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How Often Should You See A Chiropractor?

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How often should you see a chiropractor? This depends on your pain severity, health, and lifestyle. This article breaks down visit frequency for conditions like acute and chronic pain, and offers guidance for maintenance care, athletes, pregnant women, and children.

Key Takeaways

  • The frequency of chiropractic visits varies based on individual needs, pain severity, and overall health, with serious conditions requiring more frequent sessions.
  • An initial consultation is crucial for developing a personalized treatment plan, including thorough evaluations and open communication with the chiropractor.
  • Regular maintenance chiropractic care is important for preventing injuries and improving overall health, with recommendations typically ranging from bi-weekly to monthly visits.

Determining Your Chiropractic Needs

Evaluating your chiropractic needs requires considering factors like the type and severity of your pain, overall health, and lifestyle. Chiropractors often assess these elements during an initial consultation to create a personalized treatment plan. Personal health, pain level, and treatment goals significantly influence how often you should visit a chiropractor. For instance, someone with a physically demanding job might require more frequent chiropractic adjustments compared to someone with a sedentary lifestyle.

guy getting back adjustments at chiropractor

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should see a chiropractor. The number of required chiropractic visits depends on each individual’s needs. Serious conditions like whiplash or scoliosis may require more frequent visits, while minor issues might need only a few sessions. Chiropractors tailor their treatment recommendations based on the specific type and severity of pain, whether it’s back pain, shoulder pain, or recurring muscle spasms.

Chiropractic care is not limited to a specific demographic. It can be tailored to different populations, including athletes, pregnant women, and children. Recognizing your specific chiropractic needs is key for achieving optimal health and wellness through regular visits.

Initial Consultation and Evaluation

Your first visit to a chiropractor is crucial as it sets the foundation for your chiropractic care. During this initial consultation, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical exam and assess your medical history. This step helps in developing a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs. A posture analysis is often part of the exam to determine the best treatment approach. X-rays may also be taken if necessary, especially in cases of recent injuries or suspected spinal deformities.

Effective communication with your chiropractor during this initial consultation is key. Actively participating by asking questions and discussing health concerns is encouraged. This collaborative approach helps in building a treatment plan that you are comfortable with and committed to following. The chiropractor will also explain the science behind chiropractic care, helping you understand how it can benefit your health.

The initial consultation aims to diagnose your condition and set realistic expectations for your treatment journey. By the end of the first visit, you should clearly understand the recommended treatment plan and follow-up visit frequency to achieve your health goals.

Frequency Based on Pain Severity

How often you visit a chiropractor depends largely on the severity of your pain. Acute pain, chronic pain, and minor issues each require different approaches and visit frequencies. Chiropractors adjust their treatment recommendations based on the severity of your condition to provide optimal pain relief and promote healing.

Let’s delve into how visit frequency can vary based on the type and severity of pain you are experiencing.

Acute Pain

When dealing with acute pain, such as that resulting from a recent injury or a specific incident like a car accident, frequent chiropractic visits are often necessary. For acute pain, chiropractors may recommend up to three visits per week initially. This frequency helps to manage pain and improve mobility quickly. Conditions such as disc problems or severe muscle spasms may require 2 to 3 chiropractic visits weekly.

Frequent visits initially help in relieving pain and preventing the condition from worsening. Signs that more frequent chiropractic care is needed include ongoing pain and limited mobility. As acute pain subsides, visit frequency can gradually decrease.

Chronic Pain

Woman getting neck treatment with massage gun at chiropractor

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting longer than six months, often requires a different approach. Chronic pain sufferers may need frequent chiropractic visits initially, with multiple sessions often required for initial relief. Patients with chronic conditions typically need regular maintenance care and a long-term treatment approach that may span multiple years.

As pain improves, visit frequency generally decreases. Many patients find relief after a week or two of regular care, with visits eventually decreasing to every two weeks. This long-term approach effectively manages chronic pain and improves overall quality of life, allowing patients to live a more pain free existence.

