By Dr. Boris Nektalov, DNM, DC, Chiropractor & Enzyme Nutrition Specialist · Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, Forest Hills, Queens NY

Published: October 28, 2026 · Last reviewed: October 28, 2026

The short answer: To find the best chiropractor for you, never rely on a single source. Use a friend’s recommendation as a starting point, read recent and detailed Google reviews, watch the chiropractor’s educational videos, verify their state license, and then confirm everything at a first consultation. The best chiropractor for you is someone who is properly licensed, examines you carefully, explains your options clearly, and has experience with conditions like yours.

When you’re dealing with back pain, neck pain, sciatica or a spinal injury, the chiropractor you choose can make a real difference in your treatment experience and recovery. But should you pick the office a friend recommended, the one with the most Google reviews, or the chiropractor who posts videos of how they examine and treat patients? My answer: consider all of them, and never rely on just one.

A generation ago, most people chose healthcare providers through recommendations from family, friends or other doctors. Personal recommendations still matter, but today’s patients can also research a provider before they ever book. Google reviews, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, practice websites and patient testimonials can all reveal something about a chiropractor’s approach, communication style, techniques and patient experiences.

I’m Dr. Boris Nektalov, a chiropractor and enzyme nutrition specialist at Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens. My most important advice for anyone looking for a chiropractor is simple: do your research. Don’t choose based only on a recommendation, an advertisement or a five-star rating. Take the time to understand who will be treating you and how they approach patient care.

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Chiropractor

  1. Start with recommendations, but check that the chiropractor treats conditions like yours.
  2. Read Google reviews in depth: volume, recency, detail and patterns, not just the star rating.
  3. Review their educational content on social media and their website for clinical reasoning, not entertainment.
  4. Verify their license with your state board (in New York, the NYSED Office of the Professions).
  5. Use the first visit to confirm your research: history, examination, clear explanation, informed consent, no pressure.

Is a Friend’s Recommendation Enough to Choose a Chiropractor?

A personal recommendation is a great starting point, not the final decision. Imagine a friend raves about their chiropractor and insists you go to the same office. That’s worth considering, but ask yourself one question first: does your friend have the same condition you do?

Perhaps your friend went in for occasional lower back stiffness, while you’re dealing with severe sciatica, a herniated disc, or chronic neck pain after a car accident. The chiropractor who helped your friend may be excellent for their problem without being the best choice for yours.

Chiropractors differ in clinical interests, techniques, equipment, experience and treatment philosophy. Some focus mainly on general spinal adjustments. Others emphasize sports injuries, rehabilitation, extremity adjustments or chronic pain management. Some incorporate spinal decompression, soft tissue therapy and exercise programs, while others prefer gentler, low-force techniques.

So treat a recommendation as the beginning of your research. Whether you need help with sciatica treatment in Forest Hills, neck pain treatment or lower back pain, find out whether the chiropractor regularly evaluates and manages conditions similar to yours.

Are Google Reviews Reliable for Choosing a Chiropractor?

Google reviews are useful, but the star rating is only one part of the story. Reviews have become one of the most influential tools people use to choose a local business: in BrightLocal’s 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey, 76% of consumers said they “always” or “regularly” read online reviews for local businesses, and healthcare was among the industries where consumers rated reviews as most important (BrightLocal, 2024). If you’d research a restaurant or contractor, choosing a chiropractor deserves at least the same care.

Consider two offices. One has a 4.9-star rating with hundreds of reviews; the other has a perfect 5.0 from only a handful. Which is better? You can’t tell from the ratings alone. What matters is how many reviews there are, how recent they are, how detailed they are, and whether patients describe experiences relevant to you.

What should you look for in chiropractor reviews?

  • Do patients describe a thorough examination?
  • Does the chiropractor explain the diagnosis and treatment plan?
  • Do patients feel listened to, and are treatments individualized?
  • Do patients describe improvements in movement and everyday activities?
  • Are there repeated complaints about rushed appointments, unexpected charges, poor communication or uncomfortable treatment?

“Great doctor, highly recommended” is positive feedback. But a review explaining that the chiropractor reviewed the patient’s MRI, discussed their symptoms, performed a comprehensive exam and explained the treatment options tells you far more. If you’re researching lower back pain relief or herniated disc treatment in Queens, detailed reviews from patients with similar conditions are especially informative.

Keep in mind that reviews are personal experiences, not scientific evidence that a treatment works. Results vary, and even sincere testimonials can’t guarantee the same outcome for you. It also helps to know that since 2024 the Federal Trade Commission has banned fake reviews, including AI-generated ones, and reviews bought or conditioned on a particular sentiment (FTC, August 2024). Reviews that read as generic or arrive in suspicious bursts deserve extra skepticism.

