Choosing a Chiropractor. What to Look For

San Francisco Chiropractor Dr. Eben Davis comments:

I am often asked if I can find someone a good chiropractor in another city or state. Of course this is easy if I happen to know someone there. But, if I don't it's really hard. You see, I like to actually meet a chiropractor before I recommend them. In addition, I like to visit their office and see how they run their clinic and manage their patients and staff.

For one thing...I find it hard to recommend a chiropractor that does not take really good care of themselves. I don't see how a chiropractic doctor can make recommendations to a patient about their health and well being if they do not practice what they preach. I also like to see a clinic that is very tidy, clean, and well organized. Chances are...if the clinic is a sloppy...so is the doctor...and so is the treatment.

So, if the doctor looks like he/she takes good care of themselves, and the clinic appears to be well run and organized, we move on to the next step. Now I want to know the chiropractors treatment philosophy and technique. There are hundreds of chiropractic techniques (most of them good), but there is really only one fundamental chiropractic philosophy. The philosophy of chiropractic is based on the major premise that the body is a self healing organism.

You are born with the ability to run and reorganize your own physiology, on an ongoing basis. You do not need to go to school to learn how to do this, it is innate (born with), and it is intelligent (it is not random, it is organized). Chiropractic Philosophy refers to this inborn wisdom as the Innate Intelligence.

The purpose of the Innate Intelligence is to maintain Life. The Innate Intelligence (wisdom of the body) uses the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) to control and coordinate all the bodily functions. The bones of the skull and spine house and protect the brain and spinal cord. When the bones are in their proper alignment the Innate Intelligence is able to control and regulate all the bodily functions at 100%. If the bones move out of their normal alignment (Subluxation), they will offend and irritate the same nerves they were designed to protect, resulting in dis-ease and symptoms.

Chiropractors correct subluxations by hand (or instrumentation). This is called an adjustment. Adjustments restore control to the Innate Intelligence. The Innate Intelligence knows what to do, every time. It is never wrong. So we learn to work with it to maintain or restore harmony and balance. 

A Chiropractor that is philosophically sound will be working with the major premise of the profession in mind at all times. This is what I look for. I can figure out in 30 minutes if a chiropractor is for real. If they are, I will refer to them. If they aren't, I wont.

I know it's hard for the general public to choose a chiropractor (based on what I have described) because they are not armed with this knowledge. The next best thing is to attend a class. Any good chiropractor should be giving classes and should be able to explain what they do, and why they do it. It's part of the deal, we are teachers. If the chiropractor does not have a class (they really should), then ask around and try to get a good solid recommendation. Last on the list should be going to a chiropractor just because your insurance will pay for it. If you do this, at least check them out online and see if they are taking the time to educate the community with a website or blog.

I tell patients that come to me because I am on their insurance plan, that they got lucky. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't. Do your homework. If you do, chances are it will pay off.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at my San Francisco Financial District Chiropractic Center, simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary chiropractic consultation. Or, ask to attend our next Chiropractic Health Talk, every Tuesday at 12:30pm.