While chiropractic care offers several long-term benefits, how long does a chiropractic adjustment take to work?
Patients will seek chiropractic care for various reasons. Joints can move out of alignment as a result of injuries, poor posture, or strenuous or repetitive motions.
Chiropractic adjustments can aid in pain management, whether you are experiencing pain in your hip, lower back, neck, or knees. They allow your body to heal naturally, helping you establish better posture, enhanced movement, and a less restricted lifestyle.
As popular as this treatment has become, many patients still have questions, ranging from what happens during adjustments to how long before chiropractic treatment works.
In this article, we will answer some of these common questions, sharing all you need to know about chiropractic care and how long it will take for your chiropractic treatment to work.
What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
Chiropractic adjustments are a type of treatment intended to realign your spine into its optimal position. Some might refer to it as chiropractic manipulations or spinal adjustments.
The treatment reduces subluxation by bringing joint bones back to their natural fit. By aligning your spine, the adjustments can lower the stress on your neck, back, and entire body. As a result, patients can attain lasting relief from pain and several other symptoms.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Adjustment
A visit to a chiropractor usually begins with an assessment of your health history. The chiropractor will then conduct a physical exam, paying close attention to your posture, muscle imbalances, and joint movements.
These tests enable your chiropractor to determine your condition’s cause and severity. It also allows them to pinpoint which area in your spine requires adjusting and develop an effective action plan.
Since every patient’s case is unique, your chiropractor will customize your treatment according to your body and needs.
Related: How Much Does A Chiropractor Cost Without Insurance?
What Will the Chiropractor Do During the Adjustment?
Your chiropractor will use different methods to align your spine and adjust your joints. They have the training, qualifications, and experience to apply these techniques and provide safe, individualized chiropractic care.
Whether the chiropractor realigns your joints using a drop table or their hands, the goal of the procedure is to restore your body’s optimal alignment to facilitate natural healing.
In most cases, they will use manual manipulation, varying the level of pressure and speed of application according to the patient’s condition. This method involves gentle stretches as well as low-amplitude, controlled pushes to your joints.
The chiropractor could also use strong directional thrusts directly into your joint.
After each adjustment, you will likely hear a cracking or popping sound, but this should not alarm you. The sounds are a result of the release of gas in the joints around the affected area. This release of gas will, in turn, encourage your spine to move correctly, enabling you to experience less pain and better physical function.
How Long Does a Chiropractic Session Last?
For the most part, chiropractic adjustments and the time a chiropractor takes to realign your spine through manual manipulations tend to be short. Most appointments typically run between 15 and 45 minutes.
However, your first appointment will last longer because of the initial consultation. Your chiropractor wants to learn as much as possible about your lifestyle and pain points before establishing a chiropractic care routine for you. You can expect to be there for at least 45 minutes since this will give your chiropractor enough time to fully understand your condition and the cause and to discuss beneficial treatments.
How Long Does A Chiropractic Adjustment Take to Work?
So, how long does a chiropractic adjustment take to work? A lot of patients report experiencing relief almost immediately after their session.
However, at the end of the day, how long it takes for your chiropractic treatment to work will depend on your condition’s severity and the treatment plan your chiropractor establishes.
Some patients might experience slight discomfort either during or after their adjustment. However, most who experience this do not describe the feeling as painful.
The good news is that with consistent visits to the chiropractor, your body will gradually find it easier to hold the joints in their proper position. Eventually, you will be able to live without weakness, pain, or limited movement.
How Long Will the Adjustment Last?
How long your chiropractic adjustment lasts depends on several factors. For instance, how misaligned your spine initially is and the cause for misalignment are some factors that will determine the number of adjustments you’ll need and how often you’ll need them.
However, in most cases, patients can expect up to 12 weekly sessions in addition to a personalized treatment plan that will include simple exercises they can do themselves. These exercises will help them increase the efficacy of their adjustments.
Depending on their personalized treatment plan and how they respond to the adjustments, some might need additional sessions.
What Makes Chiropractic Adjustments So Effective?
Your body interprets limited joint movement as joint pain. By releasing the air in your joints and relieving nerve pressure, chiropractic adjustments are able to resolve your restricted joint movement.
As a result, patients can enjoy reduced pain and improved physical function.
Chiropractic care also helps patients reduce pain by stimulating their bodies’ nervous systems to limit pain signals from their joints.
Many patients can benefit from chiropractic adjustments, regardless of the underlying cause of tension in their bodies. Thanks to the tension relief they can attain, they can release nerve pressure, correct misalignments, and promote unrestricted movement.
Highly Experienced Chiropractors in Citrus Heights, CA
Are you looking for a qualified, highly experienced chiropractor in Citrus Heights, CA? Reach out to Dr. Doug Loehrer of Sunrise Chiropractic today.
Whether you are an athlete, weekend warrior, or simply want to treat your joint pain, Sunrise Chiropractic is your trusted chiropractic office.
While the results of a chiropractic adjustment will vary from patient to patient, chiropractic care is a reliable treatment option for those in need of ideal pain management solutions.
During your first visit, Dr. Loehrer will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition. He will then create a personalized treatment to help you achieve your recovery goals. Backed by over 20 years of experience, Dr. Loehrer will utilize a wide range of methods to physically adjust your joints, promoting unrestricted movements and lasting joint pain relief.
How long does a chiropractic adjustment take to work? Get in touch with Dr. Doug Loehrer (916) 726-6400 at Sunrise Chiropractic to learn all about chiropractic care in Citrus Heights, CA, and get answers to all your treatment questions.