Minor Issues

Minor pain issues usually require a less intensive approach. Individuals with minor pain may need one or two initial treatments, followed by weekly visits. For example, those with sprains or muscle spasms might only need to visit the chiropractor once or twice during the first week or two, and then weekly thereafter.

A few visits often significantly improve minor pain cases, helping patients return to normal activities quickly and relieve pain through soft tissue therapy. This approach is ideal for addressing minor issues before they develop into more significant problems.

Maintenance and Preventive Care

Maintenance care forms a cornerstone of chiropractic treatment. Regular chiropractic adjustment helps preserve optimal body function and prevent injuries. Typically, patients are recommended to visit the chiropractor bi-weekly or monthly for ongoing maintenance care. This preventive care approach helps in maintaining proper alignment, improving joint mobility, and supporting overall health.

Regular chiropractic visits offer benefits beyond pain relief. Regular chiropractic care can improve recovery times for athletes, enhance digestive health, boost immune function, improve sleep quality, and even lower blood pressure. These benefits make regular chiropractic visits a vital part of a holistic health regimen.

Following up with your chiropractor on a consistent basis allows for the management of chronic conditions and ensures that any new issues are addressed promptly. This ongoing care approach helps in maintaining a high quality of life and preventing future health problems.

Special Considerations

Certain groups of people have unique chiropractic needs that require special considerations. Athletes, pregnant women, and children are among those who may benefit from specialized chiropractic care. Each individual’s chiropractic needs will differ based on pain level, overall health status, and personal lifestyle.

Let’s explore how chiropractic care is tailored to meet the needs of these special groups.

Athletes

Athletes, regardless of their level, can greatly benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments. Top athletes rely on chiropractic care to maintain peak performance. Chiropractic treatments enhance athletic performance by increasing joint mobility and reducing pain, allowing better movement.

Athletes seek chiropractic care for pain relief, performance enhancement, and injury prevention. Consistent chiropractic care helps in maintaining the body’s musculoskeletal structure, which is key for peak athletic performance.

Pregnant Women

Before:

Pregnant women find chiropractic care highly beneficial. It can alleviate lower back pain and shorten labor duration. Specialized prenatal chiropractic care at Impact Chiropractic uses techniques specific to the prenatal body. This care helps expecting mothers experience fewer complications and reduced back pain, and it can lower the chance of developing postpartum depression.

After:

Pregnant women find chiropractic care highly beneficial, as it can:

  • Alleviate lower back pain
  • Shorten labor duration
  • Help expecting mothers experience fewer complications
  • Reduce back pain
  • Lower the chance of developing postpartum depression

Specialized prenatal chiropractic care at Impact Chiropractic uses techniques specific to the prenatal body.

Adjustments during pregnancy address the unique needs of the prenatal body, providing significant relief and promoting overall health.

Children

Children benefit from chiropractic care for various health conditions. Pediatric chiropractors receive specialized training from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to provide gentle techniques tailored to children’s needs. Chiropractic adjustments can address numerous conditions in children, including ADHD, asthma, breastfeeding difficulties, colic, constipation, ear infections, headaches, sleep problems, and respiratory problems.

Regular care can improve a child’s immune system, potentially reducing instances of colds, ear infections, and general illnesses. This approach helps in promoting overall health and well-being in children.

Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Visits

Guy getting neck adjusted at chiropractor

The benefits of regular chiropractic visits are extensive and well-documented. Chiropractic treatments are effective for ailments such as chronic low back pain, contributing to overall long-term health improvements. Comprehensive adjustments can improve organ function, blood flow, and joint flexibility.

Regular chiropractic sessions significantly enhance quality of life by reducing pain and discomfort. Patient testimonials often highlight how chiropractic care has enabled them to lead more active and fulfilling lives. For instance, Josh and Lauren L.’s husband no longer complains of back pain and can now exercise, hike, play sports, bike ride, and stand at work without pain, significantly improving his quality of life.

