When beginning a series of chiropractic visits, many patients wonder how many chiropractic alignments it will take before they start to see an improvement. Regular chiropractic treatment can significantly help reduce pain and headaches, improve mood, and manage the effects of chronic health conditions. However, the time it takes each patient to feel better will vary.
At ChiroCare of Florida, we treat patients with various conditions and chiropractic needs. Whether you're suffering from the aches and pains of everyday life, require treatment for an injury, or have a health condition that chiropractic alignments can help, we have providers who specialize in it all.
We perform thorough evaluations of each patient's muscular-skeletal system. We'll review your medical history and current symptoms during our initial consultation to customize your chiropractic visits to best meet your unique needs. From there, we'll develop a treatment plan and provide information on how soon you can expect to begin feeling better.
Keep reading to learn more about what chiropractic visits entail, how many chiropractic alignments you'll likely need to feel better, and an example of what your treatment plan may include.
What Does a Chiropractic Visit Include?
If you're visiting our office for the first time, you can expect to begin with a physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms and treatment goals. We'll talk about the type of pain you're experiencing and where on your body it hurts. We'll also perform a few basic exercises to determine the area's range of motion and mobility and pinpoint the cause of pain.
We may also review any prior medical imaging or tests you provide, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, particularly if you're seeking treatment for an injury. If you're seeking management for a chronic health condition such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis, we'll inquire as to the history of your disease, how it's progressing, and what you hope to gain from treatment.
From there, we'll develop a customized treatment plan to help your specific condition. We may recommend a course of physical therapy, a series of chiropractic adjustments, home exercises to complete between visits, and more. We'll set short- and long-term goals with you to measure progress throughout treatment. Then, as you have more visits, we'll continue to evaluate your progress and symptoms and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
How Many Chiropractic Visits Do You Need to Feel Better?
One of the most common questions is regarding how long it will take to feel better. The answer can vary significantly based on the condition we're treating and the extent of chiropractic treatment you require. For those healing from a sports injury or car accident, it may take weeks or months before you see complete improvement. Maintenance visits may be necessary indefinitely to help manage symptoms if you're addressing a chronic condition.
However, the good news is that many patients report at least some improvement in symptoms after just one visit. Most people can expect to see a significant reduction in symptoms within the first two weeks of treatment, with others requiring up to thirty days or more. The frequency of chiropractic visits will also make a difference in how long it takes to feel better. Those who receive chiropractic treatment two-to-three times a week during the initial stages of treatment report feeling better faster than those who come in less often.
After your initial improvement in symptoms, particularly if you're recovering from an injury, you can begin to space out your visits. For chiropractic maintenance, you may require visits just once weekly or bi-weekly. Sometimes, it's only necessary to come in once a month or when you notice a re-emergence of symptoms. Talk with your treatment provider throughout your visits to determine the best route.
What Does a Chiropractic Treatment Plan Look Like?
Chiropractic treatment plans will look different for every patient. This is because we treat such a wide variety of injuries and conditions, and everyone's body is unique. A treatment plan that may be appropriate for one person may not be suitable for another. When you visit ChiroCare of Florida, you can be sure that you'll receive customized treatment based on your specific needs, medical history, and comprehensive evaluation.
We may recommend a course of treatment that includes several chiropractic techniques, such as the following.
Chiropractic Alignments
Chiropractic alignments, also called chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation, occur when a provider uses sudden and abrupt force on specific spinal vertebrae. We'll recommend a spinal alignment if the curvature of your spine is off, if you're suffering from disc pain, tension headaches, lumbar spine pain, and more.
Chiropractic alignments result in improved spinal mobility, reduced back and neck pain, better posture, and relief from headaches and migraines. Many patients say they begin to feel better after just one spinal adjustment.
Instrument-Assisted Therapies
Many people suffer from damage to the soft tissue, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If this is the case, we may recommend instrument-assisted therapies such as ultrasound therapy, E-STIM, laser treatment, and more.
Instrument-assisted therapies employ handheld or machine-operated objects that target the soft tissue, relieving knots, breaking up scar tissue, and improving joint movement. These therapies are generally painless yet highly effective at reducing tension. Those who suffer sports injuries such as torn muscles, ACL injuries, and dislocations can often benefit from this type of chiropractic treatment.
Physical Therapy
If you're recovering from any injury, whether it be a slip & fall, car accident injury, or sporting injury, we may recommend that you participate in physical therapy. Physical therapy typically includes gentle stretching and light exercises that promote healing and help restore your body.
In addition to in-office physical therapy, your provider will likely teach you exercises and stretches to complete at home in-between visits. This can help speed the recovery process, helping you to feel better faster.
Massage Therapy
Some patients also benefit from massage therapy as part of their chiropractic treatment plan. Professional massage therapy utilizes pressure and movement to manipulate your body's soft tissue. It can help reduce pain and muscle tension, ease stress, promote healing, and improve your overall mood and well-being.
Your massage therapist will target the individual muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue associated with your pain. This can improve the function of nerves and bones, and the treatment includes long strokes, kneading, and circular movements around the tissue. Often, those with scar tissue from old injuries significantly benefit from this therapy.
Schedule an Appointment Today
While these are just a few therapies that a chiropractor may include in a treatment plan, various other techniques can also help. Contact us to schedule an appointment to find out which chiropractic treatment options are best for you.
We'll review your symptoms and set treatment goals at your first chiropractic visit. You may begin to feel better after just a single chiropractic alignment, or it may take a series of visits to see improvement. We'll let you know what you can expect during your initial consultation.
If you're suffering from back or neck pain, muscle tension, bodily injury, or a chronic health condition, chiropractic treatment may help improve your symptoms. Call (877) 388-2165 to start your journey to recovery today.
