What to Do After a Chiropractic Adjustment

May 21, 2022

What to Do After a Chiropractic Adjustment Whether you are seeking care for chronic pain or car accident injuries, deciding to visit a chiropractor is a great first step toward better health and less pain. But if you’re used to traditional medical care, you may be unsure what to expect at the chiropractor. This care is not based on treating surface-level symptoms or using medication to hide symptoms- instead, the goal is to identify and repair the root cause of your pain. As a part of your treatment plan, there are steps you can take at home to ensure the body responds well and heals as quickly as possible.

What to Expect at a Chiropractic Adjustment

If it is your first visit to a chiropractor, the main goal will be for them to understand exactly what your concerns are and what may be most helpful to you for a treatment plan. This will start with a conversation where you share any symptoms or concerns and the chiropractor asks about your history, lifestyle, and concerns. They may also perform a physical examination to understand the state of your spine and reflexes or even take x-rays to get a visual of your spine’s current positioning and any misalignments.

An adjustment itself is usually very quick and painless. You will be asked to lie on a specialized table while they manually adjust your spine through a series of movements. A chiropractor may also use specialized tools and ask you to move into certain positions during the adjustment. If you hear a popping or cracking sound, don’t be alarmed- this is usually just air between your joints escaping as your spine is moved toward alignment.

You may feel some slight tugging or pressure during the adjustment, but it is typically painless. If you have an existing injury or condition, you may feel slight pain at the site that will improve over time.

How You May Feel After an Adjustment

Chiropractic treatment usually takes a course of treatment over days and weeks to be fully effective. However, some people will feel relief immediately following an adjustment, or at least slight improvement. If you don’t feel this way, it doesn’t mean the adjustment didn’t work, just that your body is still acclimating to changes.

It is common to feel sore after a chiropractic adjustment, like you might after a deep tissue massage or a day in the gym. You may also experience some fatigue or even a headache. This is a result of your body releasing toxins that were trapped due to blockages and misalignments and the body needing to process them. After a few days, you should feel back to normal or even better.

Tips for Aftercare

In the hours and days after your adjustment, there are things you can do to avoid negative effects from toxin release and increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Hydrate

Tips for Aftercare You can start drinking water before you go in for your appointment, and it is important to continue after the fact. The more water you drink, the faster toxins will be able to flush out of your body and relieve any symptoms.

Water also helps your spine function better. When you are fully hydrated, the discs between your vertebrae are able to provide more cushion and better absorb shock. Joints also require lubrication to move properly and help you move without pain.

Move Carefully

You shouldn’t leave the chiropractor and immediately begin lifting weights or doing another strenuous exercise. But movement is important- it helps to stimulate blood flow and allow oxygenated blood to flow through your body, which helps speed up any healing processes. Lying or sitting down can worsen many spinal issues and slow progress.

A walk, a light swim, or a slow bike ride are all good options for a low-impact movement that help blood flow without causing further injury. Anything that makes your pain worse should be avoided.

Speak with your chiropractor about your normal activity levels and what makes sense for you during treatment. They may recommend a short period of rest before any activity or that you keep up your normal routine of exercise if you are very active.

Avoid Sudden Movement

Certain movements should be avoided altogether right after an adjustment and throughout treatment. These include sudden or “explosive” movements like jumping and lifting weights with force like a kettlebell. If you feel relief after your adjustment, it can be easy to feel like you can go back to normal, but certain things can lead to more injury.

You will not need to avoid these movements forever. In fact, many professional athletes use adjustments to prepare for games and training. But in the early parts of treatment, or right after an adjustment, it is best to let the body recover.

Use Chiropractic Exercises

When it comes to movements that are beneficial, your chiropractor may be able to recommend specific exercises to add to your routine. Either alone or in combination with a physical therapist, a chiropractor may give you exercises and movements that will be beneficial to your recovery.

Many of these movements are aimed at preventing injury in the future. They may strengthen the back or promote flexibility and range of motion so that you are better able to use your spine. A chiropractor may also recommend specific equipment like foam rollers to help with these routines.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet is always helpful, but it can be especially helpful right after an adjustment. Avoiding fatty and unhealthy foods in favor of nutrient-dense options helps your body better replenish and repair itself. Processed foods and sugar can increase inflammation in the body, which is the original source of some back pain in the first place.

Focus on a lot of fiber, lean protein, and micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. This is especially important right after an adjustment, but continuing these habits can also help prevent further issues.

Listening to Your Body

If this is your first adjustment, you may feel some odd sensations after treatment because your body is adjusting to new stimuli and healing itself. This may include tingling and cooling sensations throughout the affected areas and surrounding muscles.

While these sensations are usually not a concern, it is good to pay attention and note anything you feel for your next visit. If certain movements or positions trigger the sensation, you can avoid those for the time being.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel tired, it is okay to rest extra to allow your body to replenish itself. If you are hungry or thirsty, be sure to respond to that need.

Avoid Sitting for Long Periods

Most people sit for hours each day, especially if their job involves using a computer or laptop. This is generally bad for our spines and can lead to poor posture and other health conditions. Your chiropractor may work with you on finding better positions for when you do need to sit so that you can optimize your environment.

Following an adjustment, it is best to avoid prolonged sitting when possible. When you do have to sit, make sure you are using good posture and keeping your shoulders back, heels on the floor, and elbows tight to your side. This will allow your body to heal in the moment, but also create good habits moving forward.

Continuing Chiropractic Care

Continuing Chiropractic CareWhether you feel some soreness or relief after your first adjustment, it is important to know that chiropractic care can be a process that requires commitment. Most courses of treatment will involve multiple adjustments a week for a handful of weeks while the spine returns to alignment. You may continue treatment for prevention and further improvement after this initial period as well.

The most important thing you can do after an adjustment is return to complete your sessions, even if you feel negative side effects or do not feel a difference at first. The effects fade with time, and adjustments are cumulative, meaning that the more you go, the better you will feel. This is because chiropractors don’t focus on hiding symptoms or methods that temporarily relieve them, like medication. Instead, they are working towards healing the root cause of your issue, which cannot be done in a single session.

If you are concerned about any side effects or have questions about what is normal, you should speak with your chiropractor. They will be happy to talk through any concerns and walk you through what to expect through the rest of your treatment.

At AICA Lithia Springs, our chiropractors will perform a comprehensive evaluation during your first visit and share with you their findings and plans for personalized treatment.

If necessary, this will involve other members of our team, like physical therapists or even orthopedists. Each person at AICA Lithia Springs is happy to answer your questions and share the experience of our clients to help you prepare for your adjustment and feel supported afterward. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and work towards recovery.

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