Feeling back pain, being unable to perform daily tasks, workout and play sports can be frustrating for anyone. The debilitating symptoms can drive individuals to seek fast relief. But, while a person’s only concern maybe only to fix the day’s pain, fixing the root/cause of the problem is far better in the long run and can be easily achieved from chiropractic treatment. After receiving a single adjustment, many people especially athletes can expect an increase in their range of motion and less pain. Regardless of the reasons for seeking chiropractic treatment, one question always crosses people’s minds, how often should one see a chiropractor?
The answer to that question depends on the individual’s goals. Generally, spinal complications are not the result of a single day’s activities but tend to occur gradually over a period of time. Many spine conditions and injuries result in symptoms that may intermittently increase and decrease over several years, causing constant, nagging pain or sharp, extreme pain due to wear and tear type of injuries that the body is no longer able to heal on its own.
Healing requires time and patience, a person also needs to be aware of what caused the complications in the first place. Suddenly stopping strict exercise routines or gaining weight in a certain amount of time can create an accelerated aging process on the joints.
If an individual’s goals are solely focused on alleviating the pain resulting from one time, then it won’t take much time to heal. Generally, receiving adjustments 2-3 times per week for several weeks can ease pain and decrease other symptoms. But, if a person is seeking to relieve the symptoms associated with an underlying condition or injury, or if a person is seeking to correct an improper posture or a mechanical dysfunction, the process could be much longer. This healing process often may require about 2-3 months of regular adjustments.
Despite completing treatment and successfully alleviating any symptoms, it is recommended to continue chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis. What is considered a regular basis for adjustments? Getting adjusted at least once a week by a chiropractor can help maintain a person’s overall health and can prevent small problems from becoming greater issues. For a greater majority of individuals, especially those who sit most of the day, it’s recommended to maintain an adjustment schedule every week or two. A chiropractor will explain what is the right schedule.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez