According to latest research, a literature review titled " Maintenance Care " in the Chiropractic and Osteopathic journal of May 2008 states there is no evidence based definition of maintenance care and that it is not well researched, is often controversial and needs to be investigated further. Given alot of back pain cases are recurring, Chiropractors often try and pre-empt these repetitive episodes by means of "Maintenance" or "Wellness" care sessions, scheduled anywhere from once a week to once every 12 weeks over the course of a number of months or years to the rest of your life. It has been shown that the recommendation for repetitive life long chiropractic treatment compromises any attempt at establishing a positive public health image within our profession1. At Back In Shape Chiropractic we strive to distance ourselves from such practices and deal primarily in treating neck and back pain and headache.
We have all heard about the guy who put his back out bending down to tie a shoe. It would turn out to be the months or years of previous tightening under the radar, of muscles and joints that led to the back packing it in, not the above mentioned act of bending over itself. Progressive and continuing previous poor posture, bumps and falls, poor sleeping patterns etc, all have an accumulative effect on the muscles and joints of the body.
At Back In Shape Chiropractic, we believe that an occasional check up every 3-6 months (not every week), depending on your level of activity, is a good idea in order to keep the spine functioning at optimal levels. This being similar to the period alot of people take between dental visits or car servicing's.We believe this to be an economical and pro-active way of keeping the body in check, preventing relapses and worse episodes of back pain down the track. Although it is not a garauntee of a pain free existence, a visit once or twice a year to the Chiropractor should help to minimise the level of pain and amount of down-time required to get back on your feet should there be a reccurrence in the interim. We can replace rotten teeth with new ones, and car parts all the same, but we are stuck with the spine we have. It pays to have it checked before the oil light comes on (and should the light come on, don't snip the wire to it by taking a pain killer - Have it seen to).
At Back In Shape Chiropractic we will not sell you a "lifetime of chiropractic visits", but will endeavour to get you back on track with as minimal visits as possible (usually just the one or two) incorporating into your half hour appointment massage, adjustments, stretching and appropriate exercise prescription... No gimmicks, just a thorough session of restorative therapy.