Regular chiropractic care is linked to improved sleep, reduced headaches, and overall well-being. These benefits highlight the importance of including chiropractic visits in your regular health routine.

What to Expect During Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up visits assess treatment outcomes and adjust your care plan as needed. These visits typically last 15 to 30 minutes but can extend if further evaluation or adjustments are needed. During these visits, chiropractors will perform chiropractic adjustments, which involve controlled thrusts to alleviate joint symptoms.

Patients should use follow-up visits to discuss any changes in their condition, review diagnostic test results, and receive recommendations for lifestyle changes or physical therapy rehabilitation exercises.

Regular follow-up appointments ensure treatment effectiveness and continued progress toward health goals.

Can You Go to the Chiropractor Too Much?

Though regular chiropractic care is beneficial, overdoing it is possible. Excessive spinal manipulation can lead to a condition known as over-manipulation syndrome, which may result in chronic discomfort and muscle spasms. This condition occurs when unnecessary adjustments are made to the body.

Chiropractors recommend following their advice to avoid unnecessary adjustments and ensure beneficial visits. Monitoring your body’s response to adjustments and consulting with your chiropractor if you experience negative reactions can help prevent over-visiting. If needed, you can always get a chiropractic adjustment.

If you have any concerns about the frequency of your chiropractic visits, it’s always best to speak with a healthcare professional.

Summary

The frequency of chiropractic visits is highly individualized, depending on factors such as pain severity, overall health, and specific needs. Regular chiropractic care offers benefits, from pain relief to improved overall health. Whether you’re an athlete, a pregnant woman, or a parent seeking care for your child, chiropractic adjustments can make a significant difference in your quality of life. By understanding your chiropractic needs and following a tailored treatment plan, you can achieve optimal health and wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I see a chiropractor for acute pain?

If you’re dealing with acute pain, it’s often suggested to see a chiropractor up to three times a week at the beginning to help manage your discomfort and regain mobility. Just remember, this can vary based on your specific needs!

What can I expect during my first chiropractic visit?

You can expect a comprehensive physical exam and a review of your medical history during your first chiropractic visit, along with a personalized treatment plan designed just for you.

Are regular chiropractic visits beneficial for athletes?

Absolutely, regular chiropractic visits can boost athletic performance by enhancing joint mobility and minimizing pain, which leads to improved movement overall. It’s a great way to keep your body in top shape!

How can chiropractic care benefit pregnant women?

Chiropractic care can really help pregnant women by easing lower back pain, shortening labor time, and potentially lowering the risk of postpartum depression. It’s a great way to support your well-being during this special time!

Can children benefit from chiropractic care?

Absolutely, children can benefit from chiropractic care for issues like ADD/ADHD, asthma, and sleep problems. It’s worth considering if your child is experiencing any of these conditions.

Proper Structure Means Proper Function

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As chiropractors, we have a saying that we love to use with our patients —  “proper structure = proper function.” This goes for a lot of things. Cars, bridges, buildings, they all need proper structural integrity in order to function the way they’re supposed to. And the same goes for your body! Chiropractors look at the body as a whole and understand that health is more than how you’re feeling. It’s about how you’re FUNCTIONING. That’s why our team at Impact Chiropractic is so excited to join up with Break Free this year and be a part of such an amazing event. As Fort Collins chiropractors, we are honored to support this amazing community in its pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. We’ll be offering complimentary spinal screenings at the festival which will give you insight into how your body is truly functioning. As female chiropractors, we are extremely thorough and take time to assess what’s going on within the body, as opposed to just treating symptoms.

