Chiropractic care varies from person to person. The frequency of appointments is dependent on the type of injury, its severity, and the treatment plan prescribed. Your specific plan is generally determined by you and your chiropractor. Whether you’re seeking treatment for back pain, neck pain, or long-term preventative care, your treatment plan will meet your needs. Understanding what chiropractic treatment can do will give you a better idea of maintenance care timing.
Chiropractors work with the body’s musculoskeletal structure. Most people see a professional for various ailments that stem from the muscles and bones. This includes seeking chiropractic treatment for back pain and neck pain.
To determine the frequency of your appointments, your chiropractor will first identify a few factors. Depending on the pain you experience, the number of visits will vary. Pain that is related to a specific injury generally takes less time to treat. This type of pain is referred to as acute pain. Often this is an injury from sports, overuse, or a trauma like a car crash. For many with acute pain, 6 months or less is the treatment timeline.
Long-term treatment is usually reserved for chronic pain. Chronic pain is a recurring discomfort that lasts for more than 6 months and can include periods of relief between flare-ups. It originates from older injuries or other underlying health conditions. Bulging discs or previous surgeries are examples of sources for chronic pain. Chronic pain relief treatment involves chiropractic care that spans multiple years.
Understanding the type of pain you are experiencing gives you an idea of how long a treatment plan is required. Acute pain might be addressed with a few sessions with your chiropractor. While chronic pain could require more long-term preventative care.
Chiropractic care not only provides you with pain relief, but addresses the root cause. It is non-invasive and far less costly than surgery. Additionally, it can help reduce the need for prescription grade pain medication.
Chiropractic adjustments are a common practice in chiropractic care. Your chiropractor uses spinal manipulation to adjust and then maintain proper alignment. This is done through various maneuvers, each with their own purpose. These will differ depending on if your pain is acute or chronic, as well as if you’re seeking preventative care.
In your first visit to see a chiropractor, you will undergo a physical exam. This will help them get an overall picture of your body and where the pain could be stemming from. Often, they will ask you a series of lifestyle questions. These can range from the type of job you work to your injury history. By understanding your day-to-day movements, they can develop a more customized treatment plan.
In your adjustment appointments, your chiropractor will have you sit or lay in several different positions. This will allow them to properly apply pressure to a certain area. A licensed and trained chiropractor has access to small instruments that can aid in the therapy. Aside from adjustments, your chiropractor may also try different muscle therapies. One of the most common is soft tissue therapy.
These treatments help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. That, in turn, will promote natural healing in the body. Depending on your rate of healing, the frequency of your visits will vary. Generally, at least several visits are needed to feel relief.
During your initial consultation, the chiropractor will determine a general treatment plan. This plan is subject to change depending on the progression of your pain and rate of healing. That can include weekly, every two weeks, or less for maintenance adjustments. If you’re looking into preventive care to avoid further injuries, your plan may be longer.
When experiencing pain not from a specific injury, the treatment may take longer. Often those who struggle with chronic back pain are unaware of the root cause. Because of this, more time is needed to address the issue.
Chronic pain will need regular appointments in a long-term preventative care plan. Patients will often go no more than two weeks between visits for an adjustment. This is moreso to maintain relief.
Additionally, you don’t necessarily have to be in pain to visit a chiropractor. Many visit a chiropractor for preventive reasons. Regular maintenance adjustments can prevent serious misalignment issues.
Muscle therapies are also used as a preventive treatment. Athletes often see chiropractors to help with alignment and performance. Soft tissue therapy is common to break up the lactic acid that can cause muscle cramping.
Visiting a chiropractor for maintenance adjustments involves less frequent visits. These range from monthly to every few months for a quick alignment and check-up.
There is almost no research to determine if a patient can visit their chiropractor too much. But, there are general guidelines that you can use as a guide.
Your body is the first indicator if you are visiting too often. If your joints react negatively or become loose due to adjustments, your chiropractor will alter your treatment plan.
Many clinics will limit the number of chiropractic adjustments that you can receive to a specific joint over one year. That usually ranges between three and six adjustments. But, there are always exceptions to these rules.
As a rule of thumb, you should get adjustments done as often as your body needs. Every person’s pain is different, and their bodies may react differently to treatment. It is not constructive to compare your visits against someone else’s. Your treatment plan depends upon your discussions with your chiropractor.
Regardless if your pain is chronic or acute, plan on weekly visits to start. This will help you gauge how you react to the therapy. Later on, you can schedule maintenance adjustments less often.
A proper treatment plan will range from two times per week through only when needed. Acute pain treatment generally requires several appointments that start weekly. Chronic pain appointments can occur weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.
Usually, no. If treatments result in side effects like inflammation or loose joints, your chiropractor will scale back your treatment visits. Most patients visit a chiropractor no more than twice a week for acute pain.
Treatment plans for acute pain involve several appointments that usually start weekly. As the body’s musculoskeletal system aligns, the underlying problems will begin to dissipate. After a bit, appointments will become less frequent. Maintenance adjustments occur every two weeks, at most.
Yes! Everyone can benefit from seeing a chiropractor. If you are an athlete or work in a physically demanding field, regular visits to your chiropractor can maintain your health and prevent future issues. A lack of movement in jobs sitting in front of a computer can cause neck and lower back pains that regular maintenance adjustments help relieve.
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