How to Choose the Right Chiropractor in Simi Valley

If you’ve searched Google for a chiropractor in Simi Valley, you’ve probably noticed there are plenty of choices.

So how do you know which chiropractor is right for you?

At Simi Spine & Wellness, we believe choosing a chiropractor shouldn’t simply be about finding the closest office or the first name that appears in a Google search. It should be about finding a doctor who listens to you, understands what you’re trying to accomplish, and develops a plan based on your individual needs.

I’m Dr. Shawn DeCloedt, owner of Simi Spine & Wellness, and I’ve spent years helping people in our community get back to doing the things they love.

Whether that’s working without back pain, getting back on the field, keeping up with your kids, improving mobility, or simply waking up and feeling better, our philosophy is pretty simple:

Feel Better • Move Better • Live Better.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

Many people think chiropractic care is simply about getting your back “cracked.”

There’s much more to it than that.

Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, particularly the relationship between the spine, joints, muscles, movement, and nervous system.

People commonly visit our Simi Valley chiropractic office for concerns such as:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Disc-related problems
• Shoulder discomfort
• Sports injuries
• Muscle tightness
• Limited mobility
• Pain following an automobile accident
• General stiffness and difficulty moving

The first step isn’t automatically an adjustment.

It should be figuring out why you’re hurting and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

What Should You Look for in a Simi Valley Chiropractor?

When you’re searching for the best chiropractor in Simi Valley for your needs, there are several things worth considering.

1. Does the Chiropractor Listen to You?

This sounds simple, but it’s incredibly important.

You know your body better than anyone else.

A good evaluation starts with a conversation about what hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, previous injuries, and, most importantly, what the problem is preventing you from doing.

Maybe your goal isn’t simply to make your back hurt less.

Maybe you want to golf again.

Maybe you want to play with your grandchildren.

Maybe you’re an athlete trying to get back on the field.

Maybe you just want to sit through your workday without constantly thinking about your back.

Those goals matter.

2. Do They Perform an Evaluation?

Not everyone who walks into a chiropractic office needs exactly the same treatment.

Your care should begin with an appropriate history and examination.

Depending on the situation, that may include evaluating things such as:

• Range of motion
• Posture
• Joint movement
• Muscle function
• Orthopedic findings
• Neurological findings
• Previous imaging or medical history

The purpose is to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine an appropriate course of care.

3. Do They Offer More Than One Treatment Option?

This is one of the things that makes Simi Spine & Wellness different.

An adjustment can be an important part of chiropractic care, but it isn’t the only tool available.

Depending on the patient’s condition and evaluation, care at our office may incorporate services such as:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Non-surgical spinal decompression
• Flexion-distraction
• Massage therapy
• Assisted stretching
• Cold laser therapy
• PEMF therapy
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Cupping
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques
• Kinesiology taping
• Corrective exercise and mobility work

Not every patient needs every service.

The important part is having options.

Chiropractic Care for Back Pain

One of the most common reasons people search for a chiropractor in Simi Valley is back pain.

Back pain can develop for many reasons.

Sometimes there’s an obvious event such as lifting something heavy, playing a sport, falling, or being involved in an automobile accident.

Other times it develops gradually.

Long hours sitting at a desk, repetitive movement, reduced mobility, physical work, previous injuries, and changes in activity can all contribute to back discomfort.

That’s why treating every patient exactly the same doesn’t make sense.

At Simi Spine & Wellness, we want to determine what’s happening before deciding what type of care may be appropriate.

What About Sciatica?

Sciatica is another reason people come into our office.

Sciatic-type pain can travel from the lower back or buttock into the leg and may be associated with symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.

There can be different causes for these symptoms, which is why an evaluation is important.

For some patients, chiropractic care may be appropriate. For others, treatments such as non-surgical spinal decompression or additional co-management may be considered depending on the findings.

We’ll be covering sciatica extensively in upcoming articles, because understanding the cause of the symptoms is an important part of determining what to do next.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in Simi Valley

Simi Spine & Wellness also offers non-surgical spinal decompression.

Spinal decompression is different from a traditional chiropractic adjustment.

It uses controlled mechanical distraction designed to gently stretch and unload areas of the spine.

It may be considered as part of a treatment plan for certain patients with conditions involving the discs or nerve irritation.

Whether decompression is appropriate depends on the individual, which is why we evaluate patients before recommending it.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes

Sports have always been an important part of our practice.

We work with athletes ranging from young competitors to adults who simply want to continue participating in the activities they love.

Athletes place unique demands on their bodies.

The goal isn’t always just getting someone out of pain.

We also look at things such as:

• Mobility
• Joint function
• Recovery
• Muscle tightness
• Previous injuries
• Repetitive stress
• Movement

Whether you play football, lacrosse, baseball, run, cycle, lift weights, or simply train on the weekends, keeping your body moving well can be an important part of staying active.

Do You Have to Be in Pain to See a Chiropractor?

No.

While pain brings many patients through our doors, other people seek chiropractic care because they’re stiff, aren’t moving the way they’d like, or want to stay active.

Think about your car.

You don’t wait until the engine completely fails before you start paying attention to it.

Your body deserves at least that much attention.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs the same schedule of chiropractic care. It means taking care of your body before small problems become bigger obstacles can make sense for many people.

What Happens at Your First Visit?

If you’re visiting Simi Spine & Wellness for the first time, our first priority is understanding you.

We’ll discuss what brought you into the office, your health and injury history, what you’re experiencing now, and what you’d like to get back to doing.

An appropriate examination can then help us determine what may be contributing to the problem.

If chiropractic care is appropriate, we’ll discuss your options.

And if we believe your condition needs additional medical evaluation or another type of provider, we’ll tell you that too.

The goal isn’t to treat everyone.

The goal is to help you determine the right next step.

Looking for a Chiropractor Near You?

If you’re searching Google for a “chiropractor near me” and you’re in Simi Valley or one of our surrounding communities, we’d love the opportunity to meet you.

Simi Spine & Wellness has been built around a simple philosophy:

Treat people like people.

Listen.

Figure out what’s going on.

Explain it in language that makes sense.

And then develop a plan designed around the person standing in front of us.

No two patients are exactly alike, and their care shouldn’t be either.

This article is provided for general educational purposes and should not be considered individualized medical advice. An examination and appropriate evaluation are necessary before making treatment recommendations.