OUR BLOG

When a new patient comes to Art of Chiropractic, he or she is likely to ask, “How long will I need chiropractic care?” The answer is never simple. It’s different for each patient. Ongoing maintenance aids health and well-being.  So before we can discuss “standard” treatment length, there are multiple factors to consider.

The first  consideration is how long have you had the problem? Is this an acute condition caused by physical trauma, such as an accident or hyperextension? Or is this a chronic condition that has plagued you for years? As a rule, a chronic condition requires more care and may be slower to respond to chiropractic treatment. That’s why it is so important to seek chiropractic care at the onset of a painful condition, to reduce the potential recovery time. Some patients will feel some relief after their first chiropractic adjustment, while others need more visits to see marked improvement. Generally speaking, the longer you’ve had the problem, the longer it takes to recover.

Another important factor is that pain is not a condition in itself, but the symptom of something deeper. At Art of Chiropractic, our goal is to help fix the problem that is causing your pain. That is why we recommend continuing chiropractic care even after the pain disappears.

One question you must ask yourself is, “Do I just want pain relief, or do I want to fix the problem that causes the pain?” If pain relief is your only goal, you may choose to make your treatment time shorter. However, if you don’t want the pain to return, we recommend a course of treatment tailored specifically to your needs, and we recommend regular chiropractic care to eliminate your underlying cause of pain. When the cause is gone, the pain is unlikely to return.

Everyone heals at a different rate. This rate may be affected by age. A patient in her 20s or 30s will respond to chiropractic treatment more quickly than middle aged and senior patients. Hormone levels and healing responses change with age. This means it will probably take your body longer to heal at age 50 than it did when you were 25.

Regular exercise can speed healing

Patients who exercise regularly will respond faster to treatment. Exercise helps the body heal and keeps the joints from becoming stiff. A 20-30 minute walk three times a week, along with gentle stretching, goes a long way toward speeding up healing. Ask Dr. Leipold which stretches are right for you. If you have not yet begun an exercise program, start now. You will be surprised at how much more energy you’ll feel in just a few weeks.

What about people who are healthy, exercise regularly, and do not suffer pain? We recommend making chiropractic care a part of your ongoing preventive wellness program. Like regular exercise, chiropractic care will keep you feeling your best. An ongoing program of back and neck care helps keep you feeling strong, energetic, and free of pain. Seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis, whether that’s once a month, or every few months, can help prevent some injuries and maintain your spinal health.

In conclusion, there is not one answer to the question of how long you will need chiropractic care. However, we believe that people who make chiropractic care a regular part of their lives are happier and healthier.

Make an appointment today at Art of Chiropractic, and find out how regular chiropractic care can improve your health and well being.