Should You Read the Negative Reviews Too?

Yes. One of the smartest ways to research a chiropractor is to read reviews across the entire rating range. Five-star reviews show what patients appreciate, three-star reviews may reveal where expectations weren’t met, and one-star reviews may point to recurring concerns.

Interpret individual negative reviews carefully, though. Some complaints involve scheduling, insurance, parking or misunderstandings unrelated to clinical care. What matters most is a consistent pattern. If many patients say the chiropractor takes time to explain their condition, that’s useful. If many complain about being pressured into expensive treatment packages before a proper evaluation, that’s worth investigating.

Also notice how the office responds to criticism. A professional response suggests the practice takes concerns seriously. Remember that healthcare providers must protect patient confidentiality, so they often can’t publicly explain the details behind a negative review. The goal isn’t to find a chiropractor who has never been criticized; it’s to find one whose overall pattern of patient experiences gives you confidence.

Why Does Social Media Matter When Choosing a Chiropractor?

Google reviews tell you what patients say about a chiropractor. Social media shows you how the chiropractor presents their own work, and that’s an important difference.

Many chiropractors now use YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to share educational videos, explain conditions, demonstrate techniques and answer common questions. Before social media, you might have known almost nothing about a chiropractor’s style until you walked in. Now you can often watch them explain how they approach neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, posture problems or spinal adjustments, hear them explain a diagnosis, and get a sense of how they communicate with patients.

Social media only shows selected moments, however. Videos are edited, and a short clip can’t establish the quality of an examination, the safety of a procedure or the effectiveness of a treatment. Use it to complement other research, not replace it.

What should you look for on a chiropractor’s Instagram, TikTok or YouTube?

Don’t focus on follower counts. A chiropractor with hundreds of thousands of followers isn’t automatically more skilled, and one who rarely posts may still provide excellent care. Focus on the content instead:

  • Do they explain what they’re doing and which conditions they treat?
  • Do they explain why certain techniques suit certain patients?
  • Do they show a variety of approaches, including rehabilitation, posture, exercise and long-term management?
  • Do they acknowledge when a condition needs a medical referral or care outside chiropractic?

A chiropractor who regularly explains the differences between sciatica, disc-related pain and muscular dysfunction shows an educational approach. One who discusses X-ray and MRI findings can help patients understand how imaging is interpreted alongside symptoms and examination findings. Demonstrations of full-body adjustments, cervical techniques, extremity mobilization or spinal decompression can show you what services are available.

But a dramatic adjustment video is not proof of clinical expertise. A loud crack doesn’t mean a better adjustment, a patient’s immediate reaction doesn’t prove long-term improvement, and one person feeling better after one visit doesn’t mean the same treatment is right for everyone. Look for education, professionalism, clinical reasoning and realistic explanations, not entertainment.

Can You See How a Chiropractor Treats Patients Before Your First Visit?

Often, yes, and that’s one of social media’s real advantages. Many patients are nervous about adjustments because they don’t know what to expect. They may have heard of cervical adjustments, spinal decompression or full-body chiropractic treatment without ever seeing them performed. Educational videos can make patients more comfortable and better prepared to ask questions.

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, we believe patients should understand the purpose of any treatment we recommend. Our approach includes evaluating the spine and musculoskeletal system, discussing the relevant examination findings, and building an individualized plan. Depending on the condition, care may include spinal adjustments, extremity adjustments, rehabilitation, soft tissue techniques or other conservative therapies. If you’re curious about spinal decompression therapy, shockwave therapy or red light therapy, it’s worth learning what each involves and which conditions it is intended to address.

Seeing a treatment demonstrated can be informative. The decision to receive it, however, should always depend on a proper clinical evaluation, not on how impressive a procedure looks on video.

What Does a Chiropractor’s Educational Content Tell You?

Quite a lot. Whether a chiropractor takes time to educate people is one of the most valuable things to look for. Do they explain why neck pain develops, how prolonged sitting relates to lower back discomfort, or the difference between a herniated disc and piriformis syndrome? Do they discuss when spinal manipulation may be appropriate and when it should be avoided? Do they offer practical advice on posture, exercise and prevention?

Clear, evidence-informed content helps you understand a provider’s clinical philosophy. If you have sciatica, look for content that discusses the different causes of sciatic pain rather than claims that every case can be fixed with one adjustment. If you have neck pain, you may appreciate content on cervical biomechanics, muscle tension, rehabilitation and the importance of screening before neck manipulation. If you’re interested in nutrition and wellness care, you may prefer a provider who discusses nutrition, sleep, exercise and lifestyle as part of overall health. The objective is to find someone whose approach fits your needs and preferences.

