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How to use Chiropractic

                Have you ever heard that once you go to a chiropractor, you have to go for life?  This is a very common misconception held by the public.  While, it is true that everyone is better under chiropractic care, what that means for each individual varies.  My grandfather passed away this last summer at 95 years old.  He was a tough old farmer, carpenter and entrepreneur who never utilized chiropractic once in his 95 years.  To add to that, he was very strong and physically capable his entire life.  I cannot look you in the eyes and tell you I think his life would have been better or longer had he been under chiropractic care.  On the other hand, that statement is absolutely true for other people.  There are people who would not have been able to enjoy as healthy a life, nor live as long without chiropractic.  So how does one navigate how to use chiropractic?  There are basically three options, and neither is more right than the other two options, generally speaking.

                The first option is acute care.  This is what most people see chiropractic as being for.  Tweak your back, and come get adjusted.  Feel better and not come back, at least until you tweak your back again.  Those who want to use chiropractic in this way, are not misusing chiropractic.  Before chiropractic school, this is how I used chiropractic.  I had a musculoskeletal complaint, got adjusted once or twice, felt better and didn’t come back.  That was the wrong choice for me personally, but that’s a topic for another time. 

                Maintenance or Long-term care is another option.  Frankly, it’s the least appreciated option for most people.  This options is for those who have a chronic condition that is only held at bay if they keep getting care at a certain frequency; sometimes that’s twice a month, sometimes that 3 times a year.  It’s different for everyone, but this way of utilizing chiropractic serves to benefit more people than just those with chronic arthritis.  It also acts as a very effective way to prevent injury for healthy, active people.  My own personal belief, is this is the option most people should use.  Whether that’s three times a year, or more frequently; it is far easier and cheaper to prevent issues from arising or returning than it is to treat an injury on an acute basis once it happens. 

                The third use for chiropractic is wellness.  This is for people who want to attain their best health possible.  They are going to the chiropractor frequently as a part of a routine that allows them to achieve maximal health.  This can be done in spurts if training for a marathon, or to stay healthy during times of increased illness.  It can also be done in a long-term manner to just keep their baseline higher than those around them.  Both maintenance and wellness care would get pretty expensive if you had to pay full-price.  That’s why I offer packages that help with those costs for practice members who want to take advantage of chiropractic’s full potential in the whole health picture.

                People use fitness centers the same way.  Some want to lose 10 pounds before vacation.  Some found out they have a health problem that going regularly but not striving for growth, but just to keep from getting more unhealthy.  While others are there to build muscle and attain their best potential for health.  Just as people use the gym for various durations and reasons, it is more than acceptable to use chiropractic similarly.  Short-term, long-term or wellness; it’s your health, you can decide how to keep it.