Low back pain is a common issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Chiropractic care is a popular and effective treatment option for many suffering from this condition. One common question most people have is, “How long will it take?” In this blog post, we’ll explore an average initial treatment frequency and what factors influence this number.
The Average Initial Treatment Frequency
The number of chiropractic treatments needed for low back pain varies from person to person, depending on several factors such as the severity of the pain, the underlying cause, the patient’s overall health, and how well they respond to treatment. On average, most patients experience improvement within 6 to 12 visits. Some may require fewer visits, while others with more chronic or severe conditions might need a more extended treatment plan. Published clinical practice guidelines of chiropractic care for low back pain are listed below:
Research shows that more frequent treatments lead to faster reductions in pain and disability. Patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to receive 1, 2, 3 or 4 chiropractic adjustments per week for 3 weeks. Relief was substantial for patients receiving 3 to 4 adjustments per week for 3 weeks.
See this previous blog for average tissue healing time http://flynndc.com/blog/index.php/2024/06/12/average-healing-time/
Factors That May Influence the Number of Treatments Needed:
- Duration of Pain:
- Acute: Less than 6 weeks
- Subacute: 6-12 weeks
- Chronic: More than 12 weeks
- Recurrent: frequent flare-ups
- Acute low back pain, often resulting from a recent injury, typically responds faster to chiropractic care. In such cases, patients might see improvement within a few visits.
- Chronic low back pain, which persists for months or even years, may require more intensive and prolonged treatment to achieve lasting relief.
2. Underlying Causes:
- Conditions such as pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease can complicate the treatment process, potentially requiring more sessions for effective management.
- Simple muscle strains or sprains usually heal faster, needing fewer visits.
3. One’s Overall Health:
- Patients with good overall health and fitness levels often recover more quickly compared to those with poor health or additional health conditions that may slow down the healing process.
- Lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and managing stress, also play a significant role in recovery.
4. Response To Treatment
- Individual responses to chiropractic care can vary. Some patients may experience immediate relief, while others may notice gradual improvement over several sessions.
Checking Progress and Ongoing Care:
- Reevaluation: After your initial treatment, you will be reevaluated to see how much you’ve improved.
- Continued Treatment: If you still have some issues but are getting better, additional visits might be recommended. The goal is to reduce the need for frequent visits by having you be more active with at-home exercises and self-care.
- Release from treatment: If you have fully recovered or your chronic condition has stabilized you will be released from active care to return as needed or to continue with wellness care if desired.
- Wellness Care: Some patients choose ongoing care to help prevent pain from returning and to stay active.
Chiropractic care is a valuable option for managing low back pain, offering relief and improved quality of life for many patients. While the average number of treatments varies, understanding the factors influencing your treatment plan can help set realistic expectations and ensure a successful recovery. Contact Flynn Chiropractic to determine the best approach for your specific needs.
1. Clinical practice guideline: chiropractic care for low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2016;39(1):1–22
2. Dose-response for chiropractic care of chronic low back pain. Spine J. Sep-Oct 2004;4(5):574-83. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2004.02.008.