It is
important to understand the stages of chiropractic care because they
are unique relative to those of other health-care disciplines.
Because chiropractic addresses core physiological and biomechanical
aspects of the body, the process to correct problems without drugs
or surgery can take some time. Some conditions can be treated in a
few visits, while others may take longer.
The following is a brief summary of the three major phases of
chiropractic care.
The majority of patients consult a chiropractor because they have
an ache or pain. In the first phase of care, the main objective is
to eliminate or reduce your discomfort and stabilize your condition
in the shortest amount of time. During this phase, progress is
usually rapid. The number of times you visit a chiropractor during
this phase of care varies and is dependent upon your specific
condition.
Once your condition has stabilized, you enter the second phase of
care, where the objective is to correct any underlying injury or
cause of discomfort, strengthen the muscles, and improve
neuromusculoskeletal function. The frequency of office visits is
reduced over a period of two to six weeks.
It is important to remember that many of the conditions for which
people seek care have developed over many years; therefore,
correcting these problems is a true rehabilitative process. It helps
to understand that it takes time to correct these conditions.
Once your discomfort has subsided, you may think all is well and
choose to abandon your efforts. However, if you end your care before
fully healing of the muscles and soft tissues, you can invite a
relapse. This is a mistake many people make, and it sets them up for
recurring health issues.
You then "graduate" to the wellness phase, which is designed to
maintain your improved health, encourage normal spinal function,
prevent the return of the original condition, and catch small
problems before they become serious. A personal wellness care
program will be designed specifically for you.
A good way to look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry.
We all know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with
regular maintenance and check-ups, the plaque doesn't have a chance.
Similarly, it often takes a long time to develop a spinal problems.
But with a regular schedule of chiropractic check-ups, the spine
will not have a chance to malfunction.
You can then congratulate yourself on achieving your ultimate
goal: optimal health!
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