Be sure the chiropractor is licensed to practice in your state.

Find out if he/she has attended an accredited chiropractic college.

Ask the chiropractor's office to describe what techniques the chiropractor uses. What his/her beliefs are about chiropractic and more.

You can evaluate a chiropractor by asking about these criteria:

When You Visit a Chiropractor:

Chiropractors take a complete health history of the patient and discuss his/her specific problem as well as overall lifestyle.

Common questions concern family history, dietary habits, prior treatment received, job duties and others to determine other important health information.

If necessary a complete health examination is performed, which includes X-rays, measurement of blood pressure, laboratory analysis or other accepted specific tests to determine general health condition and any specific problems. Also, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities that might affect a patient's particular health condition.

Chiropractors may find a significant connection between a bump, jar or fall a patient experienced many years ago and the patient's present health problem.

Only after a chiropractor determines that your condition could be helped with chiropractic does he or she initiate care. Specific procedures are determined by careful evaluation of the patient's X-rays, laboratory test and physical findings.

Care often involves corrective spinal adjustments; however, adjunctive therapies may be used to supplement the adjustments.