How Do You Verify a Chiropractor’s License in New York?

Reviews and social media should never replace basic credential checks. Before choosing a chiropractor, confirm they hold an active license in the state where they practice. In the U.S., chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, a program that typically takes four years after at least three years of undergraduate study, then pass national board exams and obtain a state license (NCCIH, National Institutes of Health). The American Chiropractic Association also advises confirming that your chiropractor graduated from a program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (ACA, Hands Down Better).

In New York, here’s how to check:

  1. Go to the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions online verification search, which covers both professional license verification and enforcement actions.
  2. Search the chiropractor’s name and confirm the license is active and registered.
  3. Check for any publicly listed disciplinary or enforcement actions.
  4. At the office, look for the current New York registration certificate, which chiropractors must display; New York chiropractors must re-register every three years (NYSED consumer information).

This matters because social media popularity doesn’t establish professional qualifications. A large following is no substitute for education, licensure, clinical competence or ethical practice. Also consider whether the chiropractor’s experience fits your situation: someone with uncomplicated mechanical lower back pain has different needs than a patient recovering from a serious motor vehicle accident or experiencing progressive neurological symptoms.

Does the Chiropractor Offer More Than One Treatment Approach?

Not every patient needs the same technique, not every condition requires a high-velocity adjustment, and not every case of back pain should be treated with spinal manipulation alone. Someone with acute mechanical lower back pain may benefit from education, appropriate movement and selected manual therapy. A patient with chronic back pain may need progressive strengthening and rehabilitation. Someone with a suspected herniated disc and neurological symptoms may need a more detailed examination and possibly additional medical evaluation.

At our Forest Hills chiropractic clinic, we emphasize individualized care rather than assuming every patient needs an identical plan. We offer a range of conservative options, including chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation guidance, posture correction, soft tissue therapy, spinal decompression, shockwave therapy and red light therapy when clinically appropriate. See our chiropractic services.

That said, more equipment doesn’t automatically make a chiropractor better. What matters is whether the treatment is supported by an appropriate diagnosis and reasonable clinical evidence.

Does the Chiropractor Look for the Cause or Just Offer Temporary Relief?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask. When a patient arrives with lower back pain, the easiest approach is to focus only on the painful area. Good clinical care means understanding what may be contributing to the problem:

  • Is the pain related to a recent injury, or aggravated by repetitive movements or prolonged sitting?
  • Is there a disc-related condition or nerve-root irritation?
  • Are certain muscles weak or poorly conditioned?
  • Are there warning signs that require additional medical evaluation?

Not every cause of back pain can be permanently corrected, and persistent pain often has multiple contributing factors. Still, identifying modifiable factors helps guide treatment and self-management. When you review a chiropractor’s website, reviews or social media, look for an emphasis on examination, clinical reasoning and individualized treatment. The goal shouldn’t simply be to perform an adjustment; it should be to determine whether an adjustment is appropriate and how it fits into your overall care.

What Are the Red Flags When Choosing a Chiropractor?

Be cautious of claims that sound too good to be true, a warning the American Chiropractic Association echoes in its own consumer guidance (ACA). Red flags include:

  • Promises to cure every herniated disc, eliminate all chronic pain, reverse spinal degeneration, or treat serious internal diseases through adjustments alone.
  • Claims that one specific technique is right for every patient.
  • Pressure to commit to an extensive treatment package before a proper evaluation.
  • Reluctance to refer you to a medical doctor or other specialist when your condition calls for it.
  • Routine imaging for everyone without explaining why it’s needed in your case (ACA).

Healthcare outcomes are rarely guaranteed, and even excellent clinicians can’t promise that every patient will respond. A trustworthy chiropractor should explain the expected benefits, limitations, alternatives and potential risks of the proposed care. For context, the National Institutes of Health notes that mild to moderate side effects of spinal manipulation, such as temporary soreness, stiffness or headache, are common and usually resolve within about a day, while serious complications are very rare (NCCIH). Sometimes the best decision a chiropractor can make is to recommend a different treatment or additional evaluation.

What Should Happen at Your First Chiropractic Appointment?

After reading reviews, watching videos, exploring the website and checking credentials, the consultation is where your online research gets tested against real experience. Ask yourself:

  • Did the chiropractor listen to your concerns and ask about your medical history?
  • Did they perform an appropriate examination and explain the findings in plain language?
  • Did they discuss treatment options, set realistic expectations and obtain your informed consent?
  • Did you feel comfortable asking questions?