Function is especially important when it comes to health and fitness. Being healthy is more than just going to the gym; It’s what you eat, what you read, what you listen to, who you hangout with, etc. Your Nervous System is what processes all of these things, and it also coordinates and controls every single function in our body. From telling your legs to run or your muscles to contract, the Nervous System is what makes this happen. Since the spine protects this system, it’s our job to make sure it’s properly aligned. If not, this directly affects the nerves and muscles, which can alter athletic performance and biomechanics. When it comes to exercise it’s incredibly important to have good alignment, and as Fort Collins chiropractors we want to keep our community as healthy and aligned as possible. Because proper structure = proper function, that means healthier nerves, stronger muscles, and better health and fitness! We love serving Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado communities with chiropractic care. Come see why we were voted the #1 chiropractors in best of NOCO!

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Working From Home Got You Stressed?

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Well folks, we are approaching the 1 year “corona-versary” and for many of you that means you’ve been working from home and really starting to feel the effects of it. Stress, anxiety, and overall tension has skyrocketed, overwhelm is setting in, and you’re ready to get back to some normalcy (we feel ya). Until then, we’ve laid out some tips & tricks to help get you through those long WFH days and feeling more like yourself again.

Separate Your Space

work from home stress tips

Our environment greatly influences our state of mind. With that being said, it might be difficult to get into a productive groove with 90 Day Fiancé blaring in the background. That’s why setting up a separate space in your home for you to get your work done is so important. If you don’t have a separate office space to do this, no worries! There are many options that can help you work efficiently from your home.

One strategy is to create an area in a room that’s separated from everything else. You can do this by facing your desk towards the wall, moving around furniture to section it off, or even changing around décor. However it might look, the goal is to create a separate and distinct space so when you enter it you can switch into a productivity mindset. Another important tip is to create rules to prevent any distractions and disturbances while working in your home office. You can do this by communicating with your household and letting them know what hours of the day you can’t be disturbed. Or you can create a system that lets everyone know you’re “unavailable”. I.e. hanging something on the door, creating a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign, or simply shutting the door. Using noise cancelling headphones is another simple option.

Design the Ideal Setup

work from home setup

This goes hand in hand with Tip #1; the aesthetic of your space can greatly affect your attitude and mindset. This doesn’t mean you have to go all ‘Extreme Home Makeover’ and completely revamp everything. This could simply look like purchasing a new plant for your office, hanging up some inspiring quotes and photos, or adding a new light to the room. Whatever you choose to add it should help put you into a productive headspace and be a source of focus and inspiration.

Proper Ergonomics

standing desk for posture

As people continue to work from home, our society has become more and more sedentary. Currently what that means for the majority of the population is sitting 5 days a week for 40 hours as demanded by their jobs. If you haven’t heard yet, sitting is the new smoking. Sitting for long periods of time is actually detrimental to your health due to lack of movement, decreased circulation, and improper biomechanics. All of this leaves you more susceptible to injuries and degeneration, especially in your spine.

So, the way your workstation is setup matters greatly and can be the difference between promoting better health or accelerating degeneration. When setting up your computer you want to make sure the screen is at eye level to prevent forward flexion of your neck. You can do this by purchasing a standing desk, monitor stand, or simply stacking books underneath to raise it up. You’ll want to sit so your elbows and knees are at 90 degrees, and your feet are flat on the floor. Your back should be straight with shoulders back and down.  Using a fully adjustable chair will help to accommodate this position; if needed you can place a platform (boxes, books, etc.) underneath your feet to help. If your current chair is uncomfortable, try using a wobble cushion or a lumbar support to help with your posture.

Take Frequent Breaks

taking breaks to beat work from home stress

Even though you’re technically “at work”, it’s okay to let yourself have some downtime and take a break once in a while. Research shows that small frequent breaks actually boost productivity and mood throughout the day. So basically working less means getting more done?? We’re here for it! Try to take a 5-10 minute break every hour to move your body and clear your mind. Go for a stroll down the block, play with your dog, or do a quick yoga flow to get things stretched and moving again. It doesn’t matter what you do, just get up and move! Your body will thank you.

Create a Routine

routines to beat work from home stress

The days seem long but the weeks are short. Working from home can create a type of vortex where all of a sudden it’s Thursday but you swear the week just started. With mental health issues on the rise, creating a self-care routine during this time is more important than ever. Here are some simple things to implement into your day-to-day to help establish structure in your WFH routine. 

