Why do chiropractors recommend a plan of care?

Chiropractors can be incredibly helpful when it comes to correcting structural imbalances, relieving pain, and providing comprehensive care that can help to relieve many different symptoms. Broadly speaking, chiropractic adjustments can be a huge blessing for people who are in pain or injured. However, many patients have wondered an important question when it comes to visiting the chiropractor: Why is one visit not enough? Why do you have to come back again, and again? There are some very legitimate reasons for that. Here’s an overview of why.

3 PHASES OF CARE

Many chiropractors understand the idea that care occurs in phases, not just in one good adjustment. This means that they believe that you will move towards more optimal health rather than a constant yo-yo of pain-free to pain-feeling.

First: Pain / Symptom Phase. This may take several visits close together for multiple weeks, you will feel less pain, more range of motion and flexibility. Along with some soft tissue work and mobility stretches to free up tightness in your muscles. Symptoms from dysfunction can often lurk in the background for a while before causing pain, therefore to make lasting change you must move on to phase 2.

Second: Stability and Change Phase: These phase visits are usually weekly and focus on not just proper alignment but exercises to strengthen the problem areas and teaching good habits so that your spine can become more stable and improve your overall posture. Sports massage is usually advised during this time to relieve remaining muscle adhesions and tension. After this phase it is then your choice to continue care, but most people then go on to what we call Wellbeing care.

Third: Wellbeing Phase: a chiropractor will work with you in order to improve your overall wellbeing and prevent pain returning, while still working towards your health goals. These visits are less often; usually fortnightly or monthly, depending on your lifestyle and life stresses. These visits correct spinal misalignments and restrictions that may come up, and will continue exercise advice and sports massage. 

All three of these phases can be significant projects and take multiple visits. Remember, instant healing is not real! Healing and wellbeing take place with time and investment from you. Repeated chiropractic visits are necessary because they can help you and your body at its optimal level which allows it better protect itself against what you put it through or what external stresses you encounter. 

CUMULATIVE IMPACT

Remember, just like any other treatment, the effect of chiropractic adjustments is cumulative. You need to make multiple visits because your body cannot simply pop back into alignment. While a single adjustment can help you relieve pain and get your body back to a state of full functioning, it is worth remembering that your body likely didn’t arrive in the pain that it is in overnight. Instead, it’s something that likely happened over time. The healing that will occur thanks to an adjustment will take place over time as well.

PREVENTATIVE CARE

The old saying of ‘prevention is better than a cure’ is an accurate one. This is what Wellbeing (maintenance) care is about. These regular check-ups that the chiropractor may recommend ensures that no problems are developing. Remember; the purpose of chiropractic visits like this is to stop you from being in pain. In this sense, a few Wellbeing visits may help you to prevent dozens of visits later down the line, as well as unknown amounts of pain or grief. 

VIEW IT LIKE MEDICINE

If, at the end of the day, you’re still struggling with a reason about why you need multiple visits, look at it this way: Let’s say you have a chest infection and go to the doctor, who prescribes you an antibiotic. You would never just take one dose of that medicine and be done with it, would you? Adjustments work the same way. Their effects occur over time, not in just one dose.

If you are struggling with pain and would like to book in a chiropractic consultation with us then please call 01202 604707 or email admin@wimbornewellnesscentre.co.uk to book in now :)