How Often Should You Visit a Chiropractor?
One of the most common questions new patients ask is: “How often do I need to come?” Naturally, many people hope the answer is “just once”—but chiropractic care, like most things that support long-term health, typically requires consistency and time.
Think of it like going to the gym. One workout won’t build strength or improve your fitness overnight—and one chiropractic adjustment is unlikely to reverse years of physical stress or spinal dysfunction. Most spinal issues don’t develop overnight. They tend to build up slowly over time from poor posture, repetitive movements, stress, and everyday wear and tear. Often, the pain or symptoms that finally bring someone into the office are just the “last straw”—not the root cause.
Chiropractic adjustments help restore healthy movement in the spine and improve communication between your brain and body. But to retrain your nervous system and stabilize spinal function, it takes regular, consistent care.
So, How Often is Best?
The answer depends on your specific condition, goals, and how long the issue has been present. Your chiropractor will design a personalized care plan based on clinical findings and their professional experience. That said, research does give us some helpful guidance—especially in the early stages of care.
What Does the Research Say?
A U.S. study published in The Spine Journal looked at 256 people suffering from chronic headaches.⁴ Participants were divided into groups receiving chiropractic adjustments once, twice, or three times a week over six weeks. A control group received only light massage.
The results? The patients who were adjusted most frequently—three times per week—had significantly fewer headaches, and the benefits lasted up to a year after care ended. On average, they experienced over three fewer headaches per month compared to those who only received massage.
Another study on chronic low back pain patients found similar trends: those receiving more frequent care saw the best outcomes, though the results were not as pronounced.⁵
These findings suggest that more frequent adjustments early on can create longer-lasting improvements in nervous system function, pain reduction, and quality of life.
Consistency Counts
Ultimately, your chiropractor’s recommendations are grounded in experience and supported by clinical evidence. Just like training muscles or building healthy habits, healing your spine and nervous system is a process—not a one-time fix.
Investing in consistent chiropractic care now may help you enjoy better function, fewer symptoms, and greater resilience long term.
References
Hodges & Moseley. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003;13(4):361–70.
MacDonald et al. Pain. 2009;142(3):183–8.
Ferreira et al. Manual Therapy. 2007;12(3):240–48.
Haas M, et al. Spine J. 2018;18(10):1741–54.
Haas M, et al. Spine J. 2014;14(7):1106–16.