  • Get ready for the day, even if it’s just to go out to your living room. Going through the process of getting ready will help set the tone for the rest of your day. 
  • Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time. This helps set your circadian rhythm and biological clock.
  • Eat meals at regular times.
  • Start and end your workday at the same time. When working from home, the lines can easily blur between work and home life. If you normally end work at 5pm, the same should go when you’re working from home. This allows you to be fully present so you can enjoy your life outside of work. 
  • Keep up a daily exercise schedule — have grace with yourself, this doesn’t mean you have to run a 5K every day. Aim for intentional movement, even if it means a quick 10 minute stretch sesh, just get up and move!

See a Chiropractor

fort collins chiropractic adjustment

Regularly seeing a chiropractor is one of the best things you can do to combat the stressors in your life. Chiropractors work with the spine and nervous system, which is where a majority of stress is stored. Regular adjustments help your body adapt to the physical, chemical, and emotional stress in your life.

Because adjustments affect the nervous system, AKA the master control system of your body, this helps keep everything feeling and functioning as good as possible. Chiropractic also helps your body recover quicker meaning less aches, pains, and tension throughout the day. So whether it’s physical stress from sitting at your computer all day, or emotional stress from let’s say…working through a pandemic, chiropractic ensures that your brain and body are functioning optimally so you can continue being the WFH boss that you are! Visit your Fort Collins Chiropractor to learn how you can benefit from chiropractic care.

Tips to Love Yourself

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Gratitude Journal to Self Love

tips for self love

Gratitude can be the most powerful mental force we have by helping to improve overall wellbeing and self love. When you have a positive outlook on life it creates more positivity in all aspects. One of the hardest things to be grateful for is… your body. However, we forget all that our body has done for us. From staying up late hours to complete little work tasks, hiking 14ers and birthing babies. Our bodies have been there for us in the thick of it all and they are still going strong. Being able to show gratitude toward your body is a great step in truly accepting yourself.

Impacts favorite way to start journaling is to associate it with a task that you already do on a daily basis this allows you to pick up your new habit faster. The mornings are a great time to set intentions for the day in a positive state. When doing journaling at night you can reflect on all the good that has come about. Find a time that speaks to you. Write down the top 5 things you are grateful for that day and why. Write down the thing you are most proud of yourself from that day. Make sure to include lots of loving words about your body!!

Surround Yourself with Supporters

Having a tribe can be the key you need to gain the confidence to own yourself. It’s best to have individuals that are ready to hype up your new outfit before going on your date, that will stomp on all the naysayers and will be there for you no matter what. Having a group that can support you is so important but also seeing others own their bodies, lives and quirks can give you the confidence you need. 

Affirmations for Self Love

Affirmations are one of the best ways to start off your mornings to get into the right mindset. Did you know that as an Impact team we start every shift with affirmations? So many benefits have been noted from being able to help keep you motivated and on top of goals to keeping your self confidence and self positivity up. From affirmations specific for new mamas, for goal setting badass’s or even body positivity there are so many.

Follow Influencers with your Body Type

It is so important for women to actually see other women with similar builds, body types and personalities. Many of the mainstream media showcase unrealistic figures and ideals in women that only 1 percent of the population can obtain. Leading to many of us struggling to figure out why we are so different. Rather than accepting who we are and rocking the body and the mind we were given. When on social media and getting to see other individuals of similar stature rocking it can help us with the confidence we need to succeed. 

Rock it and own it

In today’s world we are in open season for everyone’s rude comments and opinions. Despite what feedback you get which is mostly awesome and may have some not so awesome content mixed in. It’s about you, not about them. It’s about embracing yourself and showing all those individuals what you’re made of. Your biggest supporter has to be you. You have to love yourself, your body and your mind. No one else can fulfill that need for you.

