Do You Really Need Your Spine Cracked Forever?

If you’ve ever been to a chiropractor, you’ve probably heard something like: “Your spine is out of alignment, and you’ll need to come in for adjustments 2–3 times per week… forever.”

That’s exactly what I was told when I first started seeing a chiropractor years ago. At the time, I didn’t know any better. I trusted the process, signed up for the care plan, and showed up for my three adjustments a week like clockwork. At first, it felt good. My back would pop, I’d get that pressure release, and for a little while, I thought I was fixed. But then the pain would creep back, and I was told the same thing again: “That’s why you need to keep coming.”

Here’s the thing—I kept going, but deep down I started to wonder: if the treatment is working, why do I feel like I’ll never be able to stop? Why am I dependent on someone else just to function?

That experience is one of the reasons Amanda and I built Momentum Spine and Sport the way we did. I realized along the way that while adjustments can absolutely be helpful, they aren’t the whole solution. Research backs this up: spinal manipulation can reduce pain in the short term and improve mobility, but it doesn’t “put bones back in place” or prevent future injury on its own. The Lancet Low Back Pain Series (2018) even emphasizes that long-term improvement comes from active self-management and movement, not endless passive care.

So when people ask me now, “Do I need to keep coming forever?” my answer is simple: no. You don’t.

At our office, adjustments are just one tool. The real change happens when you build strength, learn how to move with confidence, and have strategies you can use at home when pain flares up. That’s what creates independence. That’s what actually keeps you better.

I went through the cycle of dependency myself, and I know how frustrating it is to feel like you’ll never be able to stop care. That’s not the model we believe in. Our job is to help you get back to doing what you love—not to keep you on our table three times a week forever.

Because the truth is, your spine doesn’t need to be cracked for the rest of your life. What it really needs is motion, strength, and confidence.

If you’re ready to break the cycle and experience evidence-based care that puts you back in control, schedule a free discovery session with us today.