30-45 min
Sports Chiropractic
Sessions built around athletes and active injuries take a little longer to cover mobility work alongside the adjustment.
Health Library
How Long Is a Chiropractor Appointment? The Glen Chiropractic, Minnetonka MN
A quick guide to how long you should expect to spend in the chair, from your first visit through routine follow-up care.
A typical chiropractic appointment runs 15 to 60 minutes. First visits usually take about 45 minutes because they include a health history review and a physical exam. Routine follow-up adjustments are often the fastest part of the visit, sometimes as short as 15 minutes.
How Long Is a First Visit?
A first-time visit typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, longer than a routine appointment, because it includes a health history evaluation and a physical examination before any treatment begins. First-time patients at The Glen typically spend around 45 minutes on that first visit so Dr. Hoffman can build an accurate picture before recommending a plan.
How Long Are Follow-Up Visits?
Once your plan is underway, follow-up sessions run 15 to 30 minutes. Routine spinal adjustment visits can take as little as 15 minutes with modern scheduling, since the history and exam work is already done.
Time Investment Varies
Appointment Length by Type of Care.
20-30 min
Pediatric Visits
Gentle, shorter visits sized for kids, with time built in for parents' questions.
30-40 min
Pain Management
Ongoing pain conditions get extra time for hands-on treatment beyond a standard adjustment.
15-20 min
Wellness Check-Ups
Maintenance visits for patients already stable in their care plan tend to move quickly.
Complexity matters too. A complex condition like a herniated disc may need a 40 to 45 minute appointment, while a quick adjustment for minor neck stiffness can take as little as 15 minutes. The setting matters as well: private practices average around 20-minute sessions, hospital-based clinics often schedule 30-minute blocks, and wellness centers tend to run 25-minute visits.
What Affects How Long Your Visit Takes
Age plays a real role. Elderly patients typically need 5 to 10 extra minutes for getting on and off the treatment table, plus gentler, slower adjustments and more detailed instructions to take home. Younger adults typically have quicker adjustment times and shorter overall visits.
What Happens During a Visit
A routine visit generally breaks down into a few short pieces:
Physical assessment: 5 to 10 minutesSpinal adjustment: 10 to 15 minutesTherapeutic exercise demonstration: 5 to 10 minutesTreatment plan discussion: 5 minutes
How Often Should You Go?
Visit frequency matters more than visit length for results. A common pattern is two to three visits a week for acute pain, once a week for ongoing care, and monthly visits for maintenance once you are stable.
Dr. Hoffman's Minnetonka practice offers flexible scheduling built around real schedules, busy parents, athletes, and anyone seeking lasting pain relief. Every visit is sized to what you actually need, not rushed to fit a slot. Explore chiropractic care at The Glen to see how a visit fits into a full plan of care.
Quick Answers
Common Questions About Visit Length.
Plan on about 45 minutes for your first visit. It includes a health history review, a physical exam, and time to talk through your care plan with Dr. Hoffman before any treatment begins.
Most follow-up visits run 15 to 30 minutes. Once your care plan is underway, routine adjustments are often the quickest part of your day.
Yes. Sports and pain-management visits tend to run 30 to 45 minutes because they involve extra hands-on work, while wellness check-ups and simple adjustments can be as short as 15 minutes.
Older patients often need a few extra minutes getting on and off the treatment table, plus gentler, slower adjustments and more detailed home-care instructions.
Ready to see for yourself? Book your first visit.
Your $79 New Patient Special includes a consultation, an exam, and an adjustment.