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What Is Maintenance Care and Is It Worth It?

Chronic pain affects millions of people and can have a significant impact on daily life, wellbeing, and mental health. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a temporary warning signal, chronic pain can persist for months or even years, sometimes without a clear cause. This article explores what chronic pain is, its common causes, and how to manage it effectively.

By Jessica DavyLast edited/reviewed 28th April 2025

In this article, our Chiropractor Jess is explaining what maintenance care is and discusses the benefits.

For the majority of people, the first visit to a chiropractor is to help them relieve pain. If chiropractic care is appropriate,  we would expect to see them more frequently while they have active treatment to help manage the pain and symptoms. Once things have settled, we may then discuss the option of maintenance care.

What is maintenance care?

Chiropractors often recommend maintenance care for people who are feeling better but want to stay that way. The idea is to help prevent aches and pains from creeping back in and to keep you moving as well as possible. These appointments may include hands-on treatment, muscle and soft tissue work, rehabilitation exercises, and advice on everyday habits, all regularly spaced out over time to give you ongoing support.

The best way to prevent future problems is through movement and education, but for some people, having a structured plan makes all the difference. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes a little extra support is needed to keep things on track.

How often you come in for maintenance care depends on you, your body, your lifestyle, the level of function we are trying to maintain and how much support you feel you need. Some people like to book monthly visits, while others come in every two or three months. Your needs might change throughout the year too, some people find they need a bit more help in the colder months when they’re less active, while others feel it more when work or hobbies pick up. The key is finding a routine that keeps you feeling your best.

Maintenance care isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay! Your chiropractor will always be open and honest about whether they think it’s right for you based on your history and how well treatment has worked so far. And if you decide it’s not for you, you’re always welcome to come back whenever you need us.

Is it worth it?

Research has shown that regular maintenance care can make a real difference. A study in 2018 followed people with low back pain and found that those who had regular chiropractic visits had around 13 fewer days of bothersome pain over the course of a year compared to those who only came in when things flared up.

Another study in 2021 looked at how people felt about maintenance care. It found that many saw their regular visits as positive, encouraging, and reassuring. Knowing that help was always available, just a phone call away, gave them peace of mind and confidence in managing their health.

Of course, whether you choose maintenance care is entirely up to you. Some people like the structure of regular visits, while others prefer to come in only when they feel they need it. Either way, we’re always here to help if pain ever returns (though we hope it doesn’t!).

Maintenance care isn’t a magic fix that stops pain from ever coming back, but it is a management strategy that can help reduce discomfort and keep you moving well for longer. Looking after your health isn’t just about treating problems when they appear, it’s about taking small steps to stay well for the long run.

Want to speak to one of our chiropractors about maintenance care? Call us on 01452 883232 today.

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