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The 10 Questions You MUST Ask BEFORE Choosing A Chiropractor! A Consumer’s Guide To Quality Chiropractic Care.


Dear Friend,
The purpose of this guide is to help you choose the right Chiropractic services for you by arming you with 10 important questions you should ask any Chiropractic office BEFORE agreeing to care. We are sharing insider secrets with you that some Doctors of Chiropractic may not want you to know. So let’s begin…

Chiropractic has never been more popular. A recent CNBC poll asked “Would you seek the care of a Doctor of Chiropractic for your low back pain?” and 20% said no, 8% were undecided, and a whopping 72% of the 2,584 respondents said “Yes!” People who see Chiropractors are seeking relief from not only low back pain, but for carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, headaches, as well as for work and auto related injuries…without the use of dangerous drugs, sedatives, or surgery!

Across the country, the number of Chiropractic visits per capita has doubled in the past 20 years. Today, Doctors of Chiropractic must complete 4 years of study at an accredited professional college of Chiropractic. After receiving the D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) degree, they must pass national board examinations to obtain a license. Here in Michigan, to maintain their license, the doctors are required to complete a specified number of hours of continuing education each year.

So if you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, or have been involved in an auto or work related injury…then a Doctor of Chiropractic may be the right choice for you!

But Before You Are Convinced That Any Chiropractor Can Help You, You Must Be Aware That Not All Chiropractors Are The Same, And Choosing The Wrong Chiropractor Could Be A Big Mistake!

In a moment, you will discover 10 questions you must ask before choosing any Doctor of Chiropractic. But first, let’s review what most Chiropractors do so you know why this form of care is so popular and effective!

Doctors of Chiropractic relieve pain, and restore proper motion and function to the body by relieving pressure on nerves, muscles and joints. If you have any chronic back or neck pain, for example…you probably know that taking drugs only masks the symptoms temporarily and does nothing to actually correct the cause of the pain. And, you certainly know that surgery can be a very risky and often ineffective method to relieve your pain as well.
There are literally countless examples of patients who could not get better with traditional methods…yet found quick and long lasting relief from Chiropractic adjustments that required no drugs, and no surgery!

So what should you ask a Doctor of Chiropractic BEFORE agreeing to care? Let’s review these issues now:

Prior to care, a Chiropractor should ask detailed questions about your past and present health, do a complete physical exam, and order x-rays or other tests when necessary.
He or she should analyze your posture and carefully examine your spinal column while you stand, and sit, and then check the range of motion of various joints. Then he or she will come up with a diagnosis and an action plan. So for starters…

Do NOT agree to care from any Chiropractor that does not first provide you with a written explanation of:
1. What is causing or contributing to your problem,
2. An estimate of the costs involved, and
3. An action plan that details what specific care is needed…and why.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of doctors, including Chiropractors who treat every patient pretty much the same, regardless of their condition.

As you would expect, there’s a lot the doctor must know before you can decide what care is best for you, in your specific situation. He or she will want to know if your problem is caused, or aggravated by anything more serious, such as a broken bone, disc disease, osteoporosis, spinal arthritis, a tumor or an infection? Or…is it a simple problem that can be resolved within a reasonable period of time?

Here’s what you should know, and the 10 questions you must ask before choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic:

1. "What techniques do you use?"
– The correct answer is: It depends on what is wrong with you. Some Chiropractors are only proficient in one technique. The problem with this is that not every condition that Chiropractic care can help responds to just one technique. You need to know that there are many wonderful Chiropractic techniques that can be used to successfully correct and relieve your condition. For example, all of our doctors have training in at least a dozen different techniques, and use them all depending on the patient’s specific condition. We have many natural ways to relieve our patients’ pain…and restore their optimal range of motion, flexibility, and, most importantly, function!

2. “Do you take x-rays?”
– Be sure to seek a Chiropractor who takes x-rays to rule out fracture or a spinal pathology (English translation – some other serious problem) as indicated by the consultation, health history and exam. Caring for a patient without x-rays is like driving down a dark road at night without your headlights on! Unfortunately, there are some life and death conditions that can first express themselves with back, neck, or bone pain. X-rays also help us determine the health of your joints and discs and help us estimate how long it will take to get you to get better as well as what specific Chiropractic techniques will likely do the most good for you. If the doctor you’re consulting doesn’t take x-rays before recommending treatment, you should consider talking to another doctor.

3. “Will you give me your recommendations in writing?”
– This is very important. This allows you to go home and think about it before making a decision. Plus, it gives you an explanation up front of what the care will consist of, how long it will last, and how much it will cost.

4. “Can you furnish me with references?”
- Ask for five references. These references should be current patients, and the other two should be other doctors of Chiropractic. There are three reasons for getting patient and professional references. First, any person in practice should have at least three satisfied patients they can provide you with. Secondly, if a Chiropractic doctor cannot produce two other doctors of Chiropractic that will attest to his or her ability as a Chiropractor, he or she may not be respected by his or her peers. Feel FREE to call the references you receive. Many people ask for references, but never use them! Call all five people. You can never learn too much about the person you are considering using for your Chiropractic needs. Take the few minutes to talk to these people. It will be worth it!

