Chiropractic adjustments seek to realign the spine and musculoskeletal system to promote healing and reduce pain and discomfort. The human body is malleable and movable, which enables people to move about and accomplish daily tasks. But that mobility can come with a cost: over 35 million Americans per year experience misalignments in their back, neck, and broader musculoskeletal system, requiring chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment.[1]
People who suffer from chronic pain, those with headaches, people who have experienced a loss in mobility and wellness, patients who desire a more holistic, noninvasive approach to healing and pain relief, there is a long list of people who are good candidates for chiropractic adjustments.
The most common question these individuals ask is, “How many chiropractic visits do I need?”
The Science Behind Chiropractic Adjustments
To understand how many chiropractic adjustments are needed to promote healing and pain relief, one must first understand how chiropractic adjustments work. Gentle adjustments carefully move the spine back into its correct position, typically providing initial relief for the patient after just 1 to 4 visits.
But if one does not continue to receive adjustments, it’s likely their spine will go out of alignment again.
Most patients experience significant relief within 1 to 3 months of chiropractic care. The frequency of visits is determined during a one-on-one consultation with a chiropractor, but the average timeline for healing and recovery is 1 to 3 months.
With frequent visits over at least a month, the patient’s spine and musculoskeletal system are gently encouraged to resume an aligned position. That realignment promotes better blood flow, pain-free nervous system function, and improved overall mobility.
The Number of Adjustments is Typically Determined by the Severity of the Condition
One to three months of treatment may be the average, but it cannot be overstated that the number of chiropractic visits a patient needs is almost entirely dependent on their physical health and diagnoses.
Injury patients who have experienced an acute accident or temporary hardship, such as a sports injury or a slip-and-fall, may require only a few visits to promote alignment and reduce pain. Patients with long-term or chronic health conditions like chronic back and neck pain, sciatica, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, frequent headaches, migraines, and joint pain may require a long-term treatment plan.
Patients who have experienced moderately serious spinal injuries or ailments like a ruptured disc can often take several months before they begin experiencing significant relief that lasts. As a general rule, recent strains or acute injuries heal faster than musculoskeletal problems that have persisted for a long time.
Also, the location of the pain and the cause of the pain significantly impact the number of visits needed to treat it. As a general rule, bones mend faster (weeks) than ligaments and tendons do (6-8 weeks), which themselves heal faster than injuries or ailments in the spinal discs or cartilage (three or more months).
Another factor to consider is the patient themselves. How old are they? What is their overall health like? What is their diet and exercise regimen like? Are they overweight or underweight? Age, overall health, stress, and sleep patterns and routines affect the body’s response to spinal misalignment.
Last but not least, lifestyle also greatly influences the healing process and the number of adjustments one will need. Poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle can exacerbate spinal misalignment and other musculoskeletal issues. Conversely, a highly labor-intensive lifestyle with significant physical strain can also make recovery more complicated and extensive.
Every patient is different, and the importance of a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified chiropractor cannot be overstated when determining how many chiropractic adjustments are needed to reduce pain. That said, patients are most likely to experience relief when they come in for frequent initial visits (about 1 to 3 times per week) during the initial treatment phase. Once the patient’s body begins to respond positively to the adjustments, visits can be tapered to a lower frequency to ensure the body stays in alignment.
Schedule Safe, Non-Invasive Chiropractic Adjustments Today
Chiropractic care is not a cure-all for all health maladies. Chiropractic adjustments are often best described as restorative care or as a natural medicine, critically important medical interventions that patients use alongside other treatments as needed to promote healing and pain-free living.
For example, if a patient is in a car accident, suffers a workplace-related injury, or experiences spine or limb strain or injury due to overexertion during exercise, a slip or fall, or other incident, they should always seek medical treatment and obtain a medical assessment of the injury first.
Once the injury, dislocation, whiplash, or strain has been assessed, diagnosed, and treated, the patient can begin chiropractic care to support the body’s natural healing process. The best chiropractors in Franklin, the best chiropractors in Nashville, and the best chiropractic providers in Tennessee are ready and available to help patients at Cool Springs Chiropractic.
Dr. Peter Hinz and his team of specialists strive to deliver exemplary service. Cool Springs Chiropractic is an award-winning chiropractic practice in Tennessee. Quoting Dr. Hinz:
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“At Cool Springs Chiropractic, our expert team provides tailored chiropractic care to address our patients’ unique health needs in collaboration with their primary care provider and other specialists. No matter what the severity of the condition is, we’re here to diagnose the problem and do everything we can to help patients experience relief without invasive surgeries or costly medication. The result? Our patients leave our office feeling pain-free, healthier, happier, more mobile, and ready to experience a better quality of life as they embark on a pathway to healing and full body restoration.”
Schedule an appointment by calling (615) 503-9900 or by using our online system to take advantage of our limited-time $49 New Patient Special.
Our office is located at 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 13, in Franklin, Tennessee. For information or to ask a question, email us at info@coolspringschiropractic.com.
Sources:
[1] TGB. “25 Chiropractic Statistics (and Facts): Crunching the Numbers.” The Good Body, 2022. thegoodbody.com
