Chiropractic Care - How Often?

[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

[tulip]

When I started going to my chiro to help with my hip problem a few years ago, I was going 3 times a week at first. I had all kinds of issues. Then I started going twice a week, and then once, and then twice a month, and finally once a month. It was all part of the plan of treatment, and it worked. Luckily, the chiro office was just around the corner from where I worked.

Then I moved and have not been to one. But my condition has improved and I can actually make the adjustments myself when I'm stretching.

He also recommended Pilates, certain stretches, encouraged me to ride my bike more, tips on good posture, and suggested getting a better workspace set up. I have been able to continue all of those, except I couldn't bring my super-sweet ergo chair with me when I left my old job! But I'll get another one eventually.

[bluebug32]

I love my chiro too (ok, he happens to be my boyfriend). Even with him around all the time, I maybe get adjusted once or twice a month. I think the best practitioners are the ones who give you the tools (stretches, heat, etc) to manage your own pain. For example, I don't just get adjusted, but he shows me where my trigger points are and how I can work them out myself.

[Alex]

Thanks, everyone. It helps a lot to know how others have proceeded. He has given me stretches and some core exercises to supplement what the PT gave me. They really helped with my stiff neck and my numb hands. I'll have to ask him about adjusting myself. I didn't even know that was possible. What do you do? Attached a bungee cord to your foot, run it through a hook on the wall, and then lie back and yank the cord? LOL!

It's interesting because all of the people I have seen (sports doc/bike fitter/PT/chiro) agree that I have a longstanding muscle imbalance on my left side. Now that I am working to correct that, I have better posture and I feel like I walk and run and pedal so much more smoothly. Very cool stuff.

Alex

[shootingstar]

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

Knotted's advice is good and worth pondering about.

I've never gone to chiropractor. I've seen a physiotherapist twice over 20 years ago.

When I get back pain, I find the best thing is to do my little simple floor exercise routine at home of simple yoga moves, pilates and tai chi warm ups. And I don't sweat doing these exercises.

My back pain is gone in a few hrs. and I sleep well that evening.

Of course, for this preventive stuff to work for me, is doing it regularily several times per week, which I'm falling off the wagon more recently.