What to do after a chiropractic adjustment?

Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits, from pain relief to improved mobility and overall well-being. After a chiropractic adjustment at Southside Chiropractic & Car Injury Clinic, you should take some specific steps to optimize the benefits of your treatment and support your body’s healing process. In this blog post, we list steps on what to do after chiropractic adjustments to ensure you get the most out of your care.

Steps to Take After Your Chiropractic Adjustment

Follow Our Chiropractor’s Advice

Our Jacksonville chiropractor will provide you with post-adjustment instructions depending on your needs (such as spinal adjustments). These instructions may include recommendations on rest and exercises, why you should eat healthy foods, and ergonomic tips.

Schedule Follow-Up Appointments

To maintain and build upon the benefits of your initial adjustment, schedule regular follow-up appointments with our chiropractor. These visits help monitor your progress, address any lingering issues, and ensure your spine stays properly aligned.

Rest and Hydration

After your chiropractic adjustment, rest to give your muscles and joints a chance to heal and realign properly. Staying well-hydrated is also essential, as it aids in flushing out toxins released during the adjustment and promotes better circulation.

Ice Therapy

If you experience any mild soreness or discomfort after the adjustment, applying ice to the treated area can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Use a cloth or towel to protect your skin, and avoid applying ice directly to it.

Maintain Good Posture

To prolong the benefits of your chiropractic adjustment, practice correct posture throughout the day. Avoid slouching or sitting in one position for extended periods, as this can put unnecessary strain on your spine.

Light Exercise and Stretching

Engaging in light exercises and gentle stretching can be beneficial after a chiropractic adjustment. These activities help improve blood flow, flexibility, and muscle strength, enhancing the effects of your treatment.

Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to how your body responds after the chiropractic adjustment. It’s normal to feel some mild soreness or fatigue, especially during the first 24-48 hours. However, if you experience severe neck pain or any unusual symptoms, contact us immediately.

Incorporate Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Following massage therapy and other treatments, practice proper self-care to enhance your body’s natural ability and resilience. Eat lean proteins, and focus on maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and avoiding harmful habits.

What Should I Avoid After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Here’s a list of what not to do after a chiropractic adjustment:

• Strenuous Activities: Avoid engaging in strenuous physical activities, such as heavy lifting, intense workouts, or rigorous sports, immediately after your adjustment.
• Sitting for Prolonged Periods: Try to avoid prolonged sitting in one position for extended periods, as it can strain your spine and negate the effects of the adjustment.
• Twisting or Jerking Movements: After your adjustment, avoid sudden or jerking movements that can strain your spine. This will help prevent unnecessary twisting.
• Heavy Lifting: Refrain from lifting heavy objects immediately after your adjustment. If lifting is necessary, use proper body mechanics.
• Simultaneous Ice and Heat: While ice can be helpful for reducing inflammation after an adjustment, avoid using heat packs or taking hot showers immediately afterward.
• Ignoring Pain: If you experience severe pain or any unusual symptoms such as high blood pressure, it’s vital to inform our chiropractors promptly.
• Ignoring Post-Adjustment Instructions: Our chiropractor will provide you with specific post-adjustment instructions to reduce pain and strengthen your physical, mental, and emotional states. Keep your expert in chiropractic adjustment posted on your progress and follow their advice diligently throughout.
• Skipping Follow-Up Appointments: Chiropractic care is often most effective when received as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Skipping follow-up appointments may hinder your progress and limit the long-term benefits of chiropractic care.

How Do You Detox After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Chiropractors manipulate joints to provide pain relief, enabling correct alignment and improving flexibility. After a chiropractic adjustment, your body may go through a natural detoxification process as the treatment helps restore proper alignment and function to your musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Here are some general tips on how to support the detoxification process after a chiropractic adjustment:

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins from your body. Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and supports the elimination of waste through the urinary system.
• Gentle Exercise: Engage in light and gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, to improve circulation and lymphatic flow. But take proper rest as needed.
• Nutritious Diet: Focus on consuming a balanced and healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Also, focus on controlling your weight.
• Avoid Toxins: Minimize your exposure to environmental toxins and harmful substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, processed foods, and excessive caffeine.
• Get Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get enough restful sleep, as this is a crucial time for the body to repair and detoxify. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
• Regular Bowel Movements: Ensure regular bowel movements by consuming fiber-rich foods and staying hydrated. A healthy digestive system is vital for eliminating waste and toxins.
• Stay Active: While rest and a good night’s sleep are important, staying sedentary for long periods in the same position releases toxins.

For the best health benefits, right from the first chiropractic treatment (such as massage therapy or spinal decompression) to your final chiropractic visit, be proactive about improving your condition. Maintain the correct posture, attend every chiropractic appointment, and follow all instructions of your chiropractor.

What is the Best Way to Sleep After Chiropractic Adjustment?

The best way to sleep after a chiropractic adjustment is to maintain a position that supports your spine’s natural alignment and reduces stress on your musculoskeletal system. Avoid stomach sleeping as it can strain your neck and lower back and forces your spine into an unnatural position. Choose a pillow that properly supports your head, neck, and shoulders. Ensure your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched up while you sleep. Keep them comfortably positioned to avoid tension and discomfort.

Why Do You Have to Rest After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Resting after a chiropractic adjustment is essential for several reasons. When you receive a chiropractic adjustment, your spine undergoes realignment and manipulation, which can create changes in the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. Resting afterward allows your body to adapt to these changes and supports the healing process. Here are the reasons why rest is recommended after a chiropractic adjustment:

• Sufficient Healing Time
• Muscle Relaxation
• Inflammation Reduction
• Nervous System Integration
• Enhanced Treatment Outcomes
• Reduced Risk of Discomfort
• Improved Healing Rates

Our Caring Team Will Support You With Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic visits are a collaborative effort between you and your chiropractor. By actively participating in your recovery process, maintaining regular chiropractic appointments, and making positive lifestyle choices, you can experience the full potential of chiropractic care and enjoy a healthier, pain-free life.

As your dedicated Jacksonville, FL chiropractors, we at Southside Chiropractic & Car Accident Injury Clinic focus on car accident injury cases. With your healing process taking place from the first chiropractic appointment, keeping the spine straight, avoiding unhealthy foods, maintaining a healthy posture, and having a regular sleep pattern, recovery will happen fast.

By following these post-adjustment guidelines, you can enhance the benefits of your treatment, promote healing, and improve your overall well-being. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for our knowledgeable chiropractor’s recommendations. Call us at (904) 497-0823 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.