5. “Do you have payment plans available?”
- Successful practices usually allow patients to make payments. For example, I allow both my cash and insurance patients to spread out their entire care, deductibles and co-pays into low monthly installments. This allows them to get the care they want without financial stress. Any successful practice will be able to work with you on the payments, whether you’re covered by insurance or not.

6. “Do you give a guarantee?”
– You should receive a 100% guarantee of unconditional satisfaction. While it is never possible (or even ethical) for a doctor to guarantee results, it is possible to refund your fee if you’re not happy. For example, an office that offers the following guarantee: “You’ll be totally satisfied with each office visit, or that visit is FREE!” shows you that they are putting their money where their mouth is. In our office, every patient knows that if they feel rushed or don’t get the attention they think they deserve, or aren’t satisfied with how they are treated that day…will get that visit FREE. Period!

7. “Will you make me wait endlessly to see the doctor?”
– A recent patient survey revealed that what irritates patients the most is when the doctor and the staff do not respect their time and make them wait excessively in the Reception Room. Now most doctors claim their patients don’t have to wait excessively. But, in our office, our policy is that no patient waits longer than 3-10 minutes to see the doctor…or that visit is FREE. If a doctor you’re considering going to isn’t willing to make such a waiting time guarantee, they may not be as respectful of your time as you deserve.

8. “Will you show me ways of preventing what you are treating?”
– I saw a sign the other day in my dentist’s office that read, “Support your dentist, eat more candy”. Although I know he’s joking, I spend a considerable amount of time customizing simple and easy ways for you to stay healthy…no matter what caused your problem to begin with. You’ll be thrilled to find out how quick and easy it is to prevent your pain from coming back without drugs or surgery. This prolongs the benefits of the care you’ve received; and helps prevent you from re-injuring yourself.

9. “Do you offer FREE consultations?”
– There’s no way a doctor should expect a patient to choose him or her without first visiting the office to see if the office, staff and doctor is for them. This will also give you a chance to talk to any of our patients while they are coming in and going out. Initially, I provide a FREE, NO OBLIGATION, consultation to determine if I can help you and answer any questions you may have about your condition or my treatment. No one in my office is going to pressure you into care or anything. This is simply a chance for you to meet us, and see if our services can benefit you. If after your FREE consultation, you decide you do not want to proceed with an exam, you simply leave and that’s that. If however, you do find that you could use our help, we will discuss the details of how we proceed from there.

10. “Can you get me in NOW?”
It is our goal to get every new or established patient in to see the doctor as soon as possible. We know that when you’re in pain, the last thing you need is to wait a week or two (or sometimes even months!) to get the help you need. If you call today, you’ll get in today. We promise!

Well I hope this information will give you the confidence in taking the first step to regaining your health by experiencing the benefits of Chiropractic care. By the way, here at the Pain & Injury Center of Lewisville, we do:
· Use multiple treatment techniques,
· Employ diagnostic tests such as x-rays,
· Furnish you my recommendations in writing,
· Furnish you patient and professional references,
· Offer sensible fee and payment plans,
· Guarantee the satisfaction of every office visit or that visit is FREE, PLUS, if you’re not happy with your results after a reasonable period of time, you’ll get your money back!
· Promise you will never wait more than 3-10 minutes or that visit is FREE,
· Provide you custom designed rehabilitation and prevention techniques.
· Urge you to tour my office and take advantage of my FREE, absolutely no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.
· Get you in today.

If you are ready to make an appointment for your FREE consultation, call our one of our offices now, while this is fresh on your mind…and you know EXACTLY what questions to ask BEFORE using our services for your pain relief!
And lastly, I hope this information has been helpful, and that whether you choose to come in to see us or not, that you’ve benefited from the knowledge you’ve been given. No matter what you decide to do, I wish you the best of health!

BONUS: Eight Warning Signs that you May Need a Different Chiropractor
My patients requested a list a pointers on how to find a good Chiropractor when they move, and tips on how to inform their friends in cases when they suspect brainwashing.

1. Wellness or maintenance treatment. This is a good way for a Chiropractor to make extra money, and a common reason many medical doctors don't refer to Chiropractors. There is no scientific evidence that when you feel good Chiropractic treatment can prevent or maintain anything. If you feel good and you Chiropractor still wants to see you, get a second opinion before continuing care.

2. Questionable diagnostics. If your Chiropractor tests your muscles, notes they are weak, and diagnoses an internal problem, the DC should refer you to an internist. On the other hand, if you have weak muscles because you are out of shape, a good Chiropractor will refer you to a therapist, a gym, or design a strengthening program for you. If your muscles are weak due to a serious disease, nerve problem or serious structural problem, your DC should refer you for a second opinion with a neurologist or orthopedist. Muscle testing alone should not be the reason your Chiropractor wants to continue to treat you if there is no pain.

