Is Your Body Ready for a Check-Up? The Benefits of Regular Maintenance Care

The next time you book your car for an M.O.T., remember that your body might just need one too.

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced world, people often overlook one of their most important gifts: their own bodies. While regular check-ups for vehicles are the norm with proper evaluation for safe and efficient operation, it is rare to find people prioritising the same level of “maintenance” for themselves. Regular body maintenance, particularly for those dealing with chronic issues, could prevent larger health concerns down the line. This article will help you understand receiving preventive chiropractic care can be like an M.O.T. for your body. 

Why Is This Study So Important?

This article explores the concept of “maintenance care” for the body, drawing from research on chiropractic maintenance care for chronic low back pain. Low back pain often affects millions worldwide and can reduce quality of life and productivity. The Nordic Maintenance Care program wanted to figure out the effectiveness of maintenance care and the difference it would have compared individuals who would receive treatment when they experience symptoms of low back pain. 

The study, published in 2018 in the journal Spine, researchers wanted to see if going for regular chiropractic check-ups, even when someone was not in pain, would help people who often have low back pain. The study compared two groups: one who received regular check-ups and another that only got help when their pain flared up. The people chosen had all dealt with back pain before and often had it return, so they were a good fit to see if regular care could prevent future pain. 

Participants

The study had 328 people, aged 18-65, all with frequent low back pain. They were split into two groups: one for regular check-ups (the “maintenance care” or MC group) and one for treatment only when pain hit (the “symptom-guided” or SG group).

Treatment

The maintenance care group had regular chiropractic visits every 1-3 months, no matter how they felt. This was meant to prevent pain from coming back or getting worse. The symptom-guided group got care only when their pain returned.

Length of Study

The study lasted a year with several check-ins, allowing researchers to see how both methods affected pain over time.

This study was unique because it focused on how well regular maintenance care worked in real-life situations. By tracking people with long-term low back pain over a long period, it did not only look at whether this type of care worked, but also if it could be a reliable and lasting solution for people who deal with this kind of pain.

What Did They Find?

The study found some strong reasons to support regular maintenance care for people with recurring low back pain.

Fewer Pain Days

The maintenance care group had fewer days in pain than those who only got treatment when pain flared up. This suggests that regular care helps keep pain under control.

Less Intense Pain

The maintenance care group reported less severe pain when it did flare up, likely due to ongoing back care. 

Better Quality of Life

With less pain and fewer flare-ups, people in the maintenance care group could enjoy more activities with less worry about triggering pain.

Lower Health Costs

With fewer flare-ups, they needed fewer emergency treatments, which could mean lower overall healthcare costs over time.

How Can It Help Me?

If you often have pain—like back pain, joint issues, or other chronic problems—maintenance care could really help you. Instead of waiting until the “check engine lights” start blinking in your car, think of it as an “M.O.T. for your body,” like you would give a car regular check-ups, oil changes, and tire rotations to keep it running smoothly and avoid bigger issues in the future. For your body this could look like regular exercising, eating healthy, receiving check-ins and prevention can keep everything working better. As with your car, it can help prevent unexpected “breakdowns” or pain flare-ups before they even start. 

If you have recurring low back pain, this study shows that only getting treatment when pain flares up might mean you may be missing out on fewer pain days and less intense episodes overall. Regular maintenance care can help you handle your condition better and prevent it from taking over your life. This idea also works for other chronic issues, like migraines or joint pain, where keeping up with preventive care can make symptoms easier to manage and might reduce big pain flare-ups. 

If you are worried about how ongoing pain might affect your health, focus, or mood over time, taking a proactive approach like this can help keep you feeling more comfortable and able to do the things you enjoy. Regular check-ins and preventive care build a stronger foundation for your body, helping it handle pain better overall and more capable to do the things you love or exploring new activities.

Our Advice

Given the findings of this study, here are some practical recommendations on integrating maintenance care into your lifestyle.

Consider Regular Check-Ups with a Specialist

For chronic low back pain or similar conditions, regular appointments with a chiropractor or physical therapist may be beneficial. Instead of waiting until pain arises, these professionals can help keep potential triggers in check, maintaining alignment and muscular balance to prevent flare-ups.

Engage in Preventive Exercise

Consistent exercises that strengthen core and back muscles, such as resistance training, yoga or pilates, can serve as a form of maintenance care. This approach helps to build resilience against pain and reduces the likelihood of injuries or strain, complementing any professional care you might receive.

Monitor Your Pain and Lifestyle Factors

Pay attention to how things like stress, your posture, and how much you move affect your pain. Knowing what triggers your pain can help you talk to us about it. Together, we can create a maintenance plan that can help these specific issues and make you feel better.

Do Not Wait for the Pain to Escalate

If you are used to only getting treatment when you are in pain, switching to maintenance care might seem strange at first. Receiving regular care, even when you feel fine, can actually help keep pain from coming back and getting worse later on. Think of preventive care as a way to invest in your future health, helping you stay comfortable and active in the long run. 

Establish a Holistic Maintenance Routine

Maintenance care does not only refer to chiropractic or physical therapy. Consider your whole lifestyle—nutrition, sleep quality, and stress management all play roles in how your body handles pain. Establishing healthy habits that support your physical and mental health will further boost the effects of any maintenance care you receive. 

Take-Home

Maintenance care is not only a concept for those with chronic low back pain. It is rather a proactive approach to your own health. Investing in regular health check-ups, proactive chiropractic adjustments, or therapeutic interventions can make a remarkable difference by building up your body’s resilience. This could help you with fewer health-related disruptions, more energy, and a better quality of life – keeping your body “road-ready” through routine care. 

References

Eklund A, Jensen I, Lohela-Karlsson M, Hagberg J, Leboeuf-Yde C, Kongsted A, Bodin L, Axén I., 2018 Sep. The Nordic Maintenance Care program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain-A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 13(9) Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30208070/