What Makes a “Good” Chiropractor?

(And how to spot the difference before it’s too late)

Not all chiropractors are the same.
Not in their training, approach, technique, or even how they think about your body.
That’s why one person might rave about their chiropractor, while another walks away disappointed, frustrated — or no better than when they arrived.

So how do you know if the chiropractor you’re considering is actually good?

Let’s break it down.

First, We Must Define What “Good” Means

A good chiropractor isn’t just someone who makes your back crack.

A good chiropractor should:

• Listen carefully to your concerns
• Perform a proper, thorough assessment
• Explain what’s going on in your body in a way that makes sense
• Offer a clear, individualised plan (not a cookie-cutter one)
• Monitor progress, not just repeat the same adjustment each week
• Treat the cause — not just the symptom

And most importantly: they should care more about your outcome than your follow-up appointment.

Technician vs. Clinician: Know the Difference

This is key.

There are two kinds of chiropractors:

The Technician:

• Follows a routine
• Adjusts the same way every time
• Doesn’t change the approach no matter how your body responds
• May give everyone the same treatment plan

The Clinician:

• Assesses your structure and function every visit
• Adapts your care to what your body needs that day
• Knows when not to adjust
• Tracks changes and adjusts the plan as your body improves

A technician does chiropractic to you.
A clinician works with your body.
You want a clinician.

Red Flags to Watch For

Here are signs that you may want to keep looking:

• They give you a treatment plan before examining you
If you’re being told how many sessions you’ll need before they’ve even looked at your spine, that’s a red flag.

• They claim to “cure” everything
Chiropractic can be life-changing, but it’s not a miracle cure. Be cautious of big, bold claims that sound too good to be true.

• They don’t explain anything
If you don’t know what they’re doing or why — or you leave with more questions than answers — that’s a problem.

• You get adjusted the same way every visit, regardless of how you feel
Your body isn’t the same every day. Your care shouldn’t be either.

Questions to Ask Before Starting Care

Want to feel confident before your first session? Ask these:

1. What is your approach to care?
   Look for answers that mention structure, function, and individualisation — not just “we adjust the spine.”
2. How do you assess what’s wrong?
   A good chiropractor should describe a process — not just “feeling with their hands.”
3. How do you know if it’s working?
   There should be a system in place to track changes, re-evaluate your progress, and adjust the plan if needed.
4. What if I don’t want my neck adjusted?
   A good chiropractor will respect your comfort and offer alternative techniques if needed.
5. Do I have to come forever?
   The honest answer should always be: “No.”
   Correction takes time, but it shouldn’t be a lifetime commitment (unless you want it to be).

The Bottom Line

A “good” chiropractor isn’t just someone with the right letters after their name.
It’s someone who takes the time to understand your body, explain your options, and tailor your care to what you need — not just what’s on the schedule.
When you know what to look for (and what to avoid), you’ll feel more confident, more informed, and more likely to get the results you came for.