How Often Should You See a Chiropractor? What the Research Actually Says
(Insights from Dr Heidi Haavik’s Scheduling Study)
By Nomad Chiropractic | Mosman, Sydney
If you’ve ever wondered “How often should I see a chiropractor?”—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions patients at Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman ask, especially when they want long-term relief from headaches, posture tension, or stress-related tightness… but also want care that’s based on solid science.
A groundbreaking research summary by Dr Heidi Haavik, a New Zealand chiropractor and neurophysiologist, has explored this exact question:
👉 Does the frequency of chiropractic care influence how well you improve?
Let’s break down the findings in a friendly, easy way—so you can understand what actually works, why frequency matters, and how we at Nomad tailor scheduling for babies, kids, teens, pregnancy, sports, and adults.
The Big Takeaway from the Research
Consistent chiropractic care creates better changes in the brain and nervous system than sporadic visits.
Dr Haavik’s research highlights a key concept:
⭐ The benefits of chiropractic care build over time
Adjustments appear to create neuroplastic changes—small improvements in how your brain interprets and coordinates the body—especially in relation to:
headache patterns
posture and balance
muscle tone and tension
stress responses
These changes don’t happen instantly. They accumulate with repeated, consistent input, especially early on.
Why Frequency Matters
Chiropractic care is a bit like fitness training for the nervous system:
1. The spine and brain adapt better with repetition
Research demonstrates adjustments affect the prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in:
planning
focus
emotional regulation
movement control
More regular care → more consistent input → longer-lasting improvements.
2. Pain relief and functional changes follow different timelines
You may feel better after one or two sessions (many do!),
but functional changes—like mobility, posture, or headache reduction—tend to follow:
Phase 1: Early intensive care (2–3x/week)
Phase 2: Stabilisation (1x/week or fortnightly)
Phase 3: Maintenance (fortnightly–monthly depending on your lifestyle)
This 3-phase progression mirrors the models in Dr Haavik’s summary.
3. Life stressors can re-trigger old patterns
Especially in people with:
chronic stress
sedentary jobs
high physical load
pregnancy/postpartum body changes
Frequency helps buffer against these flare-ups by supporting nervous system resilience.
How Often Should You Come? Our Nomad Approach
We always individualise care—no one is placed on a pre-set “plan.”
But informed by Haavik’s work, plus clinical experience, we use these general pathways:
For Headaches & Migraines
2-3x/week initially → taper to weekly → fortnightly → then monthly once stable.
How Chiropractic May Help Headaches (And Why Frequency Matters Here)
One key insight from Haavik’s research is that spinal adjustments change how the brain processes sensory information—especially information from the neck.
In headaches and migraines, this is huge.
Because the neck feeds into the trigemino-cervical nucleus (a major pain gateway associated with headaches), improving this neural flow may:
reduce irritation
improve mobility
rebalance muscle tension
improve the brain’s mapping of the region
More regular input helps these changes settle and stabilise long-term.
This is exactly why so many of our Mosman, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, St Leonards, Manly, Balgowlah headache patients notice the best results with consistent early care.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Nomad Chiropractic: What Makes Our Scheduling Unique?
✔ Evidence-informed (we actively use Haavik’s research)
✔ Gentle techniques suitable for all ages
✔ Focus on neurological patterns, not just pain
✔ We re-test often—if you don’t need care, we won’t recommend it
✔ We integrate home exercises, breathing work, and nervous system tools
✔ Family-oriented, from pregnancy → babies → kids → teens → adults
✔ Located conveniently for Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Northbridge, and North Shore families. Also near to Manly, Freshwater, Queenscliff and Lower Northern Beaches families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How often should I get adjusted for headaches?
Most people benefit from 2-3 sessions per week early on, based on clinical research and how the nervous system adapts. As headaches reduce, frequency tapers to weekly → fortnightly → monthly.
2. Do I need to keep coming forever?
Not unless you want to maintain your results.
Just like exercise, many people feel better with a monthly “tune-up,” but it’s entirely optional.
3. Is chiropractic safe to do weekly?
Yes—when performed by trained professionals.
Chiropractic care is low-risk and gentle, especially the techniques we use at Nomad for adults, pregnancy, babies, and kids.
4. How do I know if the frequency is right for me?
We reassess regularly: posture, mobility, strength, nervous system patterns, and functional outcomes. Your care plan is adjusted as your body changes.
5. Can I come less often if I’m feeling good?
Absolutely.
We’ll help you find the minimum effective frequency for your goals—whether that’s performance, posture, headache prevention, or overall wellbeing.
The Nomad Difference
At Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman, we take the time to understand your unique headache story. We’re known for:
Long Initial Consultations (45min) allowing us to deep dive your history, your unique journey.
Paediatric to adult care - our techniques are tailored to age and stage meaning we can care for the whole family from newborn to the elderly.
Collaboration with your GP or specialist. Co-management for complex cases is key.
Gentle, evidence-informed care.
Research-backed chiropractic schedule
Homecare Movement Tips
📲 FOLLOW SANDY ON SOCIALS! She gives heaps of Homecare intentional movement tips.
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Nomad Chiropractic in the News!
Neighbourhood Media recently interviewed Sandy and Kristin about their holistic approach to headaches, migraines, TMJ & whole-body wellness with chiropractic care on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
Want to learn more? Book a FREE 15min discovery call with one of our Sydney Headache and Migraine Chiropractors today: Book HERE
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Haavik H., Holt K., Niazi IK. How Often Should You See a Chiropractor? The Reality Check. 2020.
Haavik H., Murphy B. The effects of spinal manipulation on sensory processing, motor output, and sensorimotor integration. J Electromyogr Kinesiol.
Holt K., Haavik H., et al. Chiropractic care and prefrontal cortex activity. Brain Sciences.
Australian Chiropractors Association. Clinical guidelines.
(References listed for educational purposes; not therapeutic claims.)
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Chiropractic care does not claim to cure headaches or any medical condition. We focus on improving spinal function and nervous system awareness, which may support overall wellbeing. Results vary person to person.