Question
This is very similar to Louise's question from 11/15. I am a 22 year old female. I just started going to the Chiropractor this week. The x rays said that my neck is too far forward, which apparently causes neck and lower back pain-both of which I have experienced, and is a source of bad posture. My hips are also misaligned.

My question is about the number of times I see the chiropractor. She wants me to come 3x week for months,reevaluate, then 2-3x week for the next 3-6 months, with the goal of just doing maintenance at 1x week for 3-6 months or more. Compared to what other people are telling me about their chiropractor, this seems to be a lot. The reason for this kind of treatment, as explained is to train my body how to move and function properly. If I only go when my back hurts, they can correct me, sure, but soon after my body will forget where it is supposed to be and I'll have to go back. Her view is to do little adjustments along the way so that it doesn't go to the point of no return when I'm 75 or so.

What is a normal care plan? If I corrected the problem vigorously at 22, then stopped treatment, would I eventually get worse and worse as the years go by?

Answer
Dear Carolyn,

Your gut feeling is correct: the treatment program that chiropractor is prescribing has absolutely no substantiation at all. None!  If they cannot correct: pain levels, ranges of motion issues, tight/sore feelings, and ability to do daily activities within a month or so, then odds are they will never do it.  There is no such thing as correcting your spine posture or hip alignment.  Joint function along with how you feel should show improvement in days or weeks of treatment, not several months... and in a 22 year old? That DC should be told what to do...  I would advise you to find an evidence-based and outcomes-based chiropractor and not one that has a religious belief in aligning your bones.  When you feel good and have no problems in your daily activities and no issues performing tasks/sports because of aches, pains, stiffness, etc., then you are done!  Also, since some people never get 100% resolve, you're considered done when you are at a plateau in treatment.  Continuing treatment for additional weeks and weeks is fruitless and, in my opinion, unethical.  If you feel 100% after 2 visits, then, with some exceptions, there is no reason why you cannot discontinue care and return if your problem returns.   Sorry for being so frank about this, but it's a real problem in chiropractic (and PT, too).   

'Good luck with this.

Dr. G