3. Silly marketing gimmicks. Health fairs, swap meets, and shopping malls often have Chiropractors giving FREE spinal examinations. There are a variety of gimmicks designed to procure you as a patient. The most common one is a postural analysis. If you have poor posture and no pain, a Chiropractor should not want to manipulate you, but instead should design a workout or exercise program for you, or refer you to a therapist or trainer for such a program.

4. Treating areas that don't hurt. When you receive treatment, three things happen: You get better, you get worse, or you stay the same. If you feel good, only two things can occur: You stay the same or you get worse. If you go to a Chiropractor with lower back pain, the DC should not manipulate your neck unless you also have a neck problem. There is no evidence that performing neck manipulation can help your lower back or vice versa. If your Chiropractor insists on manipulating areas that don't hurt, get a second opinion before continuing care.

5. Excessive supplementation. Chiropractors take many nutrition classes in school. Beware of any Chiropractor who says his vitamins are the only ones that work. Beware of any Chiropractor that wants to sell you large amounts of supplements without referring you to a retailer or health-food store for comparable products at a considerably lower cost.

6. Excessive x-rays. Beware of any Chiropractor who uses x-rays for any reason other than to rule out a fracture, dislocation, or bone disease. X-rays should only be taken if you have sustained a recent traumatic injury and are in considerable pain and discomfort; are undergoing a history and examination indicate a possible bone disease such as arthritis; or have long-standing pain in an area that has not responded or resolved with care. No person is perfectly symmetrical; no one's spine is perfectly straight and balanced. If you are pain-FREE and your Chiropractor wants to continue treatment because of what an x-ray shows, get a second opinion before you continue care.

7. Excessive visits. When a Chiropractor treats you, you should feel better. It is not normal to be worse after treatment. Depending on the nature and extent of your problem, after a few visits you should notice considerable improvement. After one to four weeks, your pain should be reduced by 40-50 percent, depending on how severe and how extensive your original problem. Beware of any Chiropractor who recommends a three, six or 12-month treatment plan based on your first or second visit.

8. Unwillingness to work with other professionals. If you are not getting relief, you should not have to ask for a referral; your Chiropractor should have already recommended one for you. A good Chiropractor will have a strong working relationship with allied professionals of all specialties, including family practice physicians; orthopedists; neurologists; physiatrists; physical therapists; and athletic trainers.

What’s important is that you document your injuries now! Because not doing so may make any injuries you have get worse and they will become more difficult to treat down the road (meaning keeping you in pain longer), and it may also hurt your case.

If you’d like, after the test, we can schedule a time convenient for you to come in for a more thorough evaluation to pinpoint exactly where your injury is. Then, I will prepare a Recommended Action Plan for getting you out of pain as quickly and easily as possible, without using drugs and surgery that doesn’t work.

Even if you feel okay right now, if you were in an accident, you still run a high risk of suffering from a hidden injury. It’s best to play it safe now and get checked out to make sure you really are okay.

The slightest injury, even one that you don’t feel right now, may lead to a terrible condition down the road called ‘osteoarthritis.’ While it is possible to treat it, it takes a long time, and sometimes is impossible to cure 100%. Worse yet, you may have to foot the bill! And all because someone hit you 20 years before!

While this is still fresh in your mind, call my office at 972-436-4434 and pick a time convenient for you to come in for your injury evaluation. If you’re calling after the office closes for the day, leave a message and a number we can reach you at tomorrow, and one of my assistants will call you then.

Whatever you decide to do, remember, you need to document your injuries as soon as possible in order to get the care you may need and to do that, you need to be checked out by a doctor with the training and experience to diagnose and treat the hidden injuries we've talked about in this report.

If you have family or friends that may have similar types of pain as you do, they also have the option to come in for a their FREE Evaluation Test.
Just give the office a call. We will be happy to schedule a FREE evaluation for them as well just to make sure everyone is really okay.

If your children are in any type of physical sports, it’s vital that they are evaluated as well to ensure their bodies are in good working order and are not subjected to unnecessary pain, suffering, or physical problems later in life. Don’t worry, if we do detect an injury, our care is both safe and effective for children of all ages. Both of my kids have been getting treatments since they were hours old. Believe me, I would not adjust them if I thought it would cause any harm to my little angels.

I hope you’ve benefited from discovering the truth about Hidden Car Accident Injuries - the same truth many people out there don’t want youto know. if you’re planning on seeking legal representation, the sooner you document your injuries, the better your case will turn out.

If you have been injured and would like a free consultation, second opinion, or need care for your injury, call one of my offices and I will be happy to help you. You do NOT need pre-authorization from the insurance company, and you do NOT need to call them first.

Thank you for you time and I hope reading this report was helpful to you!

Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew J. DeGaetano


P.S. – Don’t forget, many doctors are not trained to diagnose and treat hidden car accident injuries. So, if you DO suffer from a hidden injury, almost any treatment your doctor is giving you may be ineffective and may even be harmful to you!

P.P.S. – You need to document your injuries as quickly as possible for two reasons: (1) It will help your legal case if you choose to go that route, and (2) The quicker an injury is diagnosed, the less severe it will be, and the easier it will be to treat. That means you’ll be out of pain faster and back to living your life the way it was before the accident.