Question
I have been seeing a chiropractor because my neck was hurting and I couldnt move it.  I think I coughed I have a cold) and a couple hours later I couldnt move my neck without it hurting.  I have seen my chiropractor for 5 visits, every other day.  The first and second time seem to help but there doesn't seem any difference since then.  He says that I need to go a least 6 more times.  How many times is needed and why so many?  I did not receive x-rays. How many times do you think I still need to go.  Connie Chalich  

Answer
Dear Connie,

Thank you for your question and I hope that I can provide some help for you.  Your chiropractor is not out of order in stating that it may take 6 more visits.  Sometimes these problems can take 8-12 to resolve.  However, if you are continuing to experience problems without additional improvement, then it is possible that additional therapy or other treatment changes may need to be made.  

Make sure that you let him know that you are not improving and should something be added to your treatment or altered.  Ask what you should do at home.  If you would feel better about having some xrays taken, ask to have them taken.  This will provide a bigger picture for your DC.  

It is definitely not unusual to have difficulty and delayed improvement in this such a case.  Also if you are having pain down the arm, let him know.  This can be a more serious problem that requires more treatment.

Relax and do all you can to improve.  It sounds like you are going in the right direction.  If you have any more questions, contact me again through allexperts.com.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss