How to Find a Good Chiropractor in Sioux Falls: 8 Signs You've Found the Right One

I've been practicing chiropractic in Sioux Falls for nearly 50 years. In that time, I've met a lot of patients who came to me after trying other providers and feeling like something was off — not about chiropractic itself, but about the specific experience they had. They weren't sure what to look for, and that uncertainty cost them time, money, and in some cases, trust in care that genuinely could have helped them.

So I want to answer a question I see come up constantly: how do you know when you've found a good chiropractor?

Here are eight things I'd encourage any patient to look for — and I'll be straightforward with you about how we approach each of them at Back Specialists.

1. They Take a Thorough History Before Touching You

A chiropractor who adjusts you on your first visit without reviewing your health history is skipping one of the most important steps in safe, effective care.

At Back Specialists, your first visit always begins with a comprehensive consultation. We ask about your current symptoms, your history of injuries or surgeries, your daily activity level, and any conditions that might affect how we care for you. That intake process isn't a formality — it directly shapes every decision we make about your treatment.

If a chiropractor rushes past this step, that's worth paying attention to.

2. They Use a Technique That Makes Sense for Your Body

There is no single chiropractic technique that is right for everyone. The best chiropractors match their approach to the patient in front of them — not the other way around.

At Back Specialists, Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen and Dr. Sean Hagen practice exclusively with the Activator Method, a gentle, instrument-assisted technique that delivers precise, low-force adjustments without any twisting, cracking, or high-velocity manipulation. We chose this approach because it is safer and more comfortable for a wider range of patients — including seniors, post-surgical patients, and anyone who has been nervous about traditional chiropractic.

What makes the Activator Method different?

The instrument fires faster than your muscles can react, which means joints move into proper alignment without any guarding or resistance. The result is a controlled, comfortable adjustment every time. It is the most widely researched instrument-assisted chiropractic technique available, and it has been approved by Medicare as a recognized treatment.

3. They Have the Credentials to Back Up Their Claims

Credentials matter in healthcare — and chiropractic is no exception. When evaluating a chiropractor, look beyond the D.C. degree and ask about advanced training, specialty certifications, and how long they have been in practice.

I hold an Advanced Proficiency Rating in the Activator Method — the highest designation available through Activator Methods International. I am one of only five chiropractors in the entire Sioux Empire to hold that distinction. Dr. Sean Hagen, who joined our practice after graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2022, also holds Advanced Proficiency Rated status.

Beyond technique certification, I have completed over 1,700 hours of post-graduate training in areas including orthopedic and neurological examination, cervical trauma and whiplash, personal injury, and AMA impairment rating. I was named South Dakota Chiropractor of the Year by my peers in 2009 and have served on the Board of Directors of the South Dakota Chiropractor's Association for multiple terms.

A good chiropractor has done the work outside the clinic to become better inside it.

4. They Explain What They're Doing and Why

You should never leave a chiropractic appointment confused about what just happened or why it was done. A good chiropractor takes the time to explain your diagnosis, the reasoning behind your treatment plan, and what you should realistically expect as you progress through care.

At Back Specialists, we make it a point to walk every patient through what we find during their examination — including what the X-rays show, what the Activator assessment reveals, and what areas of the spine we are targeting and why. An informed patient is a better partner in their own recovery.

5. They Have Experience With Your Specific Condition

General chiropractic competence is a baseline. What you really want is a provider who has extensive experience with the specific condition bringing you in.

At Back Specialists we treat a wide range of conditions including low back pain, neck pain, headaches and migraines, sciatica, whiplash and auto accident injuries, work injuries, and even complex cases like Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. We also provide prenatal chiropractic care and care for children.

I particularly enjoy complicated and traumatic cases — the patients who have been through the system and are still looking for answers. That kind of case requires a depth of diagnostic training and clinical judgment that only comes from decades of practice.

6. Their Patients Come Back — and Send Their Families

Patient retention and referrals are two of the most honest signals of quality care. When people keep coming back and bring their family members with them, it tells you something that no marketing can manufacture.

Many of the patients I see at Back Specialists today are the adult children of patients I treated 20 and 30 years ago. Some families have three generations coming through our doors. That kind of trust is earned one visit at a time — and it means more to me than any award or credential I've received.

When you're evaluating a chiropractor, pay attention to the reviews, but also ask around. In a community like Sioux Falls, word of mouth still carries a lot of weight.

7. The Office Feels Professional and the Staff Treats You Well

The quality of care doesn't begin when the chiropractor walks into the room. It starts the moment you call to schedule, continues when you walk through the door, and extends to how your questions are handled between visits.

At Back Specialists we have been serving the Sioux Falls community from the same location for years. Our team is here to make sure every visit is comfortable, efficient, and worth your time. If a front desk experience ever feels rushed, dismissive, or disorganized, that often reflects something about how the practice as a whole values its patients.

8. They're Honest About What They Can and Can't Help With

A chiropractor who tells every patient they can fix everything is not a chiropractor you can fully trust. The best providers are honest about the scope of chiropractic care, realistic about expected outcomes, and willing to refer out when another type of care is more appropriate for your situation.

I have been doing this long enough to know what chiropractic does exceptionally well, and I have the professional relationships to refer patients when something falls outside that scope. That honesty, I believe, is part of what has kept patients coming back to Back Specialists for nearly five decades.

Ready to See If We're the Right Fit?

Finding a good chiropractor comes down to credentials, technique, communication, and trust. If you're in Sioux Falls and ready to experience gentle, precise, Activator-based care from one of the most credentialed chiropractic practices in South Dakota, we'd like to meet you.

Your first visit starts with a conversation. We'll listen first, assess carefully, and only then recommend a course of care that makes sense for your specific situation.

Schedule your new patient appointment here.