- June 26, 2023
It is typically safe to stop chiropractic treatment when your condition has been treated or your chiropractor says it is safe to stop treatment. Your treatment might also stop if your doctor recommends a maintenance program rather than regular treatment. Like any course of medical care, you should continue receiving all the treatment prescribed to you until your doctor releases you from care.
You should never stop receiving chiropractic care on your own. Instead, speak to your healthcare team. They will explain when it is safe to stop chiropractic treatment and provide you with any aftercare instructions. Caring for your body properly after treatment ends can help keep you feeling healthy and your body moving and functioning well.
When to Stop Chiropractic Treatment After an Injury
After sustaining an injury, chiropractic care can help your body relieve itself of toxins and gases and promote healthy, functional healing from the inside out. Chiropractic care involves:
- Initial assessment
- Regular monitoring
- Ongoing reassessment
Chiropractic treatment should be discontinued when your injury has been restored or your treatment goals have been met, per your chiropractor’s evaluation. Treatment should also end if:
- You are not experiencing any benefits at all
- You do not feel even a gradual improvement
- Your pain levels increase versus decrease
If either of these scenarios occurs, consult your physician right away. They could have alternative treatments that may aid in your recovery. Your doctor may also reassess your condition to look for underlying issues that had not been previously known.
What You Need to Know About the Four Phases of Rehabilitation After Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care involves rehabilitation, physical restoration, and physiotherapy. It can also involve multiple phases of treatment and rehab, including:
- Acute phase
- Rehab phase
- Strengthening phase
- Maximum medical improvement (MMI) phase
Each phase of rehabilitation is successive and starts upon completion of the preceding phase. Treatment can decrease the pain and pressure of migraines and neck-related headaches. It can improve posture and range of motion and treat minor injuries like whiplash that might result from a car accident or other high-speed or blunt trauma. Patients who suffer from osteoarthritis and similar bone and joint ailments can also benefit from chiropractic care.
The Acute Phase of Chiropractic Care
Typically, the acute phase of care is initial injury relief or the initial recognition of the need for treatment. It includes injury analysis, assessment, and initial adjustments. It also includes therapeutic stretches, to lessen the pain and tightness caused by your injury or ailment. Your chiropractor may also recommend massage therapy to ease soreness and achiness and soothe muscles.
The Rehab Phase of Chiropractic Care
Once you have progressed past the acute phase of care, your doctor will initiate the rehab phase. At this point, your treatment will focus on increasing your agility and range of motion. Rehab includes:
- Continued adjustments to decrease nerve irritation
- Light exercise to start a strengthening regimen
- Aerobic exercise to stabilize and steady your spine
Rehab will decrease pain levels and you will start to feel more comfortable. Depending on your reassessment at the beginning of the rehab phase, your doctor may incorporate massage therapy to increase muscle recovery and speed healing.
The Strengthening Phase of Chiropractic Care
After the rehab phase, your doctor will move you into the strengthening phase. Here you will start to feel more like your old self—you might even start to feel better. Your treatment plan will include targeted exercises and final corrective adjustments. The adjustments you receive at this phase enhance joint function and reduce irritated nerves.
The Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Phase of Chiropractic Care
Maximum medical improvement is reached when you have received all the advantages chiropractic care has to offer. At this phase, you should be free from pain and your body should be functioning at maximum capacity. Your doctor may prescribe periodic reassessment and treatment based on your unique physical needs.
Chiropractic Medicine Can Treat Specific Injuries
Our chiropractic physicians help injury victims recover from injuries sustained in car accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, and more. Chiropractic treatment can include treatment for:
- Back injuries
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Herniated disc
- Muscle strain
- Neck injuries
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
These injuries can occur as a result of an accident, repetitive motion, or genetic issues. Your chiropractor may conduct a thorough physical exam, request imaging exams, and order lab tests. The results of these tests and exams help your physician recommend a custom chiropractic treatment protocol.
Chiropractic Care Has Risks for Certain Patients
Chiropractic medicine focuses on the proper alignment of your spine and musculoskeletal system since proper alignment fosters optimal function and performance. Manipulation and adjustments are generally safe. Complications are rare but can include:
- Disc herniation
- Compressed nerves
- Potential stroke
According to Mayo Clinic research, patients who should not receive chiropractic treatments include those with severe cases of osteoporosis or certain bone abnormalities. Those with a heightened risk of stroke, cancer affecting the spine, or numbness or tingling in their limbs should also consider other treatment options.
You Can Go to the Chiropractor Too Much
Your chiropractic healthcare provider should decide on the pace and frequency of your treatment. The body requires time and specialized care to recover from each treatment session and start experiencing optimal benefits. Too-frequent treatment can result in the following:
- Insufficient healing between sessions
- Uneased pain after each treatment session
- Difficulty relieving pain after treatment
Stopping treatment at the right time is an important part of your overall health. Your chiropractor’s assessment and reassessment and your body’s tolerance are the best indicators of when to discontinue chiropractic care. Listen to both and work with your chiropractor to determine your frequency of treatment.
What You Can Do After You Stop Chiropractic Treatment to Continue Improving Your Condition
Even after you stop seeking chiropractic treatment, it’s important to continue taking care of your body and making your health a priority. Some chronic conditions may flare up again without the proper care after chiropractic treatment. After you stop visiting a chiropractor, you should consider doing the following:
Maintain a Consistent Light Exercise Routine
You should still keep your body active even after you stop seeing a chiropractor regularly. While you shouldn’t overexert yourself, light exercise can strengthen your muscles, improve circulation throughout your body, and help with flexibility and injury prevention. Some of the types of exercises you may try include:
- Walking
- Yoga
- Stretching
- Light weight training
- Bicycle riding
- Table tennis or other leisurely sports
Be sure to check with your doctor before committing to a workout routine. They can recommend exercises that suit your needs and abilities.
Follow the Recommended Aftercare Plan
Once your chiropractor has determined that you have improved enough to stop treatment, they’ll likely recommend an aftercare plan to ensure you’re still recovering well. Many chiropractors will instruct their patients to:
- Lightly stretch
- Avoid activities that have the potential to cause re-injury
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Remain active
- Stay hydrated
It’s crucial to continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle to ensure you still feel the benefits of consistent chiropractic treatment.
Make Sure You’re Getting the Proper Nutrients
Eating healthy and getting all the nutrients you need can help your body stay healthy after you stop chiropractic visits. You can work with your primary care physician or a nutritionist to come up with a plan to ensure you maintain a diet balanced with vital proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs. Eating well is also beneficial to other parts of your long-term aftercare plan such as exercise.
Check-in With Your Doctor as Often as Needed
Many patients want support from a trusted medical professional even after stopping chiropractic treatments. Your doctor can perform a physical examination to ensure your body is responding well to reduced chiropractic care. They can also recommend other activities you can perform at home to maintain optimal health.
Should You Stop Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment at the Same Time?
Many patients seek chiropractic care and physical therapy at the same time. Whether you should stop both treatments simultaneously depends on your condition and your doctor’s judgment. If you’ve fully benefited from chiropractic care but need continued treatment with a physiotherapist, your doctor may recommend:
- Massage therapy
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Stretching and strength training
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM)
- Corrective care
Call Us Today for Your Initial Appointment With Our Chiropractors
If you are considering the integrative, functional, support of chiropractic medicine, our team of healthcare providers can explain its many benefits. We will also explain the potential length of your healthcare regimen and when it is safe to stop chiropractic treatment. Learn more by contacting our patient intake team at Specific Care Chiropractic to get started today. You can reach us by calling our phone number.
