Chiropractic care is effective in restoring balance, alignment, and reducing pain. If you have decided to see a chiropractor, it’s a great step towards achieving health goals. However, your chiropractor is not solely responsible for your health improvement. You have to be vigilant in bettering your health and practicing proper self-care between chiropractic appointments. What you do next ensures how effective the treatment will be. Read on for valuable tips on what to do after a chiropractic adjustment.
What to Expect After Chiropractic Adjustment?
You may feel a big difference before and after the visit from the chiropractor. Your chiropractor removes subluxation in your spine, increasing the range of motion. In addition, the blood circulation increases in the affected areas as the chiropractor remove obstruction in the blood vessels. Consequently, promote the healing process.The chiropractor manipulates your spine and joints by applying controlled and precise pressure using their hands. These manipulations relax tightened muscles.
Moreover, you may feel soreness later. Nothing to worry about as it’s pretty normal.
7 Things You Should do Post Chiropractic Appointment
Let’s explore some to-dos after chiropractic appointments here!
#1 Drink Plenty of Water
Following the visit from the chiropractor, drink a lot of water. It will get you through what happens next.
When your spine, muscles, and bones are adjusted, your body releases toxins. Drinking plenty of water will expel these toxins from the body. If you fail to expel these toxins out, the pain will return.
It is generally suggested to drink 3.7 liters of water each day, and this recommendation is for men. On the other hand, women are advised to drink 2.7 liters of water.
Dehydration can lead to headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and more.
#2 Move
Staying active afterward is helpful as compared to rest for an extended period. Movement can induce blood flow, which can facilitate the healing process. Avoid sitting for a long time post chiropractic visit. You may go for light walks or a bike ride. These slight movements are good for holding the adjustment.
However, if you overdo it, the body can revert to where it was. Keep the alignment intact by avoiding any sudden movements or vigorous exercises. As your body is relearning to be in the correct position, ensure you maintain the proper posture while sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping.
#3 Do Stretching But Avoid Explosive Movements
Your chiropractor may have suggested specific exercises and stretches to assist you in strengthening and relaxing the affected muscles. These stretches and exercises may be slightly painful and challenging to continue. However, these exercises may help strengthen the core muscles, which relieve the pressure from your back and help in keeping the correct posture.
Stretches can relax the stiff muscles and increase the range of motion. Yoga may be an excellent choice to start. However, it is recommended you should avoid a workout immediately post-chiropractic adjustment. In addition, avoid exercise that involves jumping or moving weights. Give your skeletal system and joints time to heal and adapt, especially if you’ve neck or back pain.
The best practice is to ask your chiropractor to assist you with the prescribed exercises. These in-facility treatments can safely reduce pain and improve movements.
#4 Eat Healthy Foods
Whenever you are in pain or undergoing treatment and recovering, having nutrient-rich foods is a MUST thing. Nutrients provide means for your body to replenish and repair faster. Include white meat, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. In addition, you can increase the uptake of electrolytes by adding lemon juice to your water. These electrolytes keep the muscles healthy and functional.
On the other hand, eating unhealthy food can cause infection and inflammation, leading to increased pain.
#5 How to Sleep After Chiropractic Adjustment
Getting enough sleep is the basic requirement for the body’s proper functioning. Sleep enables the body to repair and heal. An unhealthy sleeping routine can impede the body’s ability to recover itself. Having chiropractic adjustment and getting enough sleep later can facilitate the body to realign. In addition, how you sleep is also important, especially when you are recovering from back pain.
Sleeping flat on the back will assist you in keeping your spine aligned along with the natural curve. Moreover, sleeping on a too soft or too thick mattress can risk your back. A mid-firm mattress has shown potential in maintaining good alignment during the nighttime hours.
#6 Ice or Heat Post Chiropractor’s Appointment
Having chiropractic adjustment can cause soreness and inflammation in the affected areas. You can use ice and heat therapy to improve the condition.
The medically-accepted general rule of thumb is to use ice packs in the case of acute injury and inflammation. Ice restricts blood flow and reduces pain and swelling. Apply the ice packs for 20 minutes, multiple times a day.
Apply heat when the swelling has receded. Heat can aid in healing and relaxing the stiff muscles.
#7 What NOT to do Following Chiropractor’s Visit
It is essential to avoid such practices post chiropractic care that may revert your body to the previous condition. Avoid prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, and sleeping with poor posture.
FAQs
Is it normal to feel tingling, numbness, and pain post-chiropractic adjustment?
After spinal manipulation, you may experience tingling, numbing, and even pain in the muscles or affected area. These sensations are the signs that your body is recovering. You may feel more pain in the back and hip areas before you begin to feel better when you have a chiropractic adjustment. However, it is very common and should be expected. This aching and soreness go away within 24 hours.
Stay calm if you are experiencing these sensations. Continue the follow-ups with your chiropractor and share your symptoms.
Is getting adjusted by a chiropractor safe?
When done by someone who is certified and has a license, the chiropractic adjustment is considered safe with minimum health risks.
Wrap Up
Taking measures for your health means going for different options, such as scheduling your first chiropractic appointment. However, if you don’t maintain proper self-care in and out of the chiropractor’s office, you won’t be able to free yourself from pain.
Follow these tips in between chiropractic sessions, amplifying the health benefits.