How Often Should You Get Adjusted by Chiropractor?

If you’re seeking chiropractic treatment, one of the first questions is often – how often should you get adjusted by a chiropractor? While chiropractic adjustments can provide relief from chronic back pain, neck pain, and headaches, patients wonder about the ideal adjustment frequency to properly align their body’s musculoskeletal structure.

Typically, patients start with more frequent chiropractic visits to get faster pain relief when experiencing acute pain from a recent injury or flare up. The chiropractor will develop a customized treatment plan which may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, physical therapy exercises, and other techniques to relieve pain and muscle spasms.

As symptoms improve, the frequency of chiropractic adjustments is gradually reduced. Ongoing maintenance adjustments help sustain proper alignment and prevent future pain issues. Most chiropractors recommend monthly sessions for preventative care after the initial treatment period.

The goal is to achieve the most benefits through regular chiropractic adjustments, while avoiding going too frequently.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment, also called spinal manipulation, is a hands-on technique performed by licensed chiropractors to realign joints in your spine or other areas. The goal is to restore proper motion and alignment to joints that are restricted or not moving properly.

During an adjustment, the chiropractor will apply a controlled, precise force to the affected joint. This helps improve mobility and alignment. Reduced pressure on nerves can decrease muscle spasms, inflammation, and pain.

Patients often seek chiropractic treatment for back pain relief, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal problems related to misaligned joints. Adjustments can be combined with soft tissue techniques and exercises as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

For acute pain, frequent chiropractic visits are initially needed to achieve maximum benefits. The frequency is reduced over time. Ongoing maintenance adjustments help sustain proper alignment and functioning, which may help prevent pain and improve overall health.

When performed properly by a trained chiropractor, adjustments are very safe. Most patients experience immediate pain relief and improved range of motion from a chiropractic adjustment.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Work

Chiropractic adjustments work by helping to restore proper motion to joints that are not moving properly. Here’s a quick overview of how they work:

The chiropractor will perform an examination to identify joints that are not moving correctly. This could be due to injury, repetitive stress, bad posture, etc.

The chiropractor will then apply a precise and controlled force to the joint. This is called a chiropractic adjustment.

The adjustment helps improve mobility of the joint and reduce nerve irritation. Improved motion and reduced nerve irritation can relieve pain and improve function.

Over a course of treatments, adjustments help restore normal joint motion and alignment of the spine. This can reduce pain and improve overall health.

Chiropractic Care can be essential for pain relief.

Chiropractic care can provide essential pain relief for many types of acute and chronic pain. Chiropractic adjustments and other techniques help address underlying joint dysfunction, muscle spasms, and pinched nerves that often cause pain.

Most patients start with frequent chiropractic visits for faster pain relief when symptoms are severe. The frequency is reduced over time but ongoing maintenance adjustments help prevent future pain and recurrences. Chiropractic is considered an effective first line treatment for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal pain. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, adjustments are very safe and many patients find chiropractic essential for achieving lasting pain relief.

When Should You Go To A Chiropractor?

Here are some of the most common reasons to see a chiropractor:

Back pain – One of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care is for low back pain. The chiropractor can identify joints not moving properly and perform adjustments to help reduce pain.

Neck pain – Pain and stiffness in the neck can also be helped with chiropractic adjustments.

Headaches – Chiropractic adjustments can often provide relief for tension headaches and migraines originating from the neck.

Sciatica – A chiropractor can help reduce nerve irritation causing sciatic pain from the low back down the leg.

Whiplash – Chiropractic adjustments can help restore normal motion to the neck after a whiplash injury from a car accident.

Sports injuries – Chiropractic care is often used to help treat and prevent sports-related injuries.

Can You Go To The Chiropractor Too Often?

It’s generally not recommended to get chiropractic adjustments too frequently. Here’s some guidance on chiropractic treatment frequency:

• When starting care, it’s common to get adjustments 2-3 times per week for the first 1-2 weeks. This helps provide faster relief at the beginning.
• The frequency is usually reduced to 1-2 times per week for the next few weeks.
• For continued preventative care, most patients see their chiropractor 1-2 times per month.
• Seeing a chiropractor more than 2-3 times per week on an ongoing basis is usually not necessary and not recommended.

