Question
I have gastroparesis (paralzyed stomach) caused by damage to the vagus nerve during surgery.  I believe I have been helped with this problem before with chiropractic treatment but now I have to find a new chiropractor as the condition has worsened. How do I go about finding the right one?  What questions do I ask? Is there information on this subject for Chiropractors?
I'm in Australia.  Thank you.

Answer
Wendy,

First, I don't believe treatment of gastroparesis is a condition that chiropractors specifically treat.  There are various case reports of chiropractic helping people with internal disorders.  The bottom line is that you found something that you feel helps.  Below is my personal opinion on finding the right chiropractor:

?  Does the doctor use a "diversified" technique?? This is the basic 揾ands-on?style that is mainstream in chiropractic.  Avoid DC抯 who just use an Activator Instrument, just subscribe to one (fringe) treatment method, such as Activator, Pettibon, Upper Cervical, Gonstead, non-force only, B.E.S.T., 揘etwork,?AK, just to name a few.
?  Does the doctor do any hands-on muscle techniques? (massaging, stretching, fascial release techniques, etc.)
?  Are adjunctive physio-therapy procedures employed, like ultrasound or exercise training?  
?  Is there a mandatory x-ray policy? (慙ike looking for a 慴one out of place.?If so, then find another DC)
?  How long is the typical treatment session with the DC? If it's any less than five minutes, then odds are you are not going to get hands-on techniques beyond a quick spine adjustment.  While sometimes you may only need a 2 minute tune up, many people need more than just a few bones adjusted.
 
?     Check the chiropractor out.  Look their web site or office materials.  If they tout being anti-medical, or try selling you a stuff you don't believe you need, or fail to explain logically why you need treatment, then look elsewhere.