Have you been wondering how frequently you need a chiropractic adjustment? With 33 million Americans visiting the chiropractor each year, you’re not alone. Back and neck pain can be debilitating problems, and you want to fix them before things get out of hand.
So how often should you get a chiropractic adjustment? Keep reading to learn what you need to consider!
How Does a Chiropractor Help?
First, it’s good to understand how a chiropractor can help you before deciding how often to see one. Chiropractors are medically trained health professionals who can treat most neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as: muscle spasms, back and neck pain, whiplash, disc and joint pain, and pain that results from your job or travel. They perform hands-on manipulation with a focus on the spine and sometimes extremities with a bigger goal of helping you feel at your best.
Chiropractic adjustments can also help you feel more limber if you’re an athlete, and they can help if you have a demanding job. If you’re sitting and staring at a computer all day or logging long hours on the road, there’s a good chance that your body would benefit from realignment.
Chiropractors can help you see reduced inflammation in your muscles and joints and improved energy. If you’re feeling achy or sluggish, it may be time to schedule an appointment. How often you see a chiropractor depends on the severity of your condition and your goals as a patient.
Assess Your Condition
A big factor that plays into the frequency of your visits is your condition. Has the pain in your lower back been building for a while, or did it just hit you? Have you just had major surgery or dealt with an injury?
During your visit, you’ll want to talk with your chiropractor about your goals. Are you seeking short-term relief or longterm preventative care?
In some cases, your pain may need more attention through weekly or biweekly visits that can ease up over time as your condition gets better. If you have been experiencing muscle spasms, you may need to do a few visits each week to get started, and then you can gradually reduce them as you feel better.
In other instances, you may be able to tackle the pain and space out your visits depending on when the pain returns. Hurt your back while loading a truck? Then a trip to the chiropractor can provide the relief your body needs.
A chiropractor will assess your condition on the first visit to determine areas that are misaligned. Since muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the nervous system all must work together to function within your body, if any parts are misaligned, that translates to pain for you.
Consider a Longterm Maintenance Approach
If you prefer taking a preventative approach with their health, you’ll be able to do devise a plan with your chiropractor. Chiropractors advocate for a holistic approach to health that includes routine visits for longterm benefits.
In other words, it’s good to visit the chiropractor before you feel pain. Going to an appointment at least once a month can be an effective approach when you know your body will be under stress.
Ideally, chiropractors want to help you see lifelong benefits from their adjustments, rather than temporary relief from pain (though they can help with that, too!). If you’re doing a job that places stress on your body, it may be advantageous to see your chiropractor more frequently. But if your job involves a lower level of stress, you may be able to stretch the distance between visits.
In any case, when you feel pain, it’s always best to talk openly with your chiropractor about your needs. Your body will thank you!
How Often Should You Get a Chiropractic Adjustment? It Depends
When you need to make a decision about how often to visit the chiropractor, consider how you feel, what your budget looks like, and what your doctor advises.
For a general adjustment, the cost of a visit is around $65, though it can be higher or lower depending on where you live. For a first-time visit, you may be able to take advantage of special deals so you get a robust introduction to what the chiropractic office can offer you, but don’t let that be your deciding factor on who to see. Do your research and make sure to go to an office that has great reviews and reputation.
A general visit will involve realigning the vertebrae and some form of treatment to help relax the muscles. There are other factors, such as the cost of x-rays or extra time commitment of a first-time visit, that can ramp up the price, too.
You also want to think about how a visit will impact your quality of life. A chiropractic adjustment can improve circulation, help ease arthritis pain, improve energy, help your nervous system function better, and give you peace of mind. Plus, if you’re an athlete or avid jogger, a visit can boost your performance.
Know what your lifestyle demands from your body, and listen to your body. Then get the help you need to make sure it functions at its best!
The Botton Line
How often should you get a chiropractic adjustment? There’s not a clearcut answer, but there are key factors to consider — and you’re always better off talking with your doctor. Know that visiting a chiropractor can help boost your physical and mental health, and you’ll operate at a higher level.
When you’re ready to take action for your health and see a chiropractor, contact us and we will be happy to help you!
