Around 80% of adult Americans suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. 20% of those who have acute lower back pain end up with chronic pain, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
Chances are, you’re one of these Americans, and you’re desperate for some relief. One way you can get it is by making an appointment with a chiropractor.
You may be thinking: how much is a chiropractor? If so, then keep reading! We’ll break down what chiropractors do, how much they typically charge, and more.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
A chiropractor is a professional who specializes in treating the musculoskeletal system. They usually have a focus on the spine, as that’s where the majority of issues come from. They can also treat issues with your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
You may have heard of some people getting adjustments for their backs; you’d see a chiropractor for this.
While chiropractors aren’t officially doctors, they do go through extensive training to become good at diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems. They hold undergraduate science degrees and have also been through 4-year chiropractic programs that give them hands-on experience, as well as a thorough education in physiology.
In the United States, all chiropractors are required to get a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited college that’s associated with the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).
Just like with regular doctors, some chiropractors choose to have a specialization. If they do, then they have to do an additional 2 or 3 years of residency.
How Much Is a Chiropractor?
If you’ve been Googling “chiropractic services near me,” then you probably know that there isn’t one set price. Like with your general practitioner or other doctors, there are certain prices for particular services.
In general, a session can range from $30 to $200! Obviously, the price will depend on how severe your musculoskeletal issues are and what treatments are needed.
Below, we’ll explore what the price ranges are for different chiropractic services so you know what to expect.
Initial Consultation
When you go in for an initial consultation, it may cost anywhere from $60 to $160. This is because not only are you speaking to the chiropractor about your health issues, but they’ll usually do an overall health examination.
The good news is, some chiropractic offices give free initial consultations to new patients. If you aren’t too sure about chiropractics and/or the doctor you’re seeing, then you may want to go with one that offers this. That way, you can be 100% certain with proceeding, all without having to spend a dime.
Vertebrae Adjustment
As we’ve said above, vertebrae adjustments are something very commonly done by chiropractors. You may be seeking one out for this particular service.
In general, you can expect to pay around $65 for one.
Other Services
Since your chiropractor may need to get a better idea on your body’s health before proceeding with treatment, they may need to charge you for some additional services.
Below are some additional services and their approximate costs:
- X-rays: $44 to $159
- MRI scanning: $100 to $400
- Electromyography (EMG): $200
- Thermography: $200 to $500
- Radiography: $50 to $150
- Diathermy: $10 to $50
- Hydrotherapy: $50 to $500
- Ultrasound therapy: $20 to $25
- Laser treatment: $200
- Electrical muscular stimulation: $20 to $250
Other Factors You Need to Consider
Besides these average costs that we’ve listed, there are other factors you need to consider regarding the prices of chiropractic services.
The Chiropractor’s Experience
For chiropractors who are well-established and have many years of experience, they may charge a lot more than one who’s just starting out and doesn’t have many clients.
This is expected in practically all professions, as these people have worked hard throughout the years to hone their skills and establish a good reputation with the community.
Also, they may have gone through additional training and education, which means they have valuable services. They may have even trained others to join their practice.
As a result of their extensive knowledge and experience, these chiropractors probably also have better equipment in their offices.
Your Insurance
In general, chiropractic services are considered as alternative medicine. However, many insurance plans will cover at least part of your costs. Your workers’ compensation may as well.
How much coverage you’ll get depends on the insurance company you’re with and the policy you’ve taken out. Make sure you check with your insurance company before visiting the chiropractor so you know what’s covered and what’s not.
Where You Live
In general, prices for chiropractic services will be most expensive in the South and cheapest in the Midwest. However, the averages are $70 and $60, which isn’t too much of a difference.
Some areas will cost a lot more or less due to taxes, rent, and cost of living. For example, a chiropractic office in Los Angeles will charge much more than one in Omaha.
How Often You Need Treatment
While the average price for treatment is around $65, how often you need it will affect how much you pay drastically.
For instance, if it’s a one-off visit, then $65 is all you pay. But if you need ongoing treatment for the foreseeable future, and you need to go in every week, then that can really put a dent in your wallet.
Get Relief From Your Pain
How much is a chiropractor? Well, it depends.
As you can see, factors that affect the price of a chiropractor include what services you seek out, how often you need it, the chiropractor’s experience, and where you live.
But don’t let this scare you off. Just make sure you do your research and go with a chiropractor who’s upfront with you about everything. If a doctor’s service doesn’t sit right with you, always go with your gut feeling and choose a better chiropractor.
For more interesting reads, please check out our other blog posts.