How much does a chiropractor visit cost

Asking how much a chiropractor costs might be a simple question, but the answer is a lot more complicated. Whether or not you have insurance, which state you live in, what type of treatment you need, and which office you choose all play a part in deciding how much your bill will be.

To give you a helping hand, here’s an overview of how much the average chiropractor visit costs and extras you may have to pay for.

How much will my chiropractor visit cost?

Although it should never deter you from seeking medical assistance, it’s important you understand how much chiropractic services cost if you need them. Fees vary widely and how much you need to pay will largely depend on your own personal circumstances.

At Centro Chiropractic, we offer all our new patients a free consultation to discuss medical and financial needs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you start feeling great again.

As well as advising you on treatment, we’ll give you guidance on the best way to keep your costs down. Depending on which insurance company you’re covered by, you could pay $0 out of pocket for a chiropractic session. Even if you don’t have any medical insurance, chiropractor visits are still affordable for most budgets.

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Exactly what you’re paying for

It’s easier to understand chiropractor rates when you know what you’re paying for. Like all medical professionals, chiropractors have completed extensive medical training and education before they begin practicing in clinics.

As well as completing a four-year undergraduate degree, chiropractors need to complete up to five years of specialist training in chiropractics. After this, they still need to complete 1,000s of hours of hands-on work before they can open their own office or work in a clinic.

To provide you with the best care, chiropractors are continuously learning and training. Courses, lectures, and workshops can all be incredibly expensive, but they’re necessary to stay up-to-date with the latest chiropractic techniques and discoveries.

Don’t forget about the specialist equipment a chiropractor uses which needs to be regularly maintained and replaced. There’s also the cost of the physical office to take into consideration, as well as payroll for any assistants and front office staff.

When you add everything up, a chiropractor can be $100,000+ in debt before they’ve helped a single patient. As they work in such a specialist industry that requires around one decade of training and education, it’s only fair that they charge a reasonable fee.

Average chiropractor cost

Chiropractic services vary hugely and depend on a number of different factors. Your location, the reason you need chiropractic care, your care provider, and your treatment plan all play a role in how much you pay. Depending on your circumstances, you can pay anywhere between $30 and $200 per session. 

However, the average chiropractor cost in the US for a basic treatment (like a chiropractic massage) is around $65. This increases up to $70 per treatment in the South and drops down to $60 per session in the Midwest. While $65 is the average chiropractor cost, there are many additional treatments and services which can increase how much you pay. 

Cost breakdown

When you visit your family doctor, some of the treatments and diagnostic equipment are included in the overall price and some come with an additional fee. It’s the same when you visit a chiropractor’s office. Some aspects of your treatment are included and some you’ll have to pay for separately.

Here’s a breakdown of the extra costs which are rarely included in the standard chiropractor fee: 

  • MRI scan: $100-$400. Gives the chiropractor comprehensive information about your body, particularly your musculoskeletal system.
  • EMG/SMG: $200+. Surface electromyography is used to measure the electrical activity of your muscles.
  • Thermography: $200-$500. Thermography calculates the energy and heat your nerves and soft tissues give off.
  • Radiography: $50-$150. Covers many types of medical imaging, from x-rays to CT scans.
  • Diathermy: $10-$50. Diathermy works by using electromagnetic therapy to help the tissues in your body relax by generating heat.
  • Hydrotherapy: $50-$500. A type of water therapy that most commonly involves a small pool or special bath. It can also be provided using wraps.
  • Ultrasound therapy: $20-25. Ultrasound therapy passes ultrasound waves through your body, relieving muscle spasms and improving joint function.
  • Laser treatment: $200+. Allows the chiropractor to target specific areas of the body using advanced lasers to relieve pain.
  • Electrical muscular stimulation: $20-$250. This form of chiropractic care uses electrodes to transmit energy into the body, alleviating muscle spasms and reducing pain.

Don’t let the price tags put you off. Depending on your injury or condition, a simple adjustment or massage may be enough to relieve your pain. It’s important to be honest with your chiropractor when discussing additional treatments. Let them know if you’re having financial struggles and they may be able to offer a more cost-effective alternative.

Affordable chiropractic care

Chiropractic care is considered to be affordable because it includes a lot of diagnostic tests and advanced treatment within the basic price. Here are some of the things most often included in an average chiropractor’s fee:

Standard adjustment table

A typical chiropractic adjustment table looks like a special massage table and is used to carry out initial diagnoses and make complex adjustments during appointments. All diagnoses and adjustments completed on the table are usually included in your chiropractor’s overall fee.

Specialist roller table

A chiropractor’s roller table is a way for the doctor to provide different forms of treatment that don’t suit a typical adjustment table. They’re particularly useful for massages and creating additional traction. Chiropractors generally don’t charge you extra when you need a treatment carried out on a specialist roller table — it’s most often included in the standard fee.

Computerized adjustment

Your chiropractor may use a handheld digital device for ultra-accurate minute adjustments that are too difficult to do manually. No matter how many computerized adjustments you need, they’re all usually included in the chiropractor’s final fee. 

Cheap chiropractic care?

There are some ways to lower your medical bills and get cheap chiropractic care. But you need to remember that the most important thing is to provide the best quality chiropractic care you can afford — not the cheapest care you can find.

Although it’s not always true, doctors that charge higher fees generally provide better care. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some tactics you can employ to get cheap quality chiropractic care.

If you’re struggling to find a chiropractor you can afford, consider looking in nearby states. Chiropractor sessions are generally the most expensive in the South and the cheapest in the Midwest. Prices can vary hugely and the difference you save can often be more than enough to cover the cost of transport.

Chiropractors that operate cash-only offices are also significantly cheaper than other practices. You can save as much as $57 per session by visiting a cash-only practice. This is because the doctor is not concerned about reimbursements from insurance companies, allowing them to charge cheaper rates.

You can also save a little extra by choosing a chiropractor with a single practice instead of a doctor that works as part of a medical group. Individual chiropractors charge around $63 per session, while those in teams generally charge around $70. It’s not much of a saving, but it can make a big difference over time.

Insurance coverage

Many insurance plans cover at least a basic level of chiropractic care and you’ll find that most chiropractors accept medical insurance. Coverage varies between companies, so it’s always best to check with your provider to confirm the details of your plan before making an appointment. 

Medicare Part B includes any chiropractic adjustments which are deemed to be medically necessary. However, you must verify that you meet their strict eligibility requirements before you can receive cover. In some states, chiropractic care is also covered by Medicaid. 

Even if your health insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care, there are still ways you can lower your spending. Treatment is a tax-deductible medical expense which you can include in your annual taxes. Many chiropractors also offer payment plans to help spread the cost. 

Are chiropractic adjustments worth it?

Chiropractic adjustment can be effective in treating low back pain, although much of the research done shows only a modest benefit — similar to the results of more-conventional treatments.

What is the average cost of a chiropractic adjustment?

How Much Do Chiropractic Adjustments Cost? Chiropractic adjustment cost varies depending on your location, your reason for care, your provider and your treatment plan. It varies widely and can range anywhere from $30 to $300 a visit.

How often should you see a chiropractor?

Depending on your preference and health situation, weekly or monthly visits could benefit you the most. If you're experiencing warning signs of upper back pain, for instance, you should make an appointment and see what your chiropractor recommends.