Flu Season Debunked: Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

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chiropractic flu remedies and flu prevention

With “flu season” approaching, we wanted to take some time and debunk some of the myths about flu season. Yes, the seasons are changing, and yes it gets colder outside, but many other things are changing rapidly during these times as well. 

 

As soon as October hits, our mind starts getting into holiday mode. What are we going to get for gifts for everyone this year? Who will be hosting? What are we cooking? In-laws coming to stay at your house? Kids parties every day at school, where you are supposed to make a treat? Its craziness!!

 

We stress ourselves out as soon as the holidays start approaching, and this is what can lead to decreased immunity and getting sick. Top it all off with the Halloween candy, and multiple thanksgiving meals, and ALL the christmas cookies, and you have yourself a one way ticket down to fever town. When our bodies are stressed, it is important to take care of it through mindful minutes, chiropractic adjustments, self care, and proper fuel and nutrition. We talk a lot about stress in our office, because stress is the inability to adapt. Adaptability comes from having a strong and well functioning nervous system, and it is our specialty to take care of your nervous system and make sure that it is in the best state of adaptability for you to handle any type of stressors that come your way.

 

If you do feel something coming on, some of our favorite immune boosting tips are:

  1. Get adjusted!
  2. Elderberry shots every morning
  3. Vitamin D3
  4. Vitamin C
  5. REST
  6. Stay hydrated! We need at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day, and even more when our immune system is fighting extra hard.

 

You can see how with all of this additional stress not only to our minds, but our bodies throughout the holidays that we can feel a crash or that our immune system is weaker. We know that we can’t always change the external stressors in our lives, but we are able to do as much as we can to make sure our bodies are responding in the best way possible to fight off any illness that may come its way.

Workspace Ergonomics

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Sit at a desk all day long?  Have shoulder and neck pain?  These two questions tend to go hand in hand with each other.  Sitting at a desk can be detrimental to your health in many ways, but the placement of your work materials is important.  Here are a few easy changes that you can make to your desk:

1.  Move your mouse:  When your mouse is not placed properly, you have to strain to reach it. This will cause long-term strain to the muscles of the arm, shoulder, and neck.  By simply placing it closer to you, without having to reach for it, your muscles will become more relaxed. If you are at your computer all day, consider purchasing a ball mouse, these are ideal for optimal hand positioning.

2.  Adjust your armrests:  If your chair has armrests, make sure they are parallel to the floor.  Adjust them so that they keep your arms at a natural 90-degree angle.

3.  Prop up your computer screen:  Many times desk jobs include long, tedious hours staring at a computer screen.  If this is you, check out to see the position of your monitor.  The top of the screen should be roughly 2 inches above your eye level.  Anything lower will cause you to have a strain on your neck muscles.

4. Feet flat on the floor: As tempting as it is to cross your legs try to avoid this at all costs. Crossing your legs causes an imbalance in your pelvis and hips.  Which can, in turn, cause low back pain and interference to the nerves going to your digestive tract and reproductive organs.

4.  Take breaks:  Nobody should be sitting for hours at a time without getting up.  Every ten to twenty minutes, get up and stretch.  Take a short walk around the office.  Anything that gets you up and moving! We love Stand Up! The Work Break Timer app, that allows you to set reminders throughout the day to remind you to get up and move around. Here is a list of our favorite desk stretches, make a habitat to start integrating these into your routine breaks.

5.  See your chiropractor:  When you sit for the majority of your day, your body tends to be misaligned.  You start to develop improper motion, strained muscles and don’t feel your best.  By having a chiropractor remove misalignments to your spine, you will be feeling good and working better than you ever have before!

Our Fort Collins Chiropractors are here to help.  They can also come to your work and check out your ergonomics for you and your entire staff.  Our doctors love to bring new and beneficial information to peoples’ workspaces and offices, bring everyone a free lunch, and spread wellness to the Fort Collins community.  If this sounds like something you would like to do for your office, contact Impact Chiropractic at (970) 223-5501.