Going to the chiropractor is a bit like starting up a new exercise routine: strengthening your muscles, getting your heart rate up, and moving your body in new ways takes some getting used to before you master it. A new ab workout won’t give you a six-pack after the first try and going to a chiropractic clinic for chronic pain or an injury may not provide you with the instant relief and healing that you desire. However, as with exercise, going to the chiropractor regularly will help strengthen your body and learn healthier habits so you can begin to experience true change, improved function, and permanent pain relief. It is true that sometimes, you might feel worse after a visit to your chiropractor, but it’s not always for the reasons you think!
Common Experiences After a Chiropractic Adjustment
Here are a few common natural reactions to chiropractic care and what this means for your body and your health.
Sore Muscles
When you visit a chiropractic clinic, your chiropractor will use natural, non-invasive techniques to help identify any misalignments in your spine and gently restore them to their proper place. As the chiropractor adjusts your spine, your vertebrae are moving slightly and their surrounding muscles need to adapt. You may experience sore muscles as they either lengthen or shorten to accommodate the new, more optimal positioning. Many people also carry tension in their neck and back muscles, and a trip to the chiropractor helps to alleviate that stress and strain. Experiencing soreness after the chiropractor has much more to do with how your muscles are responding and getting used to a properly aligned spine and healthier functioning, so soreness can actually be a good sign that your body is adapting properly.
Cold Symptoms
If you’ve ever had a runny nose or a cough after visiting the chiropractor, then you might have thought that seemed really odd. But it is actually your immune system’s way of naturally flushing out whatever toxins you have in your body that may be causing you harm. Getting a chiropractic adjustment won’t actually give you a cold, but you might experience cold-like symptoms of a runny or stuffy nose or a cough as your body works to clear out what was already inside you. Sometimes, this may even mean you had a sickness coming on and getting an adjustment was a way to flush these toxins out faster, thus shortening the severity and length of any illness you would have had.
Digestive Changes
When you visit a chiropractor specifically for lower back concerns, it is possible to have some surprising digestive responses after an adjustment. Your spine does more than just support the structure of your body; it actually sends signals from your brain to places like your digestive tract. A misalignment in your spine can lead to interferences of these signals, which can cause you pain or exacerbate an injury. It can also cause a number of digestive struggles that can often be remedied with regular chiropractic care. A chiropractic adjustment helps to resolve any misalignments, allowing your brain to effectively communicate with your body again. If you struggle with constipation or IBS, you may notice more regular and healthier bowel movements after an adjustment now that the interferences are no longer causing irregularities in your digestion.
Continuing Chiropractic Care
Just like with exercise, continued visits to your chiropractic clinic will help your body to get used to being adjusted. As your spine and muscles get used to holding these healthier positions, they are able to do so for longer periods of time and you may notice a significant decrease in any soreness or other responses after an adjustment going forward. Once you start to experience significant relief from pain or healing from an injury, your chiropractor may recommend continuing with regular chiropractic care to help maintain these healthy habits and optimal body function. Going to the chiropractor is about more than just addressing your symptoms; instead, your chiropractor wants to find the root cause of your pain or injury and help you experience lasting relief and true health.
What to Do Before and After Your Appointment
If you are concerned about possible physical responses to a chiropractic adjustment, talk with your chiropractor about possible ways to minimize feeling worse. For example, your chiropractor may recommend healthy lifestyle considerations like drinking plenty of water before and after each appointment. Water helps keep you hydrated and will also help to flush out toxins that are released with the adjustment. Your chiropractor may also recommend diet changes to ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs.
At Alan Nathans Family Chiropractic clinic in Jacksonville, FL, our team of chiropractors is here to help you experience true pain relief and improve your overall health along the way. Call or visit us online to schedule an appointment and learn more about how our chiropractors can help you!
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