Should You Wait Until Your Back Hurts Before Seeing a Chiropractor?
For many people, low back pain isn’t a one-time event. Symptoms often come and go, creating a frustrating cycle of flare-ups, temporary relief, and recurring discomfort.
A landmark Scandinavian research study published in PLOS ONE explored an important question:
Is it better to wait until pain returns before seeking help, or can regular chiropractic care help reduce future episodes?
What Did The Study Look At?
Researchers followed more than 300 adults with recurrent or persistent low back pain over the course of one year.
All participants initially responded well to chiropractic care. They were then divided into two groups:
- Wellness Care Group: Received chiropractic visits at pre-planned intervals, even when symptoms were minimal.
- Symptom-Guided Group: Returned only when pain became bothersome enough to seek help.
The researchers tracked participants weekly for an entire year to measure how many days they experienced bothersome low back pain.
What Were The Results?
The findings were significant.
Patients receiving regular Wellness Care experienced approximately 13 fewer days of bothersome low back pain per year compared to those who waited until symptoms returned before seeking help.
The researchers concluded that for people with recurring low back pain who respond well to chiropractic care, Wellness Care should be considered as an option to help reduce future episodes and improve long-term outcomes.
What Does This Mean For Patients?
Many people think healthcare should only be sought when symptoms become severe. While that approach may be appropriate in some situations, recurrent spinal problems often follow predictable patterns.
Just as regular exercise helps maintain physical fitness and regular dental visits help maintain oral health, periodic chiropractic care may help some individuals maintain better spinal function and reduce the impact of recurring back pain.
The study specifically identified a group of patients who:
- Have recurring or persistent low back pain
- Respond well to chiropractic care
- Want to reduce the frequency and severity of future flare-ups
For these individuals, a proactive approach may be more effective than waiting until symptoms become significant again.
Our Approach at East Coast Chiropractic
At East Coast Chiropractic, every care plan is individualized.
Some patients require more intensive short-term care for a specific issue. Others with recurring spinal complaints benefit from periodic check-ins designed to help maintain progress and reduce setbacks.
Our goal is not simply to help you feel better temporarily. We aim to help you move better, function better, and stay active doing the things you enjoy.
Reference
Eklund A, Jensen I, Lohela-Karlsson M, Hagberg J, Leboeuf-Yde C, Kongsted A, et al. (2018). The Nordic Maintenance Care Program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain—A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 13(9), e0203029.
