How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?

Published
Flourish Chiropractic Spa

Chiropractic care can be an effective, drug-free option to help you manage chronic pain, treat acute pain caused by a sudden injury, and restore flexibility and mobility throughout your body. Seeing the chiropractor is often a long-term arrangement, but how often should you see a chiropractor? And is it possible to see the chiropractor too much?

Why You May Want to Work With a Chiropractor

Chiropractors can help you address a wide range of medical concerns, often without invasive procedures or drugs. People may get a chiropractic adjustment for:

You can receive chiropractic treatment alone or as a complementary approach to your care, like going to physical therapy or seeing a nutritionist to adjust your diet.

How Often Should You Go to the Chiropractor?

Your current health concerns and long-term goals determine how frequently you visit the chiropractor. 

First, consider how long your chiropractic treatment plan will last. For example, if you’re treating acute pain, like tennis elbow caused by a sports injury, you may only need to go to the chiropractor for a few weeks or months. Once your injury is healed, you may no longer need care, but you may want to continue with your chiropractic adjustments to prevent reinjury or a new one.

Chronic concerns — like back or neck pain that isn’t from a recent injury or having scoliosis — may require long-term care for pain relief and to maintain the improvements you’ve achieved with your chiropractic adjustments. In this case, you may see the chiropractor for months or even years.

In either case, how often you go to the chiropractor is set by your treatment plan. After the initial consultation, your practitioner will recommend a schedule for your chiropractic adjustment. You may need to go to the chiropractor once a week, a few times a week, or a few times a month.

Typically, you’ll go to the chiropractor more frequently at the beginning of your treatment plan. As you receive a chiropractic adjustment, your body becomes more used to the spinal manipulation or other adjustments and can better maintain it. As this happens, you’ll be able to extend the time between visits and may eventually only need to visit a chiropractor a few times a year.

Why Am I Scheduled for So Many Chiropractic Appointments?

Much like you might take a daily medication to control your cholesterol levels or diabetes, chiropractic care requires regular maintenance adjustments and follow-up visits. This ensures you get the maximum benefit from your treatment plan.

how often see chiro 19201421080

When Should I See the Chiropractor?

You should see the chiropractor as often as indicated on the treatment plan. So, if you need adjustments several times a week, you may have chiropractic appointments three, four, or even five times a week.

It’s also important to see the chiropractor when you have new concerns or a chronic pain flare-up. For example, if you have arthritis, chiropractic care may relieve pain in your joints. However, you may not need to see the doctor if you’re not in pain and your arthritis isn’t causing any problems. If your arthritis flares up, you may need to see the doctor one time for pain relief or schedule multiple follow-up visits to ensure your pain subsides.

Can You Go to the Chiropractor Too Much?

Technically, you can’t go to the chiropractor too often or too much, and some people may need chiropractic care several times a week. As an example, current guidelines state that people with acute and chronic lower back pain should receive chiropractic care two to three times a week for at least two to four weeks. At the end of the two- to four-week treatment period, you and your chiropractor should evaluate your progress and determine what additional care you may need.

These guidelines also state that people with chronic pain in their lower back should only seek chiropractic care once a month but may need to go to the chiropractor long-term to help manage their chronic pain symptoms.

You should work with your chiropractor to determine the optimal treatment plan and schedule to address your concerns. However, a good rule of thumb is that you should rest for approximately 24 hours between adjustments. That includes not receiving another adjustment or exercising to let your body recover, but your practitioner will provide you with guidance.

While it’s normal to experience some pain or discomfort after chiropractic care, if you’re still uncomfortable after 24 hours or the pain worsens, you may be going to the chiropractor too often. Discuss the pain with your doctor to decide if it’s time to visit the chiropractor less frequently.

Find Relief

Regular chiropractic adjustments can improve your health and relieve the discomfort or pain caused by injuries, aging, or long-term conditions. While your treatment plan is specific to you, you’ll get the most benefit by following your chiropractor’s recommendations and seeing them for adjustments as scheduled.

No matter what kind of relief you’re looking for or why, the skilled team at Flourish Chiropractic Spa can help. Our chiropractors and massage therapists will work with you to design a holistic care and treatment plan specific to your needs and help you accomplish your goals. Schedule an appointment today.

Ready to Flourish?

Experience the unique blend of chiropractic care, massage, and yoga-inspired exercises at Flourish Chiropractic Spa.

Schedule An Appointment

Flourish Chiropractic Spa

Flourish Chiropractic Spa, established in Seattle's Capitol Hill in 2009, offers a unique blend of chiropractic care, massage, and yoga-inspired exercises. Our mission is to guide clients on a journey of healing and self-discovery, focusing on both body and mind. With compassionate care and a holistic approach, we help our community achieve wellness, making self-care accessible and transformative. At Flourish, we're dedicated to helping you heal, grow, and thrive.

Accepting New Clients (updated February 17)

Book a Visit