How Long Does Chiropractic Adjustment Last?
How long does chiropractic adjustment last?
That all depends on the question you’re asking.
By now, you’ve heard about chiropractic care and you’re curious about the many ways it can reduce your pain, increase range of motion, and improve your overall quality of life.
But you also might be curious about what exactly you’re getting yourself into and how much time you’ll need to devote to your health.
In short, how long does chiropractic adjustment last?
There are two potential answers to this question, depending on what question you are asking:
- How long will my appointment last?
- How long will I need to keep coming back for treatment?
Question #1: How Long Does a Chiropractic Appointment Last?
It all depends on how thorough your doctor is, however, most chiropractor appointments last between 20-30 minutes.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, the adjustment itself typically only takes about 15 minutes, during which time Dr. Cough will adjust your spine as well as any other problem areas you choose to bring up.
After your adjustment, we usually recommend a 10-minute E-stim session to increase nerve flow to the area and promote healing. If you are getting a medical massage before your adjustment, E-stim is not necessary, but you will have to add between 30-60 minutes for the massage.
If this is your first visit to our office, your appointment may last longer so we can collect your medical history, hear more about your symptoms, and/or take X-rays (if medically necessary).
Why Are Chiropractic Appointments So Short?
If you’re used to seeing a general practitioner for care, a 30-minute appointment probably seems too short to do any good.
So, why are chiropractic appointments so short in comparison to traditional doctor visits? Well…because that’s all the time your chiropractor needs!
A treatment like physical therapy relies on strengthening your muscles in order to “pull” the joints back into place. As you might expect, it takes time for this to occur.
Chiropractic adjustments work by forcing your joints back to their proper position. Instead of gradually strengthening your core over many months, your chiropractor can simply readjust those joints and let your body start the important work of healing itself.
In addition, the quicker, sudden movements of a chiropractic adjustment activate the golgi tendon organs (GTOs) inside your muscles. When your GTOs undergo quick stretches, they signal your muscles to relax almost immediately.
Question #2: How Long Does Chiropractic Treatment Last?
The length of your chiropractic treatment will depend a great deal on your injury.
If you simply tweaked your neck by sleeping on the wrong pillow, you may only need a couple of adjustments before you feel as right as rain. If you were injured in a car accident, however, you might need treatment more frequently (depending on the diagnosis) to remain pain-free and to solve the issue.
Once your treatment is complete and your injury has healed, most chiropractors will recommend that you begin a “maintenance phase” to keep your body working properly.
Why Do Chiropractors Require So Many Visits?
A chiropractor can force your joints back into alignment, but over time, your body will start to return to whatever it considers “normal.” Regular adjustments help to undo the damage caused by poor posture, bad ergonomics at work, and anything else that may have contributed to the misalignment.
Over time, your joints and muscles will get used to their new normal and adjustments won’t be as urgent.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, we generally recommend that you return for an adjustment every 3-4 weeks. You may have noticed that this is far less than the frequency recommended by other chiropractors.
Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?
Yes! We know it does, because we see it every day.
Unfortunately, many people see chiropractic care as a pseudoscience that’s nothing more than a placebo effect. But the truth is that chiropractors are highly effective doctors who undergo just as much education as a medical doctor (albeit in a different medical field).
In fact, we’re happy to show you!
On your first visit, we will conduct a thorough examination, using X-rays to locate any areas that need special attention. After your adjustment, we’re willing to bet that you’ll feel a significant improvement in your symptoms.
Schedule Your Chiropractic Adjustment Today
At Oviedo Chiropractic, our goal is to provide safe, holistic pain relief free from the side effects of surgery and medications. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is here to make sure you get the best care possible in a safe, comfortable environment.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, we are also happy to provide a variety of medical massage techniques customized to your specific condition.
We are even open on Saturday from 8am-noon to accommodate your busy schedule.
Schedule your appointment today to get on the road to pain-free living!