How Often You Get Chiropractic Treatment Depends Upon Your Needs

Every patient is different, so the ideal chiropractic treatment frequency can vary. Here are some factors that help determine how often you need chiropractic adjustments:

• Your symptoms – More frequent visits are needed when you have severe, acute pain. Less frequent visits may be fine for mild symptoms or prevention.
• Condition being treated – Some conditions require more frequent adjustments than others. Your chiropractor will advise you on what’s best for your situation.
• Your age and health – Older patients or those with complicating health factors may need more regular adjustments.
• Your activities – Athletes or very active patients may need more frequent chiropractic treatments to prevent injuries.
• Ongoing prevention – Most patients benefit from monthly maintenance visits to prevent recurring problems and keep the body aligned.

The best approach is to discuss your specific needs with your chiropractor. Let your symptoms and goals guide the recommended treatment frequency.

When Should You NOT Go See Your Chiropractor?

While chiropractic treatment is extremely safe, there are a few times when you’ll want to avoid an adjustment:

If you have an acute fracture, disc herniation, or other unstable injury – Seek medical care first to rule out any condition making adjustments unsafe.

During the later stages of pregnancy – Adjustments are fine early in pregnancy but not recommended in the 3rd trimester.

If you have an infection like the flu or COVID-19 – Wait until the infection has passed before seeing your chiropractor.

If you have signs of cancer or a tumor – See your medical doctor first to determine if it’s safe for chiropractic treatment.

If you’ve lost significant weight or muscle mass – Adjustments may need to be gentler or avoided in frail patients.

If you have osteoporosis or other bone-weakening condition – Be sure your chiropractor knows so they can make proper adjustments.

In general, communicate with your chiropractor about any new conditions or changes to your health. They can determine if adjustments are appropriate or need to be modified or avoided. Follow their expert guidance for your particular situation.

Importance of Comprehensive Care and Transitioning to Maintenance

Completing the initial chiropractic treatment plan is crucial for addressing your condition effectively. Your chiropractor will determine the necessary number of visits based on your specific needs. Following the initial treatment, you’ll transition to a maintenance care plan, usually involving 1-2 visits per month, to ensure ongoing joint mobility and alignment.

Regular maintenance care helps prevent future issues and the recurrence of symptoms, akin to daily brushing and flossing for dental health. It maintains spinal health, prevents new issues, minimizes flare-ups, enhances nervous system function, and promotes overall well-being. Adhering to your chiropractor’s recommended maintenance schedule is key to long-term health and pain-free living.

Why Do I Need Follow Up Chiropractic Adjustments?

If you’re wondering why you need follow up appointments after starting chiropractic care, the answer is clear – continued adjustments are essential to maintain proper spinal alignment and functioning.

Don’t undo your progress! Spinal bones can slip back out of place over time without periodic adjustments. Postural habits, injuries, repetitive stress, and simple daily activities gradually pull your spine out of alignment.

Ongoing chiropractic care realigns your spine, enhances mobility, prevents flair ups of chronic conditions, and promotes lifelong wellness. Think of it like brushing and flossing your teeth – you need regular care to sustain the benefits.

Schedule your follow up visits as recommended by your chiropractor. Consistent adjustments ensure your spinal health stays on track. Don’t lose out on the gains from your initial treatment plan.

Take action for your overall well-being and call Palm Wellness Center in Tampa today at (813) 443-5370. We offer customized chiropractic adjustment care to meet your unique needs. Invest in your health with ongoing chiropractic.

Chiropractic Adjustment FAQs

1. How often should you get adjusted by a chiropractor?

Most patients start with 2-3 visits per week for the first 1-2 weeks to get faster relief. The frequency is usually reduced to 1-2 times per week for a few more weeks. For preventive care, monthly visits are common to maintain proper alignment. Your chiropractor will advise you on the ideal schedule based on your symptoms and goals.

2. Can you go to a chiropractor too much?

It’s generally not recommended to get adjusted more than 2-3 times per week on an ongoing basis. Your body needs time to respond to adjustments and very frequent visits are rarely needed. Discuss your specific needs with your chiropractor for advice on proper treatment frequency.

3. Is it good to go to the chiropractor every week?

For some patients with chronic conditions, weekly visits are appropriate for managing symptoms. However, most patients transition to every other week or monthly maintenance visits after the initial treatment period. Your chiropractor can help determine the right visit frequency to keep your body aligned without over-adjusting.

4. Should I get regular chiropractic adjustments?

Many patients benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments for alignment and improved nervous system functioning, even when no pain is present. Monthly maintenance visits are generally recommended for optimal health, like getting regular dental cleanings. Adjustments may also help prevent pain and injury. Discuss your specific situation with your chiropractor.