One of the most common reasons people seek out chiropractic care is pain. You just want it to go away when you’re in pain from an injury or medical condition. Chiropractors use non-invasive, gentle techniques to ease the misery of pain without surgery, and that appeals to millions of people.

Once people have found a chiropractor whose treatments are effective, they often wonder how frequent their treatments should be or how long they should last. Well, it largely depends on the individual patient and the severity of their condition, their overall health, their age, their body’s response to treatment, and their goals.

History of Chiropractic Treatment Frequency

How often a patient sees a chiropractor for care has changed over the years. In the early days of this alternative treatment method, patients saw their chiropractor several times over the course of a week for weeks on end, sometimes even for months, no matter what their medical issue was.

This was partly due to early chiropractors’ belief that regular adjustments were vital to fixing the problem and preventing it from worsening in the future. But over time, the emphasis shifted to evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

Near the end of the 20th century, the trend toward evidence-based care led to chiropractors favoring shorter treatment plans. Insurance companies played their part in this, as they often do. Insurers wanted evidence of effectiveness to continue covering chiropractic care, which let practitioners to focus on resolving specific problems rather than overall health or long-term maintenance.

Today, the frequency of your treatment visits will depend on your specific, pressing needs. For immediate problems like injuries or severe pain, several treatments a week will be the recommendation then the treatments gradually dwindle as you improve.

Treatment of chronic conditions like back or neck pain will be more spaced out to once every few weeks or even months. This gives patients the treatment they need to maintain the improvement they’ve seen and not regress.

Patient-centered care has also become the new normal. Don’t be surprised if your chiropractor involves you in the decision-making process regarding frequency. Together you will discuss your short and long-term goals for care and your lifestyle choices. This will give you more flexibility in your treatment plan as it’s tailored to your goals and how you live your life.

On the whole, chiropractic treatment plans have shifted away from “the more treatments, the better” to as-needed or as-recommended for specific patient care. Of course, if one of your goals is enhanced overall health or better mobility, a long-term treatment program will be implemented to help you achieve this.

But patients seeking immediate help after injuries or accidents can see quick improvement with a shorter treatment schedule, making insurers more likely to cover them. This, in turn, makes chiropractic care more accessible for those who need it.

Understanding Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic care is a hands-on, alternative treatment that is popular due to its non-invasive, non-surgical approach. Utilizing spinal manipulation, massage, and other supporting treatments, chiropractors treat the root cause of nerve and joint problems in the body. These treatments alleviate pain, improve movement, and help the body heal itself after injuries.

In fact, one of the central beliefs of chiropractors is that the body has the power to fix itself, and their methods unlock that power. They believe spine misalignments interfere with the body’s healing ability and cause pain, joint stiffness, and other medical problems. By finding misalignments in the spine and correcting them, chiropractors restore natural function and promote healing.

How Chiropractors Treat Patients

Among the many methods chiropractors use to help patients, the most commonly known is spinal manipulation or adjustment. During your treatment, the chiropractor will use their hands and apply controlled forced movement to a joint, for example, to enhance the range of motion. Sometimes this results in the famous cracking sound which in reality is simply gas bubbles being released from joint fluid.

Other methods used are soft tissue therapy, where the chiropractor gently moves the stiff joint through its full range of motion to release tension in the muscles and surrounding tissue. Massage is also a frequently used treatment that relaxes muscles and increases mobility.

Factors that Influence the Number of Chiropractic Sessions

The number of treatments you need will greatly depend on the severity of your condition and how long you have suffered from it. Other factors are your age, your body’s response, and what you expect from your treatment.

·        Severity and Chronicity of the Condition - Acute conditions, like sudden back pain, may require only a few sessions to alleviate symptoms. Chronic conditions, like degenerative disc disease, may mean ongoing treatments over an extended period.

·        Age and Overall Health of the Patient – Older adults respond more slowly to treatment than younger patients. And for conditions like osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis or chronic diseases like diabetes, expect frequent sessions.

·        The Patient's Response to Treatment  - As we all know, everyone’s body is different, and patients have different responses to the same treatment. If your body responds more slowly, you will need a more extended treatment than someone whose body recovers quickly.

·        The Patient's Goals and Expectations – Whether you’ve suffered an injury and are looking for faster healing, want pain relief, or just improved health, all are considered goals that the chiropractor will take into consideration when creating your treatment plan.

Typical Conditions Chiropractors Treat

 Patients seek out chiropractic care for a plethora of conditions. Here are some of the most common and the average treatment frequency for each:

1.   Low back pain: you can expect chiropractic treatment for low back pain to last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the level of pain and how your body reacts to treatment. Patients typically receive several weekly treatments for the first few weeks and fewer treatments as their pain improves.

