Stages of Care
It is almost impossible to give a “cookbook” treatment plan for the multitude of injuries that come into our office, but below are the three basic stages of care that one can expect in our recovery program (varies with severity and diagnosis).
Stage 1: Relief Care
If you are in pain when you come into our office, the first objective is to help you feel better. We want to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. Depending on the severity of your problem, it is typical to need care 2-3 times per week for 4-8 weeks (depending on severity). This stage will consist of passive care. Passive care means the patient will do nothing on their own (exercises, stretches, home care) and the doctor will do everything (adjustment, spinal decompression, ice/heat) until pain begins to alleviate.
Stage 2: Strengthen and Stabilize Care
During this stage, muscles and other tissues are allowed to heal more completely and become strengthened, thereby helping prevent re-injury or future injury. It is typical to need care 2-3 times per week for 4-12 weeks, depending on your overall health and the severity of your problem.
Phase 3: Wellness Care
Once your body has fully healed, it is important to come in for periodic adjustments to avoid problems in the future. Usually, this only requires a quick visit to the chiropractor 1-4 times per month, based on your lifestyle and goals.