When working with a new patient occasionally the question is asked, in the initial phases of a care plan, why the frequency and duration of appointments is important.  In all fairness, the concept that we, as patients, are more exposed to is a healthcare model that focuses on a quick fix with medications that dull or mask symptoms.  Unfortunately, the allopathic system can result in short lived relief of symptoms but it does not necessarily address the origin of the original issue.  Symptoms of a particular health issue are present to indicate dysfunction within the body.  Symptoms are a blaring horn that something is wrong.  If the symptom is suppressed by medication, and the causes of the symptoms are never addressed, the issue may continue to persist after the medication's numbing effects wear off.  Traditionally, the allopathic system is the one we are most exposed  to on TV, in magazines, and billboards.  Therefore, it's not surprising that patients would expect that same quick fix from a chiropractic adjustment.  It is not uncommon to find a new chiropractic patient surprised by the fact that just a few adjustments may not resolve their health issue.  Sometimes these patients may reluctantly agree to the care plan, suspicious of the frequency, or they may attempt to bargain the frequency down. 
 
In the beginning phases of care there are several outcomes that can occur as we start to address the deeper functional issues that caused the patients original problem. Occasionally, some patients who do not understand the long term vision of their care may have the following responses;
 
a) some patients will get pain relief from just one or two adjustments, and cancel the remainder of their care plan, only to be disappointed days or weeks later when those symptoms return.
 
b) Some patients will not notice much of a difference on the first couple of visits and will cease care fearing that their problems are not going to improve.
 
c) Some patients will notice a slight increase in pain symptoms and become frustrated. They blame chiropractic claiming that it does not work, instead of realizing that the breaking down of adhesions, the reestablishing of range of motion deficits and the reprogramming of interrupted neurology can be painful in the initial stages.
 
All three of the above outcomes can be perfectly normal results after the first few adjustments and do not reflect how quickly or to what extent you will heal.
 
Chiropractic does work.  Many of you can attest to your successes while under care.  The research and results are excellent.  If a patient does not get the results they are seeking we find that often noncompliance is the core of the issue. It may be failure to commit time to the care plan, frequency and diligence with adjunctive exercise and stretching assignments, or lack of confidence in the effectiveness of your treatment.  Chiropractors set deliberate and specific care plans based on clinical expertise and personal history of the issues a patient presents with.   Chiropractors know that one or two adjustments are not powerful enough to overcome the years of wear and tear we have subjected our bodies to.  Would you expect to lose weight from just one or two days at the gym?  The frequency of care and compliance to your chiropractor's recommendations will determine your success. 
 
There is a reason that you will be seen more frequently in the beginning stages of your care.  Adjustments build one on top of the other.  Each time that you are adjusted, your body is fighting to return to its old structural position.  It is not until muscle patterns shift and the spine begins to more effectively and hold its position that the changes and healing actually begin to occur.  You might think, "All of my symptoms have cleared up.  I feel so much better!" and cancel the rest of your appointments, vowing that you will call when you need to.  While pain relief is one goal achieved,  studies are very clear that you are not yet out of the woods and should not discontinue care.  The truth is, pain is often the last symptom to appear after dysfunction has been running rampant throughout your body for some time.  It is not until that one exacerbating incident occurs that pain is allowed to surface with a vengeance.  This is usually when most patients seek treatment.  With treatment, pain starts to diminish and may disappear altogether fairly quickly but the body's harmful patterns are still there.  With persistence and time, old patterns can be changed and healing can occur.  
 
An effective chiropractic care plan will be set with a frequency that is more consistent at first and relative to the patient's individual needs.  Adjustments should occur with only a few days in between at first.  Exacerbating factors such as poor work ergonomics, harmful sleeping position, poor diet, and lifestyle stressors, all of which cumulatively cause dysfunction and ultimately lead to pain syndromes, should be examined.  These lifestyle factors should be altered or eliminated altogether.  Stretch and exercise instructions will be assigned and taught.  The purpose of home care exercise programs are to decrease muscle tension, improve muscle balance, and strengthen and stabilize the spine.  Compliance to the frequency of care and adjunctive stretch and exercise instruction is a must.  Both the adjustment and the follow up exercises work together.   As an example imagine you join a gym.  The first month you are motivated and you get to the gym 4 out of 7 days all 4 weeks.  You are religious and do a thorough warm up and cool down during each workout.  You alter your poor dietary habits and drink plenty of water.  At the end of the month your clothes are fitting better, your body has firmed up, your energy level has skyrocketed, and you have lost 10 pounds!  The next month gets busy.  Your schedule is packed full of commitments and you only make it to the gym an average of 2 times per week.  Your diet starts to suffer.  You pull a hamstring because you are not properly warmed up.  At the end of the month, you have gained 5 of the 10 pounds back and you are frustrated.  It's not difficult to figure out what went wrong.    
 
There is no magic bullet for long term health results.  You could take that pain killer and suppress your symptoms only to reinjure yourself, maybe permanently, and be frustrated as to why those symptoms return after discontinuing the medication.  The potential side effects you may experience may also be a complicating factor in taking medication.  Effectiveness of your chiropractic care is dependant on initial frequency. Your compliance to your care plan and commitment to healing are essential for results.  Your doctor's do not blindly recommend a care plan frequency.  Lots of time is spent reviewing the case and determining what frequency will get the patient results.  Your chiropractors have a vested interest in the success of your treatment. We know the importance of sticking to a care plan and being faithful to your stretch and exercise recommendations.  Your compliance and diligence will be well worth it when you start to see results that are here to stay for the long run.