Chiropractic Care: More than Pain Relief
There are three categories of chiropractic care – acute, maintenance, and supportive. Read on to learn about the differences in care and how these approaches work to provide symptom relief, and help ensure you’re achieving your functional, mobility (movement), and lifestyle goals.
Acute care is the most common type of care sought by patients. It is used for short term symptom relief and to help patients get back to their pre-injury level of function and mobility.
Maintenance care is used to prevent future injuries and maintain long-term function and movement.
Supportive care is for patients who have chronic underlying conditions, and require help to manage their symptoms.
When to Seek Acute Chiropractic Care
Acute chiropractic care is short-term treatment to help provide immediate pain relief and restore function. It is provided for:
- Sudden injuries (such as sprains or muscle strains)
- Severe back or neck pain
- Headaches or migraines
- Restricted movement due to muscle tightness or joint stiffness
How Acute Care Works
Acute care is designed to address the root cause of pain and bring relief as quickly as possible. This may involve:
- Chiropractic adjustments to realign the spine and joints
- Soft tissue therapy to relieve tension and improve mobility
- Pain management techniques, such as ice, heat, laser therapy, or electrical stimulation
- Rehabilitation exercises to support healing and prevent further strain
Once symptoms improve and pre-injury function and proper movement are restored, maintenance care may be recommended.
Why is Maintenance Chiropractic Care Important?
Maintenance care helps patients identify and prevent potential issues before they happen. Instead of waiting until symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or lack of movement appear, maintenance chiropractic visits ensure your neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, and bones) stay functioning properly.
Why is Maintenance Care Important?
- Prevents future injuries by keeping joints, muscles, and your spine aligned
- Reduces the risk of chronic pain by addressing small issues before they accumulate or get worse
- Supports posture and mobility, especially important if you have a sedentary job or work that is physically demanding
- Enhances overall well-being by maintaining movement and function, allowing you to continue to enjoy your usual activities, supporting stress reduction and strong nervous system health
How Supportive Care can Help
Supportive chiropractic care helps patients with chronic conditions manage pain and maintain function. Unlike acute care, it focuses on long-term symptom relief rather than full recovery. This type of care is beneficial for conditions such as:
- Arthritis – To help reduce stiffness and support joint mobility
- Tendinosis – To ease strain and promote tissue healing
- Scoliosis – To promote correct posture and reduce discomfort
Supportive care may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and other pain management techniques. While full function may not be restored, the goal is to enhance mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve overall quality of life.
Key Differences between Types of Chiropractic Care
Acute Chiropractic Care - Short-Term, Immediate Relief
- Focus on relieving pain and restoring movement
- Used for injuries, discomfort, and limited mobility
- Treatments are temporarily frequent (weekly or multiple times per week)
- Helps reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension
Maintenance Chiropractic Care - Long-Term, Preventative Care
- Focus on preventing pain/injury and maintaining musculoskeletal health
- Helps with posture, mobility, and reducing chronic pain risk
- Treatments are consistent and scheduled (typically once a month or every 6–8 weeks)
- Keeps the spine, muscles, and nervous system functioning optimally
Supportive Chiropractic Care – Management for Chronic Conditions
- Focus on symptom management and improving function for those with underlying chronic conditions
- Used for patients with conditions including arthritis, scoliosis, and tendinosis
- Helps maintain mobility, reduce discomfort, and enhance quality of life
- Customized treatments based on individual needs, often at regular intervals
Patient needs and priorities determine the type and combination of care required. In some cases, patients may transition from acute to maintenance care once their symptoms have been addressed. Think of acute care as helping you heal and maintenance care as keeping you feeling and functioning your best.
Common Conditions and Patient Concerns - Which Type of Care Works Best?
Conditions Treated with Acute Chiropractic Care:
- Lower back pain (sudden onset or injury-related)
- Neck pain and whiplash
- Sciatica (nerve pain down the leg)
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint and muscle sprains or strains
Conditions Best Managed with Maintenance Chiropractic Care:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Repetitive strain injuries (such as from prolonged sitting or computer use)
- Athletic performance and injury prevention
- General wellness and mobility support
Conditions That Benefit from Supportive Chiropractic Care:
- Arthritis and joint degeneration
- Tendinosis and chronic tendon injuries
- Scoliosis and other long-term musculoskeletal conditions
- Neuromuscular disorders affecting mobility and function
- Pain management for conditions that cannot be fully resolved
How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?
Your care plan depends on your unique health needs, but here is a general guideline:
- Acute care: Visits may be weekly or multiple times per week until pain subsides.
- Maintenance care: Visits are typically once a month or every 6–8 weeks to prevent future issues
- Supportive care: Visits are scheduled on an ongoing basis, depending on the severity of the condition, to help manage symptoms and maintain optimal unction.
Your chiropractor will work with you to create a drug-free plan that aligns with your health goals and lifestyle.
Take Charge of Your Health with Chiropractic Care
Whether you are recovering from an injury or hoping to prevent future pain, chiropractic care is a powerful tool for your health. No referral is needed – you can book directly to start your care.
- Acute care helps you feel better when pain strikes
- Maintenance care keeps your body strong, flexible, and balanced
- Supportive care provides long-term symptom management for chronic underlying conditions
At Alliance Chiropractic, we take a personalized approach to patient care. Our goal is to help you feel and function your best so you can keep doing the activities that you love.
Not sure what type of care you need? Contact us today to schedule an assessment.
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Information for this blog was sourced from: Chiropractic.ca, PMC PubMed Central