Nearly 16 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic back pain. It’s one of the top reasons why chiropractic care is sought after.
How often should you see a chiropractor? This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to chiropractic care. This depends on several factors but the answer is really up to you.
The Role of a Chiropractor
According to a 2015 Gallup Report, 33.6 million U.S. adults seek chiropractic care each year, the majority being for neck and back pain.
What does a chiropractor do? A chiropractor uses adjustments and manipulations on the body to realign bones and joints. This is a natural solution to pain relief through proper alignment of the musculoskeletal structure.
What motivates a patient to first see a chiropractor is from the pain, that in most cases, has taken years to develop. Pain is usually the last symptom of a growing problem. It takes time, frequency, and follow-up for chiropractors to work towards correcting the problem.
A top chiropractor will take their time with each patient to understand their medical history and know their treatment goals.
Should I Seek Treatment?
Patients often seek chiropractic care due to injury or chronic pain. Some of the top reasons people seek care are due to:
- Sports injuries
- Headaches and migraines
- Back and neck pain
- Pain from pregnancy
- Car accidents
- Work-related injury
- Arthritis and joint pain
But I’m Not in Pain
If you’re not in any pain, chiropractic treatment is still a great option for preventative care. A chiropractor can still examine your body and determine if anything is out of alignment and work with you towards improving your health.
An adjusted and aligned body gives you improved posture, stress relief, mood elevation, improved immune system, and better quality sleep.
How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?
This is one question every patient first asks. Each patient is different and has their reason as to why they sought care in the first place. Every patient will have an individual care plan.
One visit to a specialist from pain that took years to develop will not be magically fixed during that appointment. Just like the amount of time it took for that problem to become noticeable, it will take time to correct your body and bring it back to a state of health.
Frequent adjustments have the biggest positive impact.
Chronic pain or an injury will likely need to be initially seen two to three times per week. As treatment progresses, visits will be less frequent. Long-term care is suggested for treatment in more severe cases.
Small injuries and pains can benefit from a visit per week at first but then adjust the frequency of visits once the pain has subsided.
Preventative care can be on a monthly basis but whether you’re in pain or not, you can talk about a plan with your chiropractor and schedule appointments as often as you feel necessary.
Get the Care You Need
How often should you see a chiropractor depends on your physical state and your goals for treatment. Don’t hesitate to seek chiropractic help if you’re in pain or interested in preventative care.
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