WHICH PHASE ARE YOU?
Commonly, a new patient will experience all 3 phases of chiropractic care. The first phase consists mainly of symptom relief. The second phase focuses on structural correction, and true healing of body tissues. The third phase is essentially maintenance. At this phase, you will prevent new injuries and degeneration of the spine, but also maintain the wellness you have achieved with the previous two phases.
Phase 1: Intensive Care
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The main objective here is to reduce discomfort and stabilize your condition in the shortest amount of time. During this phase, progress is usually rapid. The number of visits during this phase of care varies, and is dependent upon your specific condition. There are more frequent visits in the Intensive Care phase compared to the second and third phases of care. It's hard to say how long it will be until you see relief- it could be as short as a week or up to a few months, depending on your condition.
Phase 2: Corrective Care
Once your condition has stabilized, you will enter corrective care. The objective here is to truly correct the spinal structure and improve overall nervous system function. This phase of care is commonly compared to orthodontics, we want to focus on bringing the spine back to proper alignment. The frequency of office visits is during the Corrective Phase is reduced when compared to the Intensive Phase.
It is important to remember that most common health concerns have developed over many years; therefore, correcting these problems is a true rehabilitative process. It helps to understand that it takes time and repetition for true correction.
Phase 3: Lifetime Wellness Care
After corrective care is the wellness phase, which is designed to: maintain your improved health, prevent the return of conditions, and address small problems before they become serious. A personal wellness care program will be designed specifically for you after graduating from the previous phases of care.
Chiropractic care addresses core physiology and bio-mechanical aspects of the body, therefore, the process to truly correct health concerns without drugs or surgery can take time and repetition. A good way to look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry. We all know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with regular cleanings, the plaque doesn't buildup. Similarly, it often takes a long time to develop a spinal misalignment. With regular chiropractic maintenance, your body is stronger and will not misalign, or subluxate, as frequently.
Few things as complicated as your body can be "fixed" and then ignored. Think of your car, your teeth, etc. They take time and effort to maintain, but you know it's worth it in the long run. That's why we recommend regular chiropractic care. All of these phases will help you achieve your ultimate goal: optimal health!