Pain
When chronic joint dysfunction (subluxation) finally exhibits pain, the person experiencing this pain is under the false assumption that everything was OK until the pain started. This is similar to what happens when a person finally experiences tooth pain as a result of long standing tooth decay. Pain, which usually occurs as an end result of an imbalance, is the body's way of saying, "I can no longer function this way. I am in trouble now. HELP!"
The question arises: "Why, once I'm adjusted and my pain relieved, do I have to keep getting adjusted?" To answer this, here is an analogy: When a person's teeth are crooked, they get braces. After the teeth have straightened out, the orthodontist instructs you to wear a retainer. The reason that the retainer is used when the teeth are already straight is because the canals that surround the teeth are still crooked. It takes time for these retaining elements (the tooth canals) to straighten out. The same is true for the body's musculoskeletal system, only the retaining elements are not canals but are muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These retaining elements must be rehabilitated and realigned to proper position in order to prevent reoccurance of your painful condition. Ultimately, how long a patient decides to benefit from Chiropractic care is always up to each individual.