How Long Does It Take to Get Better?

How long does it take to see improvement under chiropractic care management? Mastering patience is often a challenging life lesson. Being patient with our children, partners, well-being, vehicles, fellow drivers, or practically anything can present difficulties. Even as a chiropractor, there are times when I need to assess my patients' patience!

Exercising patience, especially when it comes to regaining our health or waiting to recover after an injury or illness, can be particularly demanding. A fundamental principle is that no process unfolds without the passage of time. Due to our impatience and unwillingness to allow sufficient time for a process to progress, we often expect or even demand quick solutions, like over-the-counter pain relief.

In clinical practice, it's observed that the most prevalent issue, which naturally requires time for correction, often arises not from a severe injury but from a neglected spine that has finally reached a point of severe nerve compression, resulting in painful symptoms.

In simpler terms, most problems are gradual and progressive. They start silently and escalate. Over the years, accumulated stresses on the spine, both minor and major, take their toll. Many individuals we encounter have faced injuries from sports, work, slips/trips, falls, or car accidents. These cases are understandable. Equally common, however, is the person who arrives at the clinic in significant pain, unable to pinpoint the cause of their condition.

As a chiropractor, we frequently hear dramatic accounts like, "all I did was bend over to pick up my shoe, and I couldn't straighten up," or "I just reached out to open the fridge, and my neck became stiff, and now I can't turn my head." These are classic examples of the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back," and such occurrences are all too familiar.

In life, anything of value and quality necessitates regular maintenance.

The spine is no exception. Without proper maintenance, vulnerable areas of your spine and supporting muscles weaken, gradually losing their ability to stabilize your spine. That's why something as seemingly harmless as stooping down to pet a dog can be the "straw" that severely affects you.

What can be startling for those accustomed to quick fixes is that achieving the desired results of reduced pain, swelling, inflammation, improved spinal/joint alignment, and overall health and well-being will require not just time but also commitment to specific recommendations and patience. It's akin to joining a fitness club and expecting to resemble the trainer or a bodybuilder by year-end with only monthly visits—unrealistic!

After a comprehensive chiropractic consultation and examination, which may involve X-rays, if necessary, we chiropractors often convey to our patients that their condition doesn't have to remain static or worsen. However, they must adhere to specific recommendations and exercise patience to attain their desired outcomes. This includes eventual pain reduction, reduced swelling and inflammation, improved spinal/joint alignment, and overall health.

We clarify that if the problem took several years or even decades to silently accumulate before the crisis that brought them to the clinic, it's reasonable to anticipate a substantial duration to begin resolving it. Fortunately, recent years have seen promising research in spinal rehabilitation that we apply in our practice.

While chiropractic care can often swiftly alleviate pain, like any process, it takes time to genuinely strengthen and stabilize a region of the spine. Moreover, it necessitates ongoing maintenance. One of my older patients once shared that she didn't mind if it took five years to restore her good, healthy functioning because that sounded much better than being five years deeper in trouble by doing nothing! Well, those weren't her exact words, but you get the gist!

So, I encourage you to invest time in making this season truly special for your spine and health. Most importantly, practice patience. It's the accumulation of little efforts that makes a significant impact. I recently completed Andy Stanley's insightful book, "The Best Question Ever." It's exceptional. I won't spoil the question for you, but one thing he emphasizes is that "there is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period."

A single workout or a solitary chiropractic adjustment might not yield dramatic results, but with persistence, patience, and time, you could wind back the clock a few years and feel better than you ever imagined.

For more information, call Dr. Pisarek at (416) 633-3000

or email him with your inquiries... [email protected]      

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Monday
8:00 am - Noon 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
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Wednesday
8:00 am - Noon 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
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