How long does a chiropractic adjustment last?
A chiropractic session can take anywhere between 3 minutes and 20 minutes depending on the chiropractor and the technique. Releasing a single, restricted joint actually takes less than a minute. There may a few areas that need to be released, but the actual total adjusting time is not very long. (Once you have released the joint, you can’t release it any more in one session and doing too much will just irritate and inflame the area.)
However, the assessment of the spine’s function, explanations about progress, giving any exercises adds to that time. Some chiropractors may work to relax the muscles before adjusting, or use a massage gun to prepare the musculature, but that all depends on the chiropractor.
Some chiropractors use a technique where they leave you lying on specially designed blocks to help correct the spinal joints, and while you are lying there, they move onto the next client and then return to you. That is why you may see more than a few chiropractic benches in one room in photos of their practise. This is not a technique that I personally use.
People accustomed to seeing physiotherapists and massage therapists may be used to a longer visit but more time with a chiropractor does not necessarily equate to more value. However, I prefer to take my time, and tend to give exercises so that the patient can help their progress as much as possible, so my visits are on the longer end of the scale.
What to expect on the first visit at Sarrià Quiropràctica
Stefan Becker
Chiropractor in Barcelona, Spain