When setting expectations for treatments, most patients ask, “how many sessions it will take to make me better?” The basis of the determination of treatment is gauged not merely on the age of the patient, their activity level, or gender, but by the amount of time the situation/pain has been occurring and the degree of severity.

 

For example, I have seen 2 people within the same time frame, with somewhat similar complaints/issues; low back pain and could barely walk. The first person was a 79 year old woman who was not very active. Her issue began five months prior to our meeting.

 

After evaluation, it took 3 treatments to resolve her situation almost completely. Alternately, the second person was a 27 year old man in excellent physical shape. His pain was very high and began 3 months prior to our first meeting. However, the initial injury occurred 8 years prior. After evaluation, it took nearly 10 treatments to almost completely remediate his pain.

 

The first treatment will be an overall assessment/evaluation of structural and mobility discrepancies as it pertains to the “better side”/opposite corresponding area, to give a baseline to what is displayed by the more compromised area/body part. It is with this first treatment that I gather the majority of information needed to proceed for the best/potential treatments. These treatments are not typically relaxing, but a therapeutic treatment in which the patient is actively involved with the procedure. Additionally, upon conclusion of treatment, many of my patients want to ensure that they remain structurally and mechanically well, even if they do not have severe or even moderate pain, and schedule maintenance appointments on a consistent 1-4 weeks.