3 Reasons to See a Chiropractor Even After You’ve Been “Fixed”

I just started working with a chiropractor for the very first time at the start of this year. (Shout out to Michael Risher of The Rehab Lab). I originally started working with Risher to deal with some pain from an injury that happened back in the fall. My initial plan was to get in and get out as quickly as possible with only the minimum visits required for me to heal and feel better ASAP.

Whether that included acupuncture, cupping, or stretching exercises, I wanted my weekly visits to the chiropractor to end once my injury returned to the status quo. That is until I saw this post on Instagram.

In the post, Ben Adleburg, another chiropractor, essentially says we consistently choose to make appointments with professionals like the car mechanic, the dentist, our personal trainer, and the lawn care service company that works on our yard to ensure all of these things are properly functioning and maintained. (These things meaning our car, teeth, physical fitness, and lawn.) However, when a chiropractor suggests we come back for continued care to get the results we want, we say, “Nah, I’m good. Thanks but no thanks.”

We consciously make repetitive decisions to take care of things that can easily expire or be replaced, yet when it comes to our most valuable asset — our health — we’re not willing to make those exact same beneficial decisions that are going to be good for us in the long run.

That post really hit me hard and made me think that this chiropractor has a good point. He may be on to something here. Needless to say, this mini rant and soap box moment inspired this article. 

If you’re someone like me who thinks a few visits to the chiropractor is all you need, here’s why going to a chiropractor is not always a one-and-done deal.

person getting adjusted by chiropractor

When to see a chiropractor: why regular chiropractic care is so important

Can you imagine if you only went to the dentist once and said, “Don’t worry doc — I’ll take it from here.” Oh my gosh, cringe! The same is true about visiting the chiropractor. If you only see a chiropractor when you’re injured or in pain, you’re neglecting your own health in between treatment sessions.

“Just like tuning up your car or going to the dentist annually for your teeth, your body needs regular maintenance as well,” shares Risher. “Especially if you are active or a competitive athlete, maintaining your body is incredibly important. Sustaining healthy soft tissue and healthy joints will allow you to continue with the activities you love long-term.”

With regular chiropractic checkups — even when you’re not injured or in pain — you’ll receive the maintenance you need to continue to live an active and pain-free life.

1. Prevention is key

When to see a chiropractor usually comes down to when you’re experiencing or feeling physical pain — but chiropractic care is all about prevention, and that occurs with regular check-ups. Just because you don’t feel pain doesn’t mean things aren’t out of alignment.

To protect yourself from larger issues that may require more extensive treatment — which means more money and time — it’s essential to handle your health in a preventative manner.

If you keep asking your friends, “Should I see a chiropractor,” chances are you probably should — because the longer you wait to address an injury or issue, the longer it will take to resolve the condition.

2. Retraining muscles take time

Remember, your bones are all connected to muscles, so when a bone is out of alignment — like a spinal bone (vertebrae) — it pulls on a muscle, which is often the pain we feel.

Muscles have a memory, so if you have an injury or pain you’ve been dealing with for a while, that muscle is always going back to its original memory (or place and space) essentially pulling that bone out of place as well. That is, until a new memory is made — and that comes with retraining that particular muscle and takes time. 

This is the very reason why in the beginning, your chiropractor may ask you to come back frequently. The goal is to keep the bone in line and retrain the muscles surrounding it. Enter: patience.

Some people respond faster than others, so the frequency of visits is dependent on the individual and the condition being addressed. Your chiropractor may also give you stretches to do at home or other tips to help facilitate your treatment.

If you stretch regularly and follow their suggestions, you may be able to extend the time in between visits, ultimately saving you more money and time. Bottom line: Do your homework, folks!

3. Your body and spine will work with maximum efficiency

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I see a chiropractor,” chances are you may already be going to a chiropractor. As you may know, some visits may include an adjustment or two (in my case, three), and at other times you may be evaluated with no adjustment at all.

If nothing is wrong, then no correction is needed — but if your spine is out of alignment or subluxated, the chiropractor will find the problem, fix it, and then leave it alone so your body can get back to working at max efficiency.

That’s the beauty of regular chiropractic visits. When you maintain a schedule of regular evaluations, your body will help you lead a better life by having better coordination, greater flexibility, and more energy. It may even be better equipped to handle stress.

The bottom line: Should I see a chiropractor?

Whether you’re wondering “should I see a chiropractor” or perhaps you’re already going to one, no matter where you find yourself in the chiropractic journey, know that you should consider regular chiropractic care. Not only will you be engaging in preventative care, but you’ll be working in tandem with your body to help it operate at its finest and most efficient state.

Move Recovery & Mobility

About Ashley Martens

Ashley Martens is a Wellness Writer based in Chicago, Illinois. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about topics to help people live happier and healthier lives. With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics.