Have you ever heard that once you go see a Chiropractor, would will have to go forever? This is a common statement and it comes from two different sides. First, that when you go and find good help, you’ll likely want to continue because it feels good to get your body worked on. Secondly, Chiropractors can have long treatment plans that extend months or even years, which may not be necessary or what you are looking for. So, let’s uncover this Chiropractic topic…
Understanding Chiropractic Care:
Before addressing the duration of chiropractic care, it’s essential to understand what chiropractic care entails. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, primarily through manual adjustments and manipulations of the spine and other joints. Chiropractors believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and aim to restore proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system, thereby alleviating pain and enhancing overall health. I believe that a proper Sports Chiropractor can not only address all the above mentioned but can even give you rehab as well as soft tissue to your care and provide more of a complete approach!
Click here to read how a Sports Chiropractor can help you with your injuries.
The Most Important Factors Influencing Chiropractic Treatment Duration: Several factors influence how long an individual should continue chiropractic care:
- Severity of Condition: One of the MOST important factors affecting the length or duration of your care is the severity of your condition. New or acute conditions may require shorter treatment periods, while chronic or complex issues might necessitate ongoing care. In addition, the recommendations of care should have some evidence or scientific backing and there should be some thought put into the reason why the length of care is taking that duration of time.
- Overall Health Goals: Your health goals and objectives also impact the duration of chiropractic care. Are you seeking relief from specific symptoms, such as back pain or headaches, or are you interested in long-term wellness and preventive care? Most of our patients in the clinic are looking for more than a traditional Chiropractic or Physical therapy office and they are very active. As a result, if you want more performance in your golf, tennis, and jiu-jitsu life, there will be more work and maintenance to be done.
- Response to Treatment: Everyone responds differently to chiropractic care and the treatment being provided. Some individuals experience rapid improvement after a few sessions, while others may require more time to achieve desired results.
- Commitment to Care: Consistency is key in chiropractic care and in your results. Time again, those who are committed to the process are those who get better results!
- Lifestyle Factors: As mentioned earlier, lifestyle choices, such as posture, ergonomics, exercise habits, and stress management, can either support or hinder the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Addressing these factors can contribute to faster recovery and better overall health.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long you should go to a chiropractor, here’s a general overview of what care looks like.
- Pain Relief phase: During the pain relief phase of chiropractic care, which typically lasts a few weeks, the focus is on alleviating acute symptoms, restoring mobility, and addressing underlying issues. The frequency of visits may be higher during this phase to achieve optimal results. Oftentimes, we see patients 2x per week for
2-4 weeks depending on the condition. - Corrective Phase: Once acute symptoms are under control, and there is no pain, we can get into the corrective phase. This phase aims to stabilize and strengthen the affected area, address any structural imbalances, and prevent recurrence of symptoms. Depending on the individual’s progress, this phase may last a few weeks. This is where most people stay the longest but is often the are where patients feel better but want to skip out too quickly.
- Integration & Performance: After achieving the desired outcomes, and getting stronger, and more mobile, it is time to start to integrate all the phases and everything you learn into your sport or activity! This is where the magic happens and also is where many people choose us as their Sports Chiropractor! In addition, this is where you can expect to be coming in less and considering the transition to wellness care.
It’s important to note that your chiropractor will tailor a treatment plan specifically to address your unique needs, goals, and preferences. In my opinion, your treatment plan should have an end date or a timeline in which it is expected to achieve your goals. Too many Chiropractors extend a treatment session or plan for years or way past due. As long as you have a plan and it follows science.
Conclusion:
Your Chiropractic treatment should have an end date! It should not be open-ended, a complete guess, and should follow science. Sure, things happen and we can reconsider extending care if needed or transitioning to maintenance but if you are suffering an injury, you’ll want to know when to expect to return to sports or your desired activity.
Dr. Josh Jagoda
Sports Chiropractor, Boca Raton