“How often should you see a chiropractor for shoulder pain?”

To address shoulder pain there needs to be a better understanding of your specific case. A new patient process includes a patient intake, consultation, and physical examination to further understand the potential root cause of this type of condition or injury. With pain, x-rays and MRIs may be warranted to assess the extent of the condition or injury. This will help understand the length of time for care. There are certain exams during the new patient process that are performed to understand the severity. Some positive exams may warrant you to be referred to the emergency room, urgent care, neurologist, MD, DO, or orthopedist. If no referral is needed, diagnostic imaging may be warranted as further examination (as stated above). If those above paths are not needed then addressing the condition with chiropractic care may be palliative in the alleviation of these imbalances creating dysfunction in the body, such as disc bulges. There are various techniques in chiropractic. Throughout an active phase of care, it will be determined if the patient is responding favorably to certain techniques. *If favorable, most pain cases range from 2-3x/wk for 2-4 wks to begin. Then a re-exam will be performed to give a better understanding of how many visits are needed from there. In total, it may take 10-18 visits to see a substantial change or potential full resolution. The neck is highly correlated to the shoulder, therefore focusing on the neck and upper back to mid back may be helpful in your case.*

It really depends on the cause. Is it a sprain which would require less care or is it a torn rotator cuff or labrum or osteoarthritis? Once the correct diagnosis is determined, a treatment plan can be established. Hope this helps. Jay H Schwartz, DC, DIBCN, DIBE

The frequency of chiropractic visits for shoulder pain can vary greatly depending on the individual and the severity of their condition. Here are some general guidelines: - For acute shoulder pain, it's common to start with a higher frequency of visits, such as 2-3 times per week. - As the condition improves, the frequency of visits can be reduced. - For chronic shoulder pain, a maintenance schedule of once a month or every other month might be appropriate. However, it's important to remember that each person's situation is unique. It's best to consult with a local chiropractor who can evaluate your condition and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Please note that this information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare provider.