2.   Neck pain: Neck pain treatment can typically last a few months, depending on the root cause and severity of the pain. As with back pain, neck pain treatments will be more frequent in the beginning and decrease as your condition improves.

3.   Headaches: depending on the type of headache, the treatments can last a few months, possibly longer. If, for example, you suffer from migraines, you may find that one month of a few treatments per week does the trick, while headaches from pinched nerves may take longer depending on how quickly the nerves can be released.

4.   Sciatica: This painful condition centers around the sciatic nerve that runs from the spine to the hip and into the leg. The chiropractor will work on each area, beginning with the spine, to facilitate relief. Treatments are typically more frequent in the beginning, and will decrease in frequency if your body reacts well.

5.   Scoliosis: Treatment for scoliosis is typically ongoing and may last for several years. Patients find relief via regular chiropractic adjustments, coupled with physical therapy, to help manage their condition in the long term.

6.   Whiplash: Chiropractic treatment for whiplash resulting from an accident typically lasts a few months,

depending on the severity of the injury. Expect to initially see your chiropractor for treatments several times per week, with frequency decreasing as pain decreases and mobility improves.

7.   Sports injuries: Chiropractic treatment for sports injuries is very specific to the injured person’s physical condition and how rapidly their body responds. The type of injury will also guide your chiropractor in knowing the frequency of treatment required.

8.   Carpal tunnel syndrome: Depending on your lifestyle and the type of work you do, like using a computer on a daily basis, will determine how long your treatments will last. If you must use a computer daily for work, you can probably expect your treatment to be ongoing to help relieve pain and prevent further injury.

These estimates are just general guidelines, and the actual length of treatment will depend on the individual patient and their progress.

The Chiropractor's Clinical Judgment

The chiropractor’s judgment and experience will also play a role in determining treatment frequency. They will consider your physical condition, the severity of your issue, your age, and body response.

For example, a patient with a chronic condition may want to achieve pain relief as quickly as possible. In contrast, another patient may prioritize long-term wellness and prefer a more gradual approach.

Ultimately, deciding how many chiropractic sessions a patient needs is up to the chiropractor and your input. Be sure to discuss your improvement or lack thereof with them so your treatment can be adjusted.

Examples of Typical Treatment Plans for Different Conditions

The basic rule of thumb is this: for more serious conditions or injuries, you can expect frequent treatment for a few months, then a gradual decrease in treatment frequency as you improve. If, however, your condition is chronic, it is commonly recommended to receive ongoing treatments.

How to Monitor Progress and Adjust the Treatment Plan

Chiropractic treatment plans are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the patient's needs. Regular progress evaluations will help the chiropractor decide whether the treatment plan is effective. If they still need to, they will make adjustments as needed.

When your chiropractor makes a progress evaluation, they will assess your range of motion and pain level. They will ask if your symptoms have improved. Depending on your response, they will adjust the treatment accordingly and may add peripheral therapies like massage or electrical stimulation to speed recovery. Other recommendations may include dietary guidance or specific exercises to do at home.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care for pain, mobility, chronic conditions, or injuries requires varying treatment frequencies depending on severity, age, physical condition, and how well your body responds.

Your chiropractor will engage their experience and clinical expertise to determine if your treatment is effective or requires some tweaking to give you the result you need.

If you are thinking about chiropractic care to alleviate your condition, the best thing to do is to consult with a local chiropractic care provider and ask questions. They can tell you how they will use chiropractic treatments to help in your specific case.

With the right treatment plan, chiropractic care can help you achieve a better quality of life and improved overall physical function.

Still, Have Questions? Contact the Chiropractic Experts Near You

Are you experiencing pain or discomfort and wondering, "How often should I go to the chiropractor?" The next logical step is to book a consultation with a chiropractic professional at Atlas Spine and Rehab.

Our team of highly skilled chiropractors is dedicated to your recovery. We understand that your body is unique, and so is its response to treatment. That’s why we create customized treatment plans tailored to your specific condition and physical needs.

Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, an injury, or simply looking to maintain good health, we are here to help. We use a combination of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and rehabilitation exercises to address the root cause of your pain and improve your overall function.

At Atlas Spine and Rehab, we believe that regular chiropractic care is key to maintaining a healthy spine and preventing future injuries. Our frequency of care is based solely on your needs and can range from weekly to monthly visits.

By staying on top of your chiropractic care, you can reap the benefits of an improved range of motion, reduced pain and stiffness, increased energy, and better overall health.

Don't let pain or discomfort keep you from living your best life. Our compassionate, targeted care is designed to bring you relief as quickly as possible by helping your body utilize its innate healing ability. Our mission is patient wellness and increased comfort so you can get back to living the life you want your way.

Contact Atlas Spine and Rehab today to schedule your private chiropractic consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve optimal health and wellness.