If you suffer from back pain, neck pain, or joint problems and are considering chiropractic care for the first time, you may have some questions. The most frequent questions we get are “how long does a chiropractic adjustment last?” and “how long does a chiropractic session take?”.
It is impossible to say definitively how long the treatment plan will continue or the average time of each visit because different factors dictate the duration and frequency of the adjustment session. For some, it may take as little as a few minutes and, for some, a lifetime.
To help out with your first visit to a chiropractor and the expectations related to it, we have compiled a helpful guide that will answer your questions.
What should you expect at your first chiropractor appointment?
At your first appointment, the chiropractor will examine your medical history and any conditions of concern, followed by a thorough chiropractic exam. They will then craft a personalized treatment plan that involves various therapies, exercises, precautions, the time span of each appointment, number of sessions, cost, and more.
Chiropractors can find the root cause of joint, nerve, and musculoskeletal dysfunction in your body. A chiropractor practitioner applies a precise force on an affected area using hands or instruments, removing subluxations (functional disturbances) through spinal manipulation and joint therapies. Consequently, it improves mobility and pain symptoms.
The chiropractor can help you with conditions like:
- Neck pain
- Lower Back Pain, sciatica
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Inflammation
- Restricted range of motion
And more!
How Long Is A Chiropractic Visit?
The duration of a chiropractic appointment typically ranges from 15-45 minutes. Generally, the first visit tends to be a bit longer than the subsequent visits, as it requires an assessment of your condition and a thorough investigation of your medical history. The following sessions may take up to 5-10 minutes.
The frequency of visits depends entirely on your condition; depending on the severity of your conditions and your body’s response to treatment, treatment can range from multiple times a week to once or twice a month. The pain severity and healing rate also differ from person to person; generally, you may feel better after the first few sessions with your chiropractor. Chiropractic treatment is not an event but a process, there isn’t any quick fix when it comes to health care.
For getting long-term benefits, the treatment plan is customized to meet each person’s needs effectively. This care plan requires a set of guidelines that require complete compliance from the patient.
The program may include:
- Weekly visits
- In-home care with ergonomic tools
- Regular stretching
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Your treatment program could be anywhere from a couple of months long to a year long.
Why Do You Have to Keep Coming Back?
Although chiropractic adjustment can align the spine, break the scar tissues, and reduce inflammation, pain may still return, but sessions will be on a less rigorous schedule once your chiropractor feels comfortable reducing the frequency of your visits. Some chiropractors offer a maintenance program after the end of regular sessions, and you may include these chiropractic sessions in your daily workout routine.
What to wear to a chiropractic appointment?
It’s a pretty common question among first-time visitors of the chiropractor, and there is no specific answer to it. However, wearing thin and stretchy fabrics and flexible clothing is always recommended. It’s better to wear shorts or workout pants instead of dress pants, skirts, or jeans.