These days, many people turn to a chiropractor for help with chronic pain, as spine and joint misalignments can contribute to numerous painful conditions. Chiropractic adjustments can correct misalignments and provide relief, but it takes more than one appointment to achieve lasting results.
How long does a chiropractic adjustment last? Will you need a handful of appointments or treatment that lasts months to get the results you seek? Our chiropractors at The Ozzie Smith Center for Regenerative Medicine are happy to address these common concerns in our post below.
How Seeing a Chiropractor in Chesterfield, MO Supports Everyday Wellness
People have many reasons for seeking chiropractic care, which uses manual therapies, including spinal manipulations, to help the body heal itself. Chiropractic adjustments focus on the musculoskeletal system and target pain at its source. The treatments are natural, as they don’t require medications or invasive procedures, making them an attractive alternative to surgeries and prescription drugs.
Partnering with a skilled chiropractor in Chesterfield, MO, can help address the issues many people experience from daily activities. Everything from unmanaged stress to sitting for long hours at work can cause migraines, neck pain, back pain, and general soreness that may worsen over time. Daily habits and injuries can cause the spine to move out of alignment, creating an adverse effect on your nervous system.
Long-Term Results of Chiropractic Adjustments: Key Benefits
Before learning the answer to “How long does a chiropractic adjustment last?” it helps to understand the benefits of the treatment. The key advantage of the service is pain relief. Manual manipulations can temporarily relieve neck, knee, shoulder, and back pain, whereas chiropractic adjustments help treat disorders affecting the nervous or musculoskeletal system.
Another, often surprising, benefit of chiropractic adjustments is improved breathing. When your nervous system is fully functional, the performance of your lungs may improve. This is sometimes the case when joint misalignments contribute to lung abnormalities that could trigger breathing difficulties.
Your immunity may also improve. Spinal misalignment can disrupt your nervous system, which affects your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. When your spine is in optimal alignment, your immune response may improve.
The Average Timeline for Effective Chiropractic Care
How long does a chiropractic adjustment last? First, let’s consider how long most appointments last.
Depending on your personalized treatment plan, your appointments may last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. However, the average appointment duration is between 20 and 30 minutes. Your first appointment may be longer if your chiropractor orders X-rays after taking your medical history and discussing your symptoms.
The frequency of professional chiropractic care also varies by patient. The type and severity of your condition or injury play essential roles in determining how long your treatment lasts.
For chiropractic adjustments to be effective, patients usually need two to four weeks of care with about three appointments each week. When there is marked improvement, the chiropractor may recommend exercises, stretches, and other activities to complete at home to maintain progress.
They may also recommend maintenance appointments to ensure long-term results and healthy bodily functions. That means patients may still visit their chiropractor, but at a reduced capacity.
What Determines the Duration of Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits?
The factors affecting spinal alignment longevity include:
- Current spinal alignment: Even if you no longer experience pain after a chiropractic adjustment, it doesn’t mean the spine isn’t still misaligned. Everything from your posture to your sleeping habits can shift your spine out of alignment.
- Injury age: Old injuries can flare up at any time, but your body can eventually learn to overcompensate for them. It’s common for joints to shift back into misalignment naturally after an adjustment.
- Muscle strength: When your muscles get used to being out of place, they can also pull your spine out of alignment gradually.
Tips on Making the Most of Your Chiropractic Treatment
To maintain progress after spinal manipulation, stay hydrated to support muscle recovery. It’s also good to keep moving, as physical activity will prevent your muscles and joints from tensing up.
Take Your First Step Toward Improved Spinal Health Today
How long does a chiropractic adjustment last? Although every case is different, the average care timeline is two to four weeks or longer with multiple weekly visits.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of quality chiropractic care in Chesterfield, MO, turn to our team at The Ozzie Smith Center for Regenerative Medicine. Our trained professionals offer comprehensive services and can help with everything from posture improvement to pain relief.
To schedule an appointment, call The Ozzie Smith Center for Regenerative Medicine today at (314) 200-4955.
