Climbing with a TENS unit after using it at my chiro office.

Climbing is hard on the body, and particularly, the traps (trapezius). As a physician, many climbers come to me with their chronic pains. I would say, about 90% of them revolve around the traps. Just this week, I injured my traps doing weighted pullups. So who can help you with your trap pain? My first go to are chiropractors and dry needlers.

I LOVE CHIROPRACTORS. I know there is a lot of taboo around them. They are quacks. They do pseudoscience. They’ll kill you. Just like any field, there are good and bad ones. But the field of chiropractic medicine is safe, helpful, and has been around a long time. I’ve been seeing chiros since I was 12 to help manage my Ehler-Danlos syndrome. They have been a life saver for me and the only reason I’ve been able to maintain my athletic abilities. Since I’ve moved quite a bit over the past 25 years, I’ve had to regularly find a new chiropractor. Here are my tips to finding the best chiropractor for you.

My absolute favorite adjustment!!

1) Ask your friends for recommendations

2) Look for "Sports” or “Athlete” on the chiropractor’s website.

It is important an athlete to find someone who understands sports and what it means to be an athlete. If a chiro tells me the answer to my injury is to stop climbing, I don’t see them again. As a high level athlete, there’s always going to be something going on. I can’t stop climbing with every small injury or else, I’d never climb. One of my favorite chiropractors has his practice inside of an elite martial arts gym because he focuses on serious athletes. He has never once told me to stop climbing, so I know the day he says Favia, you should take a couple of weeks off, I need to listen.

3) Avoid Car Accident only chiropractors

If the website heavily talks about car accidents and not about sports and wellness, I would try other chiropractors first.

Cupping after learning how to do it from my chiro

4) Check their services

What chiropractors can do varies state by states. Some can do dry needling and some can’t. If you live in a state that chiropractors do dry needling, then I highly recommend finding a chiropractor who can do it. The best treatments usually combine adjustments with needle work. Finding one person who can do it all is very convenient! Also, check to see if the chiro does soft tissue work. I have found that adjustments without soft tissue work is less effective. Do they offer cupping and kinesio tape? Those are others bonuses!

Okay, Now you have a found a Sports medicine chiropractor that the website says they needle, tape, and cup! Sounds perfect. Here is what to look for in person.

1) Do they listen to you?

2) Do They do a thorough physical exam?

A physical exam is essential to a chiropractor since their job is to address muscles, bones, joints. If they begin adjusting you without a good exam, that means they are doing a generic treatment plan for anyone who walks in the door.

3) Do they spend more than 10 minutes with you?

There’s a new trend in the chiropractor scene, where they have a large open room with patients on tables. This is the most efficient way for a chiropractor to see the most amount of patients in a hour. However, it typically means they are only spending a few minutes at most with each person. That’s just not enough time to do a thorough job of healing.

4) Do they make you feel better?

My injuries typically don’t resolve with a single chiropractor visit, but I usually feel some what better within the following 24 hours (and usually instantly). If you aren’t feeling better after 2 visits, it’s time to move on to another chiropractor.

I hope you stay injury free, but if you don’t, I hope these tips help you find the chiropractor who is right for you!

Injured? Tips for finding a good chiropractor