Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles. It can also improve your overall well-being, especially when combined with lifestyle and diet changes recommended by an experienced chiropractor.
But muscle and joint recovery doesn’t just stop after you’ve undergone a chiropractic session. Here’s everything you need to know about these treatments and what not to do after chiropractic adjustment.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustment?
Each patient has their own reason for seeking chiropractic care, but it’s mostly used to treat pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the joints and muscles.
It can also relieve stiff muscles, reduce headaches, improve posture, and help manage pain from joint problems. Overall, chiropractic adjustments promote therapeutic and long-lasting joint health, flexibility, and pain relief.
How Does Chiropractic Adjustment Work?
A chiropractor specializes in aligning certain parts of your spine and manipulating joints using their hands and chiropractic instruments.
Before your first session, your chiropractor will assess your body by performing a physical exam and asking about your medical history and symptoms. From there, they will discuss with you the best treatment plan for your issues.
Basic chiropractic care includes spine alignments and joint adjustments. Chiropractors apply pressure onto a joint with a quick and controlled force to realign your vertebrae and release trapped gases.
Some chiropractors also incorporate massage therapy, stretching, joint bracing, and diet and exercise recommendations, depending on your symptoms.
What are the Side Effects of Chiropractic Adjustment?
After a chiropractic adjustment, some patients have reported side effects from the treatment. These side effects don’t happen often and are usually temporary.
Some patients experience mild headaches and dizziness after an adjustment because of certain chiropractic techniques that involve high-velocity adjustments and manipulations. This may startle the body, causing you to feel lightheaded and off-balance.
For patients with body pain, a common side effect after a chiropractic adjustment is soreness. One may even experience swelling after a chiropractor works on them because of the repeated stretching and alignment that is done on the body to relieve pain. However, proper rest and gentle stretching afterward will ease these side effects quickly.
Just like any other treatment, it is important to take care of yourself after the procedure to lessen these side effects and yield the best results.
5 Things to Do After a Chiropractic Adjustment
Despite the initial side effects, the benefits of chiropractic adjustment are felt almost immediately after the treatment. It is recommended to seek chiropractic care frequently to improve your health and reduce your symptoms over the long term.
After each session, your chiropractor will recommend aftercare maintenance to maximize the benefits of your adjustment and prevent any unwanted pain.
Here are some aftercare tips to keep in mind after a session:
Pay Attention to Your Body’s Needs
If you are a first-time chiropractic patient, you may feel odd sensations as your body gets used to the adjustment. Pay attention to your body and notice if you feel any numbness or swelling in certain areas.
You should also be aware of what your body needs. If you feel tired, rest properly and restrict yourself to gentle exercises without exerting yourself too much. Drink plenty of water and follow up with your chiropractor if needed.
Hydrate
One benefit of a chiropractic adjustment is the release of toxins in your body, so it is important to help facilitate the removal of toxins by drinking lots of water to flush them away.
By flushing away these toxins, you are allowing your body to heal and recover from any pain and swelling.
Engage in Simple Exercises
We recommend engaging in light physical activities, such as walking or gentle stretching exercises, to stimulate blood flow and muscle activity. The more blood flows through your body, the faster your healing process will be.
Eat Healthy Food
Maintaining a healthy diet is always important, regardless of whether you receive chiropractic treatment. But we especially encourage eating healthy food after a chiropractic session to help your body recover faster.
Eating lean protein, fruits, and vegetables gives your body plenty of vitamins and nutrients to speed up healing.
Hot and Cold Therapy
If you are experiencing swelling after an adjustment, we recommend taking a lukewarm shower and apply an ice pack to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling.
What Not to Do After Chiropractic Adjustment
Carry Heavy Objects
Since your body is still healing from the adjustment, avoid forcing yourself to carry heavy objects such as boxes and bags. Doing so may put unnecessary stress on your muscles and joints. At worst, you risk re-injuring yourself and causing even more pain.
Vigorous Exercise
Although moving after a chiropractic adjustment is recommended, avoid strenuous activities such as sports and weightlifting to let your body rest and recover. You can exercise again after a few days when your body has adjusted.
Prolonged Sitting
Sitting for long periods of time can negatively impact your posture and strain certain parts of your body, especially your shoulder, back, and neck. Practice good posture by sitting upright and taking a quick walk every 20 minutes.
Improve Your Overall Well-being with Chiropractic Adjustments
If you plan on seeking chiropractic care or have already booked your first appointment, remember these tips on what to do after a chiropractic adjustment to ensure you get the best treatment results in the long run.
Everyone responds to chiropractic adjustment differently, so it’s important to not only follow the do’s and don’t’s of chiropractic adjustment aftercare, but also listen to your chiropractor and follow their suggestions.
Want to learn more about chiropractic adjustment? Check out LifeClinic for more information.
