Why Do Some Chiropractors Treat in 5 Minutes While Others Take Longer?
If you've visited different chiropractors, you may have noticed significant variations in treatment styles. Some provide quick "crack-and-go" adjustments that last only five minutes, while others spend more time incorporating soft tissue releases and other modalities. This raises an important question: Is one approach better than the other? And is a chiropractor who treats in a shorter time frame being unethical by recommending frequent visits?
Different Treatment Philosophies
Chiropractors differ in their approach based on their philosophy, training, and clinical experience. The two primary styles include:
High-Volume, Quick Adjustments – Some chiropractors focus mainly on spinal adjustments (high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts). They believe that correcting spinal misalignments is the key to improving nervous system function, and they may see dozens of patients per hour. These treatments are typically brief, lasting only a few minutes.
Comprehensive Care – Other chiropractors adopt a more holistic, evidence-based approach. In addition to adjustments, they may include soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and patient education to address muscular imbalances, movement dysfunctions, and underlying causes of pain. These treatments usually last 15–30 minutes or longer.
Which Approach Is Better?
The best treatment approach depends on the patient’s condition, goals, and response to care:
Quick Adjustments: These may be effective for patients seeking maintenance care, acute pain relief, or those who respond well to spinal manipulations alone.
Comprehensive Care: This approach is generally more beneficial for complex cases, chronic conditions, or musculoskeletal issues requiring more than just an adjustment.
While both methods can be effective, a patient-centered approach—where the treatment is tailored to the individual—is usually the most beneficial.
Is the 5-Minute Approach Unethical?
A chiropractor providing quick treatments isn’t necessarily being unethical. However, concerns arise when:
Patients are encouraged to book excessive visits (e.g., three times per week for months) without clear clinical reasoning.
The chiropractor prioritizes patient volume over quality care, potentially rushing assessments and adjustments.
Underlying causes of dysfunction are ignored, leading to temporary symptom relief without addressing long-term musculoskeletal health.
On the other hand, if a quick adjustment genuinely helps the patient and they are well-informed about their treatment options, it is not inherently unethical.
Final Thoughts
Chiropractic care should be patient-centered, evidence-based, and focused on long-term well-being rather than rigid protocols or high-frequency treatment models. If you’re unsure about the style of care you’re receiving, don’t hesitate to ask your chiropractor about their approach and how it aligns with your needs.
At Epoch Health, we believe in a thorough, evidence-based approach to chiropractic care. If you're looking for comprehensive treatment that goes beyond just adjustments, book an appointment with us today!