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How Long Is a Chiropractic Appointment?

You need to schedule a chiropractic appointment into your busy day but as this is your first visit, you’re not sure how long it’s going to take. So, you’re wondering exactly how long is a chiropractic appointment.

The answer is that it depends on the type of care you require. Some procedures, and conditions, need more time than others. With that in mind, let’s look at the different stages of chiropractic treatment and consider how long an appointment for each of these typically lasts.

How Long Are Most Chiropractic Appointments?

Most initial chiropractic appointments can take up to an hour because they involve your initial assessment, testing, and any necessary treatment. 

Follow-up appointments generally last 20 minutes to half an hour.

New Patient Appointments

Expect to spend at least an hour in your first initial consult appointment. During this session we:

  • Conduct a thorough examination to ascertain your overall neuromusculoskeletal health
  • Discuss your medical history and current concerns
  • Carry out an initial treatment if indicated

There is more information about this appointment here.

Returning Patient Appointments

At the end of your initial consultation, we schedule a Report of Findings appointment. This session will usually last about 20 to 30 minutes. 

During this appointment, we discuss:

  • The results of any tests we’ve done and explain our findings, 
  • Your personalised care plan.

We then perform any necessary treatment procedures.

Your subsequent appointments will typically be around the same length – 20 – 30 minutes. These sessions provide for ongoing assessment and treatment as required.

How Long Does an Adjustment Take at a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic adjustments are very focused procedures and normally only take a few minutes, if not seconds, to perform.

However, complex cases can take a bit longer depending on the area being treated. With multiple adjustments, your chiropractor may also wait between adjustments to give your body time to adjust.

The rest of your appointment time is usually spent assessing your progress, discussing any concerns you may have, and performing any additional therapies required such as soft tissue work, or therapeutic exercises. This is why we generally allow 20-30 minutes per appointment. 

How Long Does Chiropractic Treatment Last?

How long your chiropractic treatment plan lasts depends on your condition, how severe your symptoms are, and how well you’re responding to treatment. 

Some people feel significant pain relief and improvement almost immediately whilst others take a bit longer, and require a more extensive treatment plan.

Or you may develop a new concern that requires assessment and another treatment plan.

Generally, though, most patients have several follow-up appointments during which we assess ongoing progress and make any necessary changes to treatment plans. These appointments may be weekly, monthly, or even quarterly depending on your condition.

What Factors Can Influence the Length of a Chiropractic Appointment?

The length of a chiropractic appointment generally depends on:

  • How complex your condition is – the more complex, the longer it may take to thoroughly examine, assess, and develop a treatment plan.
  • The treatment techniques used – while adjustments usually only take a few minutes, other types of treatment – soft tissue work, rehabilitation exercises and so on – take longer
  • Your response to treatment – your chiropractor may decide you need a more detailed reassessment during an appointment, which may in turn extend your appointment
  • Your medical history – if you have an extensive medical history, or have experienced a change in symptoms, it could require more discussion time with your chiropractor

How Soon Can You Feel Relief After Starting Chiropractic Care?

Responses to chiropractic treatment vary from individual to individual, and also on the condition being treated. Some patients notice immediate relief after just a single adjustment. Others need several sessions before their symptoms noticeably improve.

Regardless, your chiropractor will always set realistic expectations based on your condition when discussing your treatment plan with you.

How Often Should I Have Chiropractic Adjustments?

Your chiropractor will schedule your adjustments to suit your condition and healing progress. 

Acute conditions for example may initially require frequent adjustments – perhaps 2 or 3 times a week until your condition improves and you feel less pain. At that point, the frequency will gradually reduce in line with your progress.

If you have a chronic condition, you may need regular ongoing adjustments, perhaps every few weeks or months, to help manage symptoms and maintain improvement.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you have healthy muscles, a strong core, and good posture, you should be able to ‘hold’ an adjustment better than someone who doesn’t. That could mean less frequent adjustments.

Can One Chiropractic Session Make A Difference?

Yes, one chiropractic session can make a difference but it does depend on the condition being treated and your overall health. Some conditions, and patients, respond quickly to treatment. Others don’t. 

It’s always a good idea to discuss your expectations in this regard with your chiropractor.

Conclusion: How Long Is A Chiropractic Appointment?

So, how long is a chiropractic appointment? The answer depends on the nature of your visit. A new patient consultation typically lasts around 1 hour, allowing for a detailed assessment and initial treatment. 

Follow-up appointments generally range from 20 to 30 minutes, focusing on adjustments and reassessments. The duration of your overall treatment will depend on your individual treatment plan.

Your chiropractor will generally explain all this to you either during your initial consult or during follow-up appointments.

Elizabeth Garvey
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