tell-tale signs of a chiropractor who is less concerned about the patient’s welfare and is only aiming to attain monetary benefits.

5. Speed Of Service!

When I first opened my clinic, I used to spend waaaaaaay too much time with new patients. I used to think that time spent with a patient equated to “good service in the eyes of my patients.

Boy was I wrong! It wasn’t until a patient said to me nicely: “You know, if you wouldn’t mind speeding things up, I might actually come in more often.”  I finally understood that just like no one likes to wait longer than necessary at a Bank or to order your Starbucks, likewise people wish to get in and out of their doctors office in a timely fashion.

This is what I strive for, whenever possible, and my patients have told me repeatedly that they appreciate such efforts.

In summary, those are the 5 things to look for when choosing a chiropractor! If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.