What Should my Expectations Be?

What Should My Expectations Be?

Today in my Germantown office a patient whom if have treated off and on probably for a decade asked me, "What should my expectations be?"  He was essentially asking why he wasn't instantly better after he last appointment.  I told him that his expectations were too high.  

This patient has come in for care on an as needed basis like I said for probably a decade or so.  The last time I saw him was a year and a half ago.  Typically he would come in, receive therapy, get adjusted, and feel almost instantly back to normal.  I would typically see him two to four times a year.  He responded great!

I love when a patient gets better fast.  I have an ego, and I like to think I'm good at what I do, so when a patient is better quickly, and tells you how much better they feel there is a certain amount of affirmation in that.

Getting Better Quickly

Now unfortunately not everyone gets better quickly.  This particular patient is not the person he was when I initially started treating him.  He is now married, with three kids, in his forties, and gained some weight, like we all seem to do in our forties.  As we get older, we don't tend to heal as quickly.  That is not to say it doesn't happen, but generally it takes more time.

As far as expectations go, I would estimate about 40% of patients will have a great response after one visit.  That doesn't necessarily mean no more pain, but feel a good level of improvement.  The other 60% takes time.  That doesn't mean that I am going to be treating you every week for the rest of your life, but you may need care a couple of times a week for 3-4 weeks.  Not forever.  

Recommended Therapy Schedule

Now with this patient, I recommended just that approach.  Let's go after the pain on a regular basis for a few weeks until he feels better, and then hopefully his body will remember how it is suppose to feel.  At that point he may begin to again respond quickly and with any future episodes, and be a treated once and feel good type of patient again.

If you have other questions regarding chiropractic treatments, contact us at 301-972-9191 or sign-up at www.CramerChiropracticrehab.com for a free consultation!

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Cramer Chiropractic Rehab

12850 Middlebrook Rd #209

Germantown, MD 20874

301-972-9191

www.cramerchiropracticrehab.com