NCCIH also suggests sharing your full health history and all medications and supplements, asking whether the practitioner has experience with your condition, and asking how many sessions you’re likely to need and what they will cost, including insurance coverage (NCCIH).

A good patient-provider relationship depends on communication and trust. You should never feel pressured into a procedure you don’t understand or an extensive package without a reasonable explanation. If the chiropractor’s approach doesn’t match what you expected from their online presence, it’s appropriate to ask questions or seek another opinion.

Is the Most Famous Chiropractor the Best One?

Not necessarily. Social media can make a healthcare provider famous almost overnight: a viral adjustment video can draw millions of views and a dramatic patient reaction thousands of comments. But popularity and clinical quality are not the same thing. The chiropractor with the most followers isn’t necessarily best for your condition, the office with the highest rating isn’t automatically the right choice, and your friend’s chiropractor may not fit your needs.

The best chiropractor for you is someone who is appropriately qualified, evaluates your condition carefully, communicates clearly, recommends suitable treatment, and helps you make informed decisions about your health. Reviews and social media can help you narrow your choices, but your final decision should rest on the complete picture.

How to Research a Chiropractor in Forest Hills, Queens

If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Forest Hills or anywhere in Queens, look beyond the first result on Google. Read multiple reviews and check their dates and details. Explore the practice’s website and watch its educational videos. Verify the chiropractor’s license, learn which conditions they commonly manage, and see whether their philosophy matches your preferences. Most importantly, make sure the office emphasizes individualized evaluation rather than one-size-fits-all treatment.

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, we welcome patients who want to understand our approach before booking. We encourage you to research our practice, read patient experiences, explore our educational videos and articles, and ask questions about the treatments we provide. Informed patients are better prepared to take part in their own healthcare decisions.

Make an Informed Decision About Your Chiropractic Care

Whether you’re dealing with neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, a sports injury or discomfort after a motor vehicle accident, you deserve a provider who takes your concerns seriously. Each source gives you part of the picture:

  • A friend’s recommendation is a valuable starting point.
  • Google reviews offer insight into patient experiences.
  • Social media shows a chiropractor’s communication style and the treatments they demonstrate.
  • Professional credentials confirm that the provider meets licensing requirements.
  • An in-person consultation tells you whether the practice is the right fit.

Don’t rely on only one source. Put the information together. When it comes to your health, don’t just take someone’s word for it: do your research, see what patients are saying, understand how the doctor practices, and choose the chiropractor who is right for you.

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, our goal is individualized conservative care focused on understanding your condition, improving musculoskeletal function, and helping you return to the activities that matter to you. Schedule a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the best chiropractor near me?

Combine several sources instead of relying on one: ask for personal recommendations, read recent and detailed Google reviews, watch the chiropractor's educational videos, verify their state license, and then confirm everything at a first consultation. The best chiropractor for you is the one who is properly licensed, examines you carefully, explains your options clearly, and has experience with conditions like yours.

Are Google reviews a reliable way to choose a chiropractor?

Google reviews are useful but incomplete. Look at the number of reviews, how recent they are, how detailed they are, and whether patients describe conditions similar to yours. Read reviews across the whole rating range and look for consistent patterns rather than single complaints. Reviews describe personal experiences; they are not scientific evidence that a treatment works.

How do I check if a chiropractor is licensed in New York?

Use the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions online verification search at op.nysed.gov/verification-search, which covers professional license verification and enforcement actions. New York chiropractors must also display a current New York registration certificate and re-register every three years.

Does a chiropractor's social media following mean they are better?

No. Follower counts and viral adjustment videos do not prove clinical skill. Use social media to learn how a chiropractor explains conditions, which techniques they use, and how they communicate. Look for education, clinical reasoning and realistic expectations rather than entertainment.

What are red flags when choosing a chiropractor?

Be cautious of promises to cure every herniated disc or eliminate all chronic pain, claims that one technique suits every patient, pressure to sign up for an expensive treatment package before a proper evaluation, and any reluctance to refer you to a medical doctor when your condition requires it.

What should happen at my first chiropractic appointment?

A good first visit includes a review of your medical history, an appropriate physical examination, a clear explanation of the findings, a discussion of treatment options, benefits, limitations and risks, and your informed consent before treatment. You should feel comfortable asking questions and never feel pressured.

About the Author

Dr. Boris Nektalov is a chiropractor and enzyme nutrition specialist at Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. He provides individualized conservative care for neck pain, back pain, sciatica and other musculoskeletal conditions. Learn more about Dr. Nektalov.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation. Patient results vary. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider regarding your specific condition.