CHIROPRACTOR CARE: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Chiropractic treatment has long been a preferred form of care for those with musculoskeletal-related issues. In fact, roughly 35 million Americans see a chiropractor every year, and there are approximately 70,000 chiropractors who treat them.

How much a chiropractor costs depends on the area and the type of practice – but the benefits can be enormous for your wellbeing. Chiropractic care is a form of medical treatment that helps manage musculoskeletal pain you may feel doing the basic activities you perform every day. A chiropractor can help diagnose and treat the underlying problems, as well as advise on preventative care to stop the issue from recurring again in the future. 

If you’re new to chiropractic care, this guide will help explain what you need to know about visiting a chiropractor and how affordable chiropractic care really is. Let’s dive in. 

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Chiropractic medicine is a holistic form of medical care.  The main goal, just like in any other medical profession, is to identify and treat the offending condition. The biggest difference is that chiropractors use joint manipulation and soft tissue mobilization instead of surgeries and prescription medications.  

Pain level reduction, although subjective to each individual, is a common goal of treatment for many patients.  In a research study, 92% of patients reported reduced pain after chiropractic treatments.  Even better, 80% of patients reported increased mobility after seeing their chiropractor.

The history of chiropractic dates back to 1895 when D.D Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a janitor named Harvey Lillard. Lillard claimed he had lost his hearing after bending over and feeling a ‘pop’ in his back. After Palmer performed that first procedure, Lillard’s hearing was said to have returned.  The chiropractic profession has continued to learn and evolve over the last 120 years to now being the go-to first-line conservative treatment option for a vast array of joint, muscle, and ligament conditions.  Chiropractors are increasingly working alongside medical researchers to further expand upon chiropractic methods and assess their practicality in medical treatment.

There are some common stigmas behind chiropractic care that are not justified. One such stigma is that chiropractors aren’t very educated or don’t need a medical degree. Although they don’t receive an M.D and aren’t medical doctors, chiropractors do attain graduate-level education and are required to pass a series of strict chiropractic exams accredited by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners – and only then are certified with a degree Doctor of Chiropractic.  Typically, chiropractors need to have: 

• A four-year undergraduate degree. 
• Three to five years of coursework at an accredited chiropractic university. 
• Completed a clinical internship.
• Pass each of the Chiropractic board exams.

While some doctors disagree about the applicable uses of chiropractic care, it’s still primarily accepted by the medical community. For instance, The American College of Physicians guidelines lists spinal manipulation, a core feature of chiropractic care, as one of the first treatments for lower back pain.

HOW MUCH IS A CHIROPRACTOR?

Chiropractic treatment costs depend on the practice and its location, but appointments usually cost somewhere between $30 to $300 per visit.  Many factors will impact the price of the visit, such as whether it is the first visit with an in-depth exam or a subsequent visit consisting of only a basic chiropractic treatment.  Some clinics may charge extra when the use of modalities like ultrasound, interferential current, or soft tissue mobilization is necessary. 

It is not uncommon for multiple chiropractic treatments to be needed when handling an injury.  At an average price of around $65 per treatment the total cost of rehabilitating and injury could cost a few hundred dollars.  But when that option is compared to the cost of a more invasive surgery that could cost tens of thousands of dollars, conservative chiropractic care is oftentimes an easy decision.

Ask your chiropractor if they have any memberships, treatment packages, or monthly specials that can help make chiropractic care even more affordable.

COMMON CHIROPRACTIC TECHNIQUES

Chiropractic is a method of spinal manipulation performed by an accredited professional. This technique can be done in several different ways. Usually, it involves the chiropractor using their hands to apply force to muscles, bones, and joints; but use of an array of other tools is quite common.  If there is a specific technique you don’t like just let your Chiropractor know and they will adjust to accommodate what works best for you.

While treatment is not usually painful during spinal manipulation, some people may experience slight momentary discomfort or post-treatment soreness.  Any momentary discomfort often passes quickly and is generally followed by intense relief.  Post-treatment soreness is often likened to muscle soreness after working out and can be alleviated with rest and ice applied to the sore region. 

ADJUSTMENTS

An adjustment occurs when chiropractors use their hands or other medical tools to apply controlled force to a spinal joint. Spinal adjustments are commonly utilized for conditions such as lower or upper back pain, neck pain, or headaches.  A simple adjustment can help treat these and a host of other common ailments.

SOFT TISSUE TECHNIQUES

Soft tissue treatments are designed to loosen up muscular knots, break down scarred tissues within the body, and help to alleviate painful areas. They can help increase circulation and healing of tissues, too.

