Should I be seeing a chiropractor for frequent adjustments even if I’m no longer in pain? This is a question I am often asked by people who have started chiropractic care and are now feeling better or are asymptomatic (pain free). Several recent studies assessed the differences between regular maintenance chiropractic care patients and those who only seek care during times when symptoms or pain arises.

     According to The Nordic Maintenance Care Program: A realistic randomized controlled trial, three hundred and twenty-eight subjects ranging between 18–65 years old with non-specific lower back pain were separated into two groups (either maintenance care or symptom guided treatment) over a 52-week period. The results showed that maintenance care was more effective than symptom-guided treatment, reducing the total number of days per year with low back pain by almost 2 weeks for the average patient.

     Two other studies showed the importance of regular chiropractic care. From Spine magazine 2011,  titled Does maintained spinal manipulation therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain result in better long-term outcome? The group that received regular maintenance care had significantly lower disability scores and higher improvement scores after the same 10-month period.  In the Journal Occupational Environ Medicine 2011, Health maintenance care in work-related low back pain and its association with disability recurrence. This study looked at nearly 900 workers with low back injuries and followed them for one year. The lowest incidence of repeat injury was found among those workers who had received chiropractic maintenance care.

     Having regular chiropractic adjustments does not only reduce pain, it can also save you money! Due to the prevention of pain, reduced need for medication, and less time spent away from work, patients can live a normal, healthy lifestyle without spending as much time/money on treatment.

    The family, my staff, and I are adjusted on a regular basis (1 or more times per week) to keep us all healthy, pain free, and maximize the performance of our nervous system. This is not any different than oil changes in your car every 3,000 miles, regular dental preventative cleanings or having your HVAC tuned up before extreme hot/cold seasonal changes. Regular maintenance on these essentials can help prevent engine damage, cavities and high replacement costs, as well as many other unnecessary and preventable charges. The same principals apply to consistent chiropractic care/maintenance and your body!