We’ve all seen the videos where a chiropractor yanks on a patient’s head, twists their spine, or pulls from their neck. It always ends in a loud crack or pop, and can be a bit intimidating when we are considering whether we need, or want, an adjustment for ourselves. Rest assured that there is always a reason for adjustments and that they can help your overall health in the long run. Adjustments are done by trained chiropractors that will take your gender, size, and day to day routine into consideration. The adjustment appointments may differ depending on if you are there for a routine adjustment or if there is already a painful part of your spine you are hoping to get corrected. Your chiropractor will discuss a plan and you’ll know the details of what to expect during your next adjustment before you start.
What should you expect during your chiropractic adjustment?
The point of adjustments is to realign points in your spine that have been misaligned due to injury, poor posture, exercise, and normal day to day movements. The chiropractor will have you lay on the table and from there they may twist, push, and pull on you in order to get everything properly placed again. These adjustments are generally not painful and tend to take anywhere between thirty to forty minutes. People report that they usually feel better after just the first adjustment, and this is usually why people make them routine.
Adjustments for more involved reasons, such as injuries, may require a series of appointments before the full benefits are met. If this is part of an injury plan, ask what to expect during your next adjustments, seek information, and talk with your chiropractor during your first visit to help you understand how these appointments will help with your recovery and health.
What should you do after a chiropractic adjustment?
Like a massage, toxins are released during adjustments as your muscles and joints are moved around. Some of the best things you can do after adjustments is to drink a large glass of water, drink hot green tea, or go to a sauna. All of these will help flush everything out and help you feel great. Toxin release can also last up to a couple of days, so be conscious of continuing to try and flush out those unwanted toxins for the rest of the week to try and gain the maximum benefits.
How often should you get routine adjustments?
Depending on the plan, its possible the first set of adjustments may need to happen within the same week. Your body will start to heal, and as it does this the treatments will gradually start to spread out to only once a week or bi-weekly. If you started the adjustments for a treatment plan, you may be reduced to once or twice a month. If you haven’t, your chiropractor will once again take into consideration he issues and your daily life to decide how often you may need an adjustment to keep you feeling great.
Can you get an adjustment if you are pregnant?
Adjustments during pregnancy can be perfectly safe. Of course, before going to the chiropractor, you should always discuss the option with your OB. They will be the ones who know you and your pregnancy the best. If you are high risk, have had bleeding, or have preeclampsia, it’s possible that it will not be recommended for you. However, if you are able to, adjustments during pregnancy can be highly beneficial for your back and hips. As the baby grows, a woman’s center of gravity is changed, and thusly they start carrying the weight differently. Pain in the lower back, hips, and other joints can be alleviated with an adjustment. This can also help center your hips and give the baby more space as pregnancy progresses.
