How long will I have to go to a Chiropractor
What is Involved in Chiropractic Care?
There are a number of different reasons people seek chiropractic care. The most common reason is for pain relief. Once a patient is out of pain, many chose to continue care to correct the underlying condition that may have caused or contributed to the painful episode and there are millions of people who go to Chiropractors as their primary health care provider. Your personal reason for seeking Chiropractic care will impact how long you will continue care.
That being said, each individual case is different but your treatment plan can be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. If you are in pain from an injury, typically a few adjustments along with other therapy, such as ice, ultra-sound, or EMS (electric muscle stimulation) will help relieve the pain fairly quickly.
The overall recovery period depends upon a number of factors. If you were injured, the severity of an injury; if you have a chronic condition, how long you have had the condition; the general condition of your spine, joint, muscle, or other affected area. When you meet with Dr. Alexander, he will provide you with a recommended care plan which will let you know how long your treatment will be expected to last.
The main goal of Chiropractic care is restoring your body’s normal functions thereby enabling your body to heal naturally.
Below is a more detailed description of each type of Chiropractic care.
Stage #1: Relief Chiropractic
The majority of patients consult a chiropractor because they have pain or discomfort . The main objective of relief care is to eliminate or reduce your pain or discomfort and stabilize your condition in the shortest amount of time. Relief chiropractic care is also used in sudden onset pain such as that caused by an injury. The length of treatment period will vary, depending on the severity of the injury or underlying damage and is dependent upon your specific condition.
During this phase, progress is usually rapid. If you are not responding to chiropractic care during this phase, you may be referred to another health-care provider.
Stage #2: Corrective Chiropractic
Corrective chiropractic is designed to treat beyond immediate pain relief. The objective of this type of care is to correct the underlying conditions that may have led to your discomfort or been instrumental in the severity of an injury, strengthen the muscles, and improve neuro- musculoskeletal function. This process may be supplemented by rehabilitation exercises, nutrition, and modification of daily habits.
Many of the conditions for which people seek chiropractic care are the result of spinal or other structural problems which have developed over many years; therefore, correcting these problems is a true rehabilitative process. It is important to understand that it takes time to correct these conditions.
After your initial pain or discomfort has subsided, you and Dr. Alexander can discuss the benefits, if needed, of corrective care . If you choose to continue your healing process, Dr. Alexander will work with you to develop a care plan that meets your individual needs.
Stage #3: Wellness or Maintenance Chiropractic
Once you are out of pain or have completed your corrective care, you may choose to “graduate” to a wellness plan. This type of care is designed to maintain your improved health, encourage normal spinal and structural function, prevent the return of the original condition, and catch small problems before they become serious. A personal wellness chiropractic care program will be designed specifically for you where we teach you how to incorporate good nutrition and exercise habits into your everyday life, thereby promoting vitality, endurance, and the ability to enjoy life at its fullest.
The goal behind this type of chiropractic care is to prevent a recurrence of a painful condition or, in more severe cases, to stop your condition from getting any worse.
Few things as complicated as your body can be “fixed” and then ignored. Think of your car, your teeth, or your relationships. They take time and effort to maintain, but you know it’s worth it in the long run. That’s why we recommend a regular schedule of chiropractic check-ups.
