One of the most common questions chiropractic doctors get asked is, “How often should I come in?”
Well, truth be told, there isn’t a one size fits all answer to this. Different situations require different chiropractic treatment plans, so the frequency will vary. Here are some factors you should keep in mind to help make a more informed decision about how often you should visit.
Each Patient is Unique
Each person who walks through the door of a chiropractic office is unique and has their own set of needs and goals. Some people only go to the chiropractor when in pain, while others have regular adjustments as a proactive strategy to keep their bodies functioning well.
How often you should get adjusted depends on your health status and specific goals. If you’re seeking a chiropractor after a car accident or work injury or a particular condition such as migraine headaches, neck pain, or low back pain, your chiropractor will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan with specific recommendations regarding the frequency and duration of your treatments.
However, if you’re not in pain but want to take an active approach to maintaining your health, there’s no right or wrong answer regarding how many times you should get adjusted. Some patients come in every month (sometimes referred to as maintenance care), while others come in more or less frequently, depending on what they feel they need.
If you’ve never been under chiropractic care before but are interested in taking a proactive approach to your health and wellness, talk to your chiropractor about what they recommend for you.
What Kind of Treatment Do You Need?
How often you should see your chiropractor depends on what kind of treatment you need. Generally speaking, there are two basic types: pain relief and correction.
Pain relief. If your problem is relatively recent and involves pain but no loss of motion, you may get by with just a few sessions. Once the pain is relieved, you may not need to return. If the pain returns, however, you’ll have to go through the same process again. If instead of just treating the symptoms, we can identify what’s causing them and help your body heal, that’s a different story.
Correction. If your problem has lasted longer than three months or if there’s a loss of mobility or range of motion, you need to be evaluated for correction. Because we’re dealing with significant problems in your body, correction requires a more in-depth examination and longer treatment sessions than pain relief.
How Well Does Your Body Respond to Treatment?
There are several factors that will determine how well your body responds to chiropractic care, such as:
Lifestyle. Your daily habits and activities can affect how well you respond to treatment. If you eat unhealthy foods, smoke, or drink alcohol excessively, it may take longer for you to respond to treatment.
Age. The older we get, the stiffer our joints become and the more difficult it is for them to move. Older patients tend to respond more slowly to treatment than younger patients.
Disease. If you have a condition such as arthritis or diabetes, your body may not respond as well to treatment as someone without the condition.
Acute versus chronic injury. If you’ve just experienced an injury, your body will respond better to treatment than if you’ve had pain for years.
Chiropractic Care Has Long-Lasting Benefits
Because it works with the body’s natural inclination to be healthy, the benefits of chiropractic care are likely to be long-lasting. For instance, if a chiropractic adjustment has improved your spine’s alignment, and you experience a physical stressor like lifting a heavy object, your spinal column is more likely to return to optimum alignment than if you’d never received chiropractic care.
Because chiropractic care is safe and natural, patients often continue receiving regular treatments to improve their overall health and well-being over the long term.
Kim Chiropractic & Rehab Provides Flexible Scheduling
At Kim Chiropractic & Rehab, appointment schedules are customized for you based on your needs. For your convenience, we offer flexible scheduling, including Saturday hours, and have convenient locations in Centreville, Columbia, and Rockville.
To schedule a consultation, contact us today. We look forward to providing you with chiropractic care that enhances your health and wellbeing.