The most common soft tissue technique is Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).  It involves scraping and massaging the skin with small implements. The method is designed for the chiropractor to identify and treat areas affected by scar tissue in order to reduce pain and improve the range of motion. IASTM offers multiple benefits that include helping with faster recovery time and reducing the need for anti-inflammatory medication.

STRETCHING

Stretching is a meaningful way to keep your muscles and joints in good health. Plus, stretching has numerous benefits that don’t require a lot of time or expensive equipment.

Chiropractors encourage stretching to help relieve pain and maintain healthy muscles and joints. When muscles surrounding joints are tight, it can reduce mobility and cause discomfort. Stretching can help loosen the joints, allowing you to move with less difficulty.

MANUAL/ELECTRIC INSTRUMENTS

Chiropractors use their hands to provide treatment to the affected areas most of the time; however, they also use various tools to provide more specialized care when needed.

For instance, different chiropractic tables are used depending on the personal preference of the chiropractor or the treatment that needs to be provided. The ability to change tables to suit the patients’ needs greatly benefits patients and practitioners alike.

An electronic activator may be used during an adjustment, whereby the chiropractor manipulates the activator and applies pressure near the affected joint, followed by a thrust. Instead of using force, the activator tool uses speed and creates the “pop” when applied to affected tissues around a joint.

BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic care has many health benefits that have been validated through clinical research.

For example, a review in 2021 found spinal manipulation to be effective for treating acute neck pain. Research has also shown that chiropractic care can help manage headaches and low back pain.

Another study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine considered different therapies for treating neck pain. They divided 272 study participants into three groups: one received spinal manipulation from a chiropractor, another group was given over-the-counter pain relief, and a third group did exercises such as stretching, dancing, and running.

After twelve weeks of treatment, the results were reported as follows:

• 57% of the chiropractic group achieved significant pain reduction.
• 48% received pain reduction from exercising.
• Only 33% managed to get pain reduction from over-the-counter medication.

Clinical research is continually being conducted and regularly updated to verify findings like these and explore other regions where chiropractic manipulation has strong potential.

HEADACHE/MIGRAINE RELIEF

Around 75% of the adult population in the US suffers from occasional tension-type headaches every year.  Chiropractic care can help treat and manage headaches, including migraines. Adjustments and massages help improve headaches and migraines by relaxing muscles and reducing musculoskeletal tension within the body. 

Chiropractic care can help treat and manage headaches and migraines, especially those in the neck. Adjustments and massages help improve headaches and migraines by relaxing muscles and reducing musculoskeletal tension within the body.

BACK PAIN RELIEF

Sixteen million adults in the United States report chronic or persistent back pain. Thankfully, back relief is a key benefit of chiropractic care. Chiropractic methods are centered around the spine and can provide short-term pain management through the use of adjustments.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

Usually, chiropractic appointments begin with questions about your pain, medical history, and a physical examination. The examination will include the chiropractor checking muscle tone, how you move your body, and how well you can twist, turn, and bend. This helps your chiropractor understand how your body is moving and where problems might be.

An x-ray or MRI scan may follow the examination to determine the source of the pain or to verify the patient is safe to treat. Additional tests using various instruments may also be used while in the office to determine the source of the pain.  Knowing the root cause of the pain can help determine the best treatment plan for combating the pain.

If a chiropractic adjustment is necessary, the patient will lie down on the specialized chiropractic table to get adjusted.  It’s common for patients to hear a ‘popping’ or cracking noise during the adjustment. This is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern. It’s merely the gasses inside your joints being released as the spine is adjusted.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SEE A CHIROPRACTOR?

How often you should see a chiropractor for an adjustment varies from person to person. Some may only require one or two visits per year, while others may require more frequent checkups. If you’re unsure how often you will need to see a chiropractor, you can ask them for recommendations based on their knowledge of you and your condition. Some offices may offer memberships or packages that can help make multiple visits more affordable.

THE NEXT STEPS

Staying in shape is essential to us all. We only get one body, so it helps to make sure it gets everything that it needs.

Optim Chiropractic supports your body through a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and some of the best practitioners in the area. We’ll get to know you, determine the best treatment plan, and work to relieve you of pain.  Find out how the doctors at Optim Chiropractic can help you achieve optimal performance without the use of surgeries or prescription medications.

Call us at (813) 475-4150 to schedule a free consultation or book your first appointment.