EDUCATION AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE MATTERS
when Choosing a Chiropractor
How do you choose a chiropractor?
Do you know how to choose a chiropractor? It’s not like a medication where the cost is the only difference. It’s the education of the medical team and their ability to properly diagnose the cause of your condition or pain and to be able to properly provide treatment.
But how do you know who is the best chiropractor? First, recognize there is a difference between “5 Star Quality Patient Care” and “Chain Chiropractic Clinics.” When you choose a chiropractor who provides “5 Star Quality Patient Care,” you will find that these chiropractors have the education and clinical experience to perform the following:
- take a history to understand the patient’s condition or pain,
- perform a physical examination,
- use diagnostics, such as x-rays and MRI,
- formulate a diagnosis based on the history, physical examination, and diagnostics, and
- prepare a treatment plan.
The treatment plan should incorporate physical therapy modalities, manipulations of the spine or extremities, and have a time frame to determine if the treatment plan is producing the desired outcomes and results.
How do you know if your treatment plan is working?
You will know your treatment plan is working if your symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, improve, and you are able to function better – whether it is walking, sitting, bending, and/or lifting.
Chiropractors who are well-educated and have clinical experience establish patient goals. The patient goals should include:
- Short Term Goals: Decrease pain by reducing inflammation to the affected area of concern and improve range of motion and function.
- Long Term Goals: Allow the patient to heal with home exercise to properly strengthen and stabilize the core muscles and decrease the need for clinic-based care.
Good chiropractors strive to keep a patient’s pain and inflammatory medication to a minimum to avoid long-term side effects or addiction to the medications. Again, a chiropractor’s education and clinical experience is important when choosing a chiropractor.
What is the education of the chiropractors at Chiro-Med?
The chiropractors at Chiro-Med S.C. have been well educated. Both doctors attended undergraduate colleges in Wisconsin. Dr. Ropicky attended the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, and Dr. Zraik attended Carroll University. Both doctors graduated from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. National University of Health Sciences is rated as an excellent college that provides a great education because of the focus on taking a medical approach, which leads to better diagnosis and the ability to treat a patient’s condition or pain. The undergraduate and chiropractic college education that Dr. Ropicky and Dr. Zraik completed took 8 years. In addition, Dr. Ropicky has the highest level of chiropractic education, which is a diplomate status and is also nationally certified to diagnose and treat sports injuries. He has received many awards, including Rehabilitation Doctor of the Year.
Dr. Zraik (left) and Dr. Ropicky (right) graduated from National University of Health Sciences. National University of Health Sciences is rated as an excellent college that provides a great education because of the focus on taking a medical approach, which leads to better diagnosis and the ability to treat a patient’s condition or pain.
What is the treatment approach at Chiro-Med?
Chiro-Med follows the treatment approach of properly documenting a patient’s care, including the history, physical examination, interpretation of the diagnostics, identification of a proper diagnosis, and the formulation of a treatment plan. The chiropractors at Chiro-Med then re-evaluate the patient as progress is made and teaches proper home exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and balance to prevent future pain and injuries.
The chiropractors and staff at Chiro-Med S.C. have served Waukesha County for the past 36 years. The clinic has been awarded “Clinic of the Year” and “Patient 5-Star Satisfaction.” In addition, Chiro-Med received awards for the education and opportunities that are provided to Waukesha High School students through the Health Occupations Coop Program.
Chiro-Med S.C. is a modern clinic that provides patient comfort and convenience.
The clinic has extended patient hours 5 days a week with walk-ins welcome. Immediate care and same day appointments are also available.
How does Chiro-Med S.C. provide 5 Star Quality Patient Care?
Chiro-Med S.C. has developed systems and protocols to deliver the “5 Star Quality Patient Care” with professionalism. The chiropractors take a multidisciplinary approach to care by providing the following: chiropractic manipulations (manual or instrumental), physical therapy modalities, hot or cold applications, electrical stimulations, ultrasound, infrared/laser therapy, dry needling, neck/low back tractions/decompression, intersegmental spinal traction, and rehabilitation (home-based exercises for the core or extremities of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and leg). The clinic also is fully staffed.
What types of injuries does Chiro-Med S.C. treat?
The injuries range from home-based slips and falls, strains and sprains to chronic arthritic conditions. The mechanism of the injuries range from: auto accidents, work-related injuries and sports injuries. The injuries successfully treated include spinal, neck, mid to low back, and extremities, including upper arms to lower legs. Most injuries respond to care the sooner they are recognized and treated.
Does a chiropractor’s education and clinical experience really matter? The answer is “yes.” A chiropractor’s education and clinical experience, as well as a clinic that is properly equipped allows for better patient clinical outcomes. It’s wise to choose a chiropractor who focuses on providing “5 Star Quality Patient Care” and not just a “Chain Chiropractic Clinic.” Chiro-Med S.C. is committed to providing 5 Star Quality Patient Care for every patient. Lastly, if your condition does not respond to conservative chiropractic care, the chiropractors will assist you with the referral process to a medical physician or specialist, ensuring you receive care quickly. For more information about Chiro-Med S.C., please call 262-542-4700.