Phase 1: Relief Care:
Thumbs up to relief! Many people go to a chiropractor because they are in pain. In this first phase of care, the main goal is to reduce your symptoms. Sometimes this will require daily visits, or two to three visits per week for a time.
Most people are under the assumption that if they don't feel any pain that there is nothing wrong with them - that they are healthy. Unfortunately, pain is a very poor indicator of health. In fact, pain and other symptoms frequently only appear after a disease or other condition has reached an advance stage.
For example, consider a cavity in your tooth. Does it hurt when it first develops or only after it has become serious? How about heart disease? Regardless of whether you are talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stress or problems with the spine- pain is usually the last thing to appear.
But it also works the opposite. When you begin chiropractic care, pain is also the first symptom to disappear, even though much of the underlying condition remains. So while our first phase is to get you out of pain and feeling some relief, it's important to remember that your care doesn't stop there. We want to keep you out of pain too!
Phase 2: Corrective Care
Teaming up for optimal health. Most chiropractors regard the elimination of symptoms as the easiest part of a persons care. If all that the chiropractor does is reduce the pain and stop there, the chances of the condition reoccurring are much greater.
In order to prevent a rapid recurrence of symptoms, it is necessary to continue receiving care even though your symptoms are gone.
During the corrective/restorative phase of your care, you will continue to receive adjustments and care at the practice, but you will not have to receive adjustments as often as you did during the first relief phase of care. And, depending on your particular circumstances, you may begin doing exercises and stretches either at the practice or at home to help accelerate your healing.
Do not be discouraged if you have mild flare-ups in your symptoms on occasion. This is normal. Flare-ups are bound to occur during this phase because your body has not fully healed. Depending on the severity of your injury or condition and how long you have been suffering from it, this phase of your care may last a few months or longer based on individual conditions.
Phase 3: Wellness Care
Maintenance is key to healthy living. Once your body has fully healed, routine chiropractic care can help ensure that your physical problems do not return, and keep your body in optimal condition.
Just like continuing an exercise program and eating well in order to sustain the benefits of exercise and proper diet, it is necessary to continue chiropractic care to ensure the health of your musculoskeletal system.
When you make routine chiropractic care a part of your lifestyle, you avoid many of the aches and pains that so many people suffer through, your joints will last longer and you will be able to engage in more of the activities you love.