Why does one chiropractor tell you to come back when it hurts, while another chiropractor wants to put you on a care program for weeks or months to treat the exact same problem? Understanding the difference between corrective care and pain relief care is essential when choosing the best type of care for you. The Western healthcare system is based primarily on pain. See a doctor when you have symptoms. Yes, at any time you can switch between pain relief and corrective care. We work with each patient to determine what frequency of maintenance care is best for them.
Some conditions, such as herniated discs and acute inflammatory conditions, respond better to treatment three times a week. This is rare and usually only lasts a few weeks. If you are told that you need chiropractic care three times a week for three months, we strongly recommend that you get a second opinion before starting any treatment. We also recommend that you be wary of any offer that requires prepayment for months of care.
As chiropractors, we'll help you choose the type of care that's best for you right now. We hope you found this blog useful. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For many musculoskeletal conditions that cause back or neck pain, 2 or 3 visits to the chiropractor per week for a few weeks should begin to significantly alleviate symptoms.
Multiple studies have shown that around 12 treatment sessions in total with a chiropractor over a period of 6 weeks are usually sufficient to complete a treatment program to alleviate back pain,1 especially when combined with other treatments.2 Studies show that about 12 treatment sessions with a chiropractor over a six-week period are usually sufficient to complete a treatment plan for relieving back pain. The effect of a chiropractic adjustment is cumulative, and several visits are required to bring the body back into alignment. A single adjustment can ease the discomfort caused by pain, but it is possible that, over time, the body will fully recover its functioning. Some chiropractors use other forms of treatment (such as soft tissue therapy, physical therapy modalities, and physical training) along with manipulative therapy.
The chiropractor must adjust the entire spine at a frequency determined by the chiropractor that takes into account your specific condition. Something to keep in mind is that patients who receive chiropractic care experience a 30% decrease in pain compared to those who only seek basic medical care (Spine 201). A new case study warns that certain chiropractic techniques can cause vision problems due to their direct effect on the retina of the eye. While there are some guidelines for determining the frequency of treatment, experts generally agree that more research is needed to determine the ideal length and frequency of chiropractic sessions.
Weekly or monthly chiropractic sessions provide the most benefit, especially for painful conditions and structural problems. Chiropractic care uses a holistic approach, which evaluates the patient's lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and other factors that may contribute to migraines. If you are suffering from structural imbalance, pain, and other comprehensive problems, a chiropractic adjustment could be what you need. The initial evaluation will take longer, but from then on, you can expect your chiropractor to perform spinal adjustments and ongoing evaluations during short sessions.
Chiropractic care is administered through spinal adjustment, which consists of many chiropractic adjustments. The bottom line for patients is to exercise their judgment in choosing a good chiropractor in the same way as when choosing any type of healthcare professional. In general, even if you can only commit to one chiropractic session, you'll notice some type of relief. Although chiropractic care can alleviate some symptoms, in these cases, it won't treat the root cause.
Maintenance care involves chiropractic adjustments along with several modalities, exercises and a nutritional plan aimed at long-term well-being. In the absence of a progressive worsening of a condition during chiropractic care, a treatment program can last 2 to 4 weeks (three times per week).
