Choose The Provider, Not The Treatment

Patients ask me all the time, "What treatment works?" Does ultrasound work? Does massage therapy work? What about acupuncture? Does physical therapy help? What about surgery? And, of course, they especially want to know if structural chiropractic works - and even other forms of chiropractic.

BUT it's not the best question. Whether you are in favor of one therapy over another, or against it, the more important consideration will always be the quality of the individual practitioner. Are they intellectually honest? Do they care about you as a person? How are they in honing their skills? These are by far the most important variables one MUST consider when it comes to quality of care. Find a professional with such qualities and I can tell you that they are not in the business of selling you anything. Get stuck with a dishonest or incompetent professional, no matter how many letters or titles they have after their last name - you absolutely don't want to pay them to do anything to you and your health.

"The effectiveness or ineffectiveness of therapists bears little relationship to either the type or duration of their training." - Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians

While it's true that everyone that graduates from any chosen health profession still comes out a health professional, no matter what - the skill set is what sets them apart. Mind you, not all forms of treatment or therapy is going to work 100% of the time. But the intelligence and ethical responsibility of the health care professional is paramount in delivering quality care to the masses.

Doctors - Friends or Enemies?

Before I became a structural chiropractor, I was a registered nurse first. Throughout my professional career, I've encountered and worked with brilliant medical doctors, intelligent nurses and highly skillful physical therapists. Some do great work while others just didn't care and it reflected in the work that they do.

As much as I hate to admit it, the chiropractic profession is no stranger from having its own set of bad apples. From economic abuse of patients (recommending too much care that they didn't need), cynical marketing tactics, providing services that are not patient-condition specific, and others that disregard state board regulations. Needless to say, you ought to educate yourself.

Caveat Emptor

Of course, the quality of the healthcare provider is not the only thing that matters - it's just the MOST important. Unfortunately, looking for the right fit who will deliver the best with a good heart and brain is a challenging task. As a prospective patient looking for help, word-of-mouth or referral from credible providers seem to be your best bet.

If you are still on the cusp of deciding whether one therapy or treatment works better than another then I say that you should stop right there. Instead, seek for a good provider or therapist because a good healthcare professional will direct you to the correct treatment. Their decisions are not driven by economics but rather the best treatment and evidence available. A true healthcare professional will do this because their reputation is on the line and that's the difference between mediocre to great doctors. As the cartoon above says, "you get what you pay for!"

What To Look For...

As uncomfortable as it is, YOU (as a prospective patient) need to empower yourself to tell the doctor or therapist that you are just "checking them out." Similar to buying a home or a car, you need to do your homework and due diligence. Here is what I recommend you "check out:"

1. Are they willing to LISTEN to you and your health issues?
2. Are they UPFRONT in what they do?
3. Are they TRANSPARENT about: costs, length of treatment, and requirements - even BEFORE they do an examination?
4. Do they TELL you as a prospective patient that you might not be a candidate for what they do? (and if you aren't will they direct you to the right provider?)
5. Do they provide OPTIONS outside of what they do?
6. Will they be there as a HEALTH RESOURCE even though you do not become their patient?

If none of the above fits the criteria, you have the right to WALK AWAY.

As a healthcare provider, I urge you to try different providers that are compassionate, knowledgeable and honest. It might take you a while but when you do find him or her - they will treat you as a human being.