Chiropractic Care - How Often?

[Alex]

I trashed my knee in early June during a century and have been doing all manner of things to get better. I went to a physical therapist for exercises that I do daily, I went to sports doc/bike fitter who adjusted the number of shims under my cleat, I got custom footbeds, I started taking a boatload of supplements, and I started chiropractic treatment with someone who comes highly recommended by one of my cycling buddies. I also happened to need a new bike and I bought a custom frame that I've been on for a couple of weeks now. I switched to longer cranks, too. I've been going to the chiro since the beginning of July and I feel absolutely amazing. I'm also drinking a lot more water and have stopped eating refined sugar, dairy products, and wheat products, at the chiro's suggestion. I have never in my life felt as good as I do now. My neck is no longer stiff, I don't wake up with numb hands, and my knee feels better than it did even before I trashed it at the century.

So, here's my question. If you have had chiro treatments, how often do you go? The chiro believes I should continue to see him. He's an athlete himself and works on a lot of cyclists, runners, skiers, etc. He believes that continued treatment will actually increase my performance and make me stronger. I'm training for a 206-mile race that I plan to do as part of a 2-person relay team. The race is in early September. I'm a bit reluctant to continue, but only because of the time and money. He certainly hasn't steered me wrong yet and I wouldn't have believed that I could feel as good as I do right now. It seems impossible that I could reap even more benefits.

I should add that he also told me about quercetin, which acts like a natural antihistamine. So, now I'm off of pharmaceutical antihistamines, too. (I'm a bit annoyed, honestly, that not one of my allergists during my life bothered to tell me about that stuff!)

One more thing, he does also practice energy healing and acupressure, which he does after the adjustments. So, we're not talking all hard science here. I really shouldn't lump energy healing with acupressure, but I'm sure you get the point I'm trying to make.

Alex

[makbike]

The big question is does you insurance company pay for your visits? If so, how many visits are you allowed in a year?

[wolfak]

I go in for adjustments once a month. I've regained range of motion in my neck from an old endo that had me knocked out for 12+ hours. It can be an expensive habit however.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm a FIRM believer in chiropractics...others on here are not.

Unfortunately, chiropractors also have to make a living...and repeat business is important. So you have to be discerning.

Personally, I'd go as long as you feel a benefit. If you're not seeing a benefit, go in for a periodic adjustment every now and then.

[Iris616]

Has your Chiropractor talked to you about a plan of treatment? I love my chiropractor, and still go see him once a month or so. On my second visit with him we discussed a plan of treatment, so that I would know what to expect. He did the same thing when I took my 2 yeear old to him for chronic ear infections.

I like to know what to expect from any Dr that I go to.

[KnottedYet]

And your chiro should be teaching you how to do the adjustments and maintain yourself, to gradually wean you off of his skills and onto your own.

If you feel you've learned enough from him to manage yourself, it could be time to quit. Chiros are happy to have you come back for tune-ups when needed, or when you feel you need a bit more help.

All of us who do "bodywork" have the ultimate goal of making ourselves obsolete.

This is a quote from an old paper, and it's about PT, but it's one of my guiding thoughts: "No physical therapist can ever match the work of an educated patient." -James McGavin

The other one I really use to keep me on track with my work is: "If you have to do the same thing every time you see a patient, then you haven't improved anything." - John McWilliams