One of the most frequently asked questions in any chiropractor’s office is, “How often should I see a chiropractor?” or, “How often should I get a back adjustment?” or, “When should I get a chiropractic adjustment?”
The best way to determine this is to consult with a chiropractor one-on-one, as only a practicing chiropractor can provide their patient with a thorough, personalized treatment plan that includes information on the frequency of visits. However, other factors can be considered that help patients determine a rough estimate of how often they should see their chiropractor.
Determining Frequency of Chiropractic Visits
As a general rule, the frequency of chiropractic visits will be determined by how severe one’s symptoms are and how much treatment they need to correct misalignments and reduce unwanted symptoms. For people with congenital diseases that affect their spine or for patients with severe injuries, disabilities, physical limitations, or long-term healing problems, they may require visits as often as every other week or one to two times per week.
Patients who do not have severe symptoms and who are not suffering from spinal injuries or severe subluxation(s) (partial dislocation of a joint leading to misalignment), these patients may only need to see their chiropractor every other week or perhaps just once per month.
Age, lifestyle, physical activity, and the prevalence of home treatments, as well as adherence to aftercare exercises and stretches, can all impact the frequency of chiropractic care. For example, a chiropractor may assign their patient home exercises or stretches, which can help enhance and stabilize the results obtained from each chiropractic visit. A patient who diligently practices these exercises or stretches as prescribed by their chiropractor may require fewer adjustments in the future.
Survey Results: How Often Americans Get Back Adjustments
Survey data can shed light on how often Americans receive chiropractic adjustments. According to the American Chiropractic Association, approximately 14% of U.S. adults have sought chiropractic care in the past 12 months. At least half of U.S. adults have had an appointment with a chiropractor at least once in their lives. Roughly 35 million Americans are treated by chiropractors each year.[1]
Those are the total numbers, but how can one determine the suggested frequency of visits based on what other patients are doing? First, it’s essential to note that each patient is unique, and every patient should consult with their chiropractor to determine the frequency of chiropractic adjustments that are most suitable for them.
That being said, some studies suggest that among Americans who utilize chiropractic care for joint pain, these patients see their chiropractor about 11 times each year. People under 50 are more likely to see a chiropractor as their first choice for neck and back pain, and at least 25% of Americans have seen a chiropractor at least once in the past five years.
Some studies suggest the use of chiropractic care as a treatment for back pain is on the rise. One study attributes this to the ‘Chiropractic Care First’ movement, a coalition of medical professionals who direct patients to chiropractors as a first solution for back and neck pain and headaches. This movement came out of the 2000s and 2010s, a period when Americans were being put on addictive painkillers and experiencing significant harm as a result. Over the past decade, chiropractic care for pain management has experienced significant growth, as it offers a safe, effective, natural, and non-habit-forming approach to pain relief.[2]
How to Tell When You Need Another Adjustment
“Listen to your body,” says Cool Springs Chiropractic’s founder and lead chiropractor, Dr. Peter Hinz. “It will tell you when you need another adjustment.” When listening to the body, the most important symptom to listen and look for is this: Persistent pain or discomfort, especially in the back, neck, head, or joints.
Other signs one may need chiropractic care include:
- You are struggling with persistent aches and pains that don’t seem to reduce during stretching, exercising, changing sleep positions, and other interventions.
- Your lower back is often in pain, either when sitting, standing, moving, or lying down.
- You experience neck pain to the point where it’s affecting your quality of life.
- Your headaches don’t respond to typical treatments and headache interventions.
- You lead a primarily sedentary (seated) lifestyle. Even if there is no chronic pain present, people who have sedentary lifestyles often require frequent chiropractic adjustments.
- You notice a difference in your walking gait, and the soles of your shoes wear out differently.
- You experience sharp, shooting pains, like pinched nerves, in your legs or back.
Occasional back pain, neck pain, or joint pain is not unusual or unwarranted. Even people who receive chiropractic care will occasionally experience symptoms. But the following are some of the signs one is receiving sufficient chiropractic care:
- Neck pain is subdued or eliminated.
- Joint pain is dramatically reduced and manageable.
- Back pain is not chronic and not particularly severe.
- Headaches are infrequent, and when they do occur, they respond to traditional headache treatments.
When in Doubt, Schedule a Follow-Up
While there are plenty of tools and self-diagnosis methodologies one can use to determine how often to see a chiropractor, there is no replacement for simply discussing the matter with a certified and accredited chiropractor. A chiropractor who has had an opportunity to examine and adjust their patient will be able to provide a treatment plan that includes frequency of visits, aftercare options, and at-home remedies.
While a patient is following their personalized chiropractic treatment plan, if there is any doubt about whether they are approaching their spine and joint health correctly, the best approach is to schedule a follow-up, in-person visit with their chiropractor. The chiropractor can perform a quick physical examination to determine if the frequency of visits is sufficient as is or if it should be increased or decreased.
Chiropractic Care is Medical Care at the Best Chiropractor in Middle Tennessee
When Dr. Peter Hinz began providing the best chiropractic care in Franklin and Middle Tennessee at his Cool Springs clinic, his goal was to provide tailored care to each patient, ensuring every patient received treatment approaches specifically selected for their needs, delivered at a frequency schedule optimized for each individual.
To Dr. Hinz, establishing a doctor-patient relationship built on trust and the delivery of effective chiropractic care in Franklin is the cornerstone of Cool Springs Chiropractic. It’s also the reason why Dr. Peter Hinz is Franklin’s award-winning chiropractor and a prominent community member (Dr. Hinz was given the Williamson County Sizzle Award for the Best Williamson County Chiropractor for nine years in a row).
Dr. Peter Hinz says that Cool Springs Chiropractic treats chiropractic patients via a comprehensive approach that addresses the unique circumstances of each patient:
- “At Cool Springs Chiropractic, our expert team provides tailored chiropractic care to address our patients’ unique health needs, including the development of a tailored treatment plan that is unique to the patient. Whether patients are looking to relieve pain, improve mobility, or enhance their overall wellness, we’re here to help them achieve their goals through a patient-centered approach that accurately diagnoses conditions through the use of X-rays and then treats the underlying problems causing those symptoms. The result? Our patients leave our office feeling pain-free, healthier, happier, and more mobile.”
Schedule an appointment by calling (615) 503-9900 or use our online system to access a limited-time $49 New Patient Special. Our office is located at 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 13, in Franklin, Tennessee—email info@coolspringschiropractic.com for information or to ask a question.
Sources:
[1] ACA. “Key Facts and Figures About the Chiropractic Profession.” American Chiropractic Association, 2025. acatoday.org
[2] HCFY. “Study Finds Chiropractic Care on the Rise in America.” Home Care for You, 2018. homecareforyou.com
