“Once you start going to the chiropractor, you have to keep going.” 
You’ve all heard it, but is it true? Is long term chiropractic care necessary?
Short answer, no. It isn’t true and it isn’t necessary.
Is ongoing chiropractic treatment helpful?
Maybe. Like a Facebook relationship status, it’s complicated.
There is research that suggests that ongoing spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustment) may be beneficial in maintaining the improvement experienced after finishing the initial treatment plan. Now, this focused on people with “chronic nonspecific low back pain”, so it leaves out a large portion of people who see chiropractors for other issues like neck pain, headaches, mid back pain, etc. It is reasonably safe to assume that it would apply to other areas of the spine, but to be clear, the evidence focuses on low back pain.
Do you need to see a chiropractor for the rest of your life, to maintain your improvement?
No. At least, that’s not the goal in our office. We focus on giving you the tools and skills to help you live your life without having to rely on us. Some people decide they like the effects of their treatments and may choose to follow a preventative plan of treatment, similar to having a monthly massage.
Others may have a condition that requires ongoing treatment to prevent exacerbation, but this is not the case for the majority of people. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, you will never hear us push you into a preventative plan. In our office, the choice is yours. We lay out your options, and let you pick your path without any pressure or shaming from us.
We are interested in helping you live your life and achieve your goals in whatever way that we can.