When to See a Chiropractor vs. Wait It Out

I'm going to be honest with you: not every ache, twinge, or sore spot needs a chiropractor. Sometimes your body just needs rest. But sometimes waiting makes things worse. Here's how I think about it.

When waiting is probably fine

If you overdid it at the gym, spent a weekend moving furniture, or slept in a weird position, your body often sorts itself out in a few days. Mild muscle soreness after activity is normal. Your body is designed to heal.

Give it 3-5 days of normal activity (not bed rest - that usually makes things worse), some gentle stretching, and see how you feel. Ice can help in the first 48 hours if there's inflammation. Heat works better after that.

When you should probably come in

There are a few patterns that suggest something more is going on:

Pain that's been there more than a week or two. If it's not improving on its own, something is keeping it stuck. Might be a joint that's not moving well, muscle compensation patterns, or something else that won't resolve without intervention.

Pain that radiates. If your back pain shoots down your leg, or your neck pain runs into your shoulder or arm, that's often nerve involvement. Worth getting looked at sooner rather than later.

Recurring episodes. You throw your back out every few months? That's a pattern, not bad luck. Something in how you're moving or holding yourself is setting you up for repeat injuries.

Pain that's affecting your daily life. If you're changing how you sit, sleep, or move to avoid pain, you're developing compensations that often create new problems. Better to address the root cause.

When you should skip the chiropractor and see your doctor

I always want to be clear about this: chiropractors aren't the right answer for everything. See your primary care doctor or go to urgent care if you have:

• Pain after a serious trauma (car accident, bad fall)
• Pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats
• Loss of bladder or bowel control with back pain (this is an emergency)
• Numbness or weakness that's getting worse
• Pain that wakes you from sleep regularly

These can be signs of something that needs medical evaluation first.

The honest truth about chiropractic

What we're good at: mechanical problems. Joints that aren't moving well, muscles that are tight or weak, movement patterns that are setting you up for pain. We find the spots that are stuck and get them moving again.

What we're not: miracle workers. I can't fix a problem in one visit that took years to develop. And some conditions just aren't chiropractic cases. A good chiropractor will tell you when you need someone else.

If you're not sure whether your situation warrants a visit, you can always call and describe what's going on. I'd rather have a quick phone conversation and point you in the right direction than have you wait on something that needs attention - or come in for something that'll resolve on its own.