How to relieve pain after a chiropractic adjustment

If you are sore after a chiropractor visit, it is very common. Part of the healing process of improving your range of motion and lessening your pain in the longer term might cause soreness in the short term. Post adjustment soreness after the first couple adjustments is completely normal and is a sign that your chiropractor was working in the exact place that is causing your problem.

Often times your spinal bones have not moved normally in many years. After a trip to the chiropractor, your range of motion will improve. In the beginning this is temporary. Because the segments of your spine will move differently after an adjustment and your range of motion will improve, your muscles will contract and relax differently. A chiropractic adjustment is as if you had a giant workout and while it can feel painful, it also means your body is responding to the treatment. It can be uncomfortable and may affect your daily activities for 24 hours or so depending on how long that part of your spine has been a problem. There are ways to manage soreness and discomfort after a chiropractic adjustment. As a chiropractor in Plymouth for 26 years, I have definitely had experience with this.

1. Stay Hydrated: Your body is sore after the chiropractor for multiple reasons but one of those reasons is the release of toxins from your muscles and soft tissues. These toxins need to be flushed out of your system in order for your body to heal properly. Drinking plenty of water just like you would after a deep tissue massage will help with this process by keeping you hydrated and aiding in the detoxification process.

2. Apply Ice or Heat: Depending on the type of pain or discomfort you are experiencing, applying ice or heat can provide relief. If you feel soreness or inflammation around the treated area, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every few hours. This will help reduce swelling and numb any pain sensations. On the other hand, if you have tight muscles or stiffness, taking a hot bath or shower can help relax your muscles and improve blood flow.

3. Gentle Stretching: Doing gentle stretches can actually alleviate soreness and reduce pain after a chiropractic adjustment as well as improve your range of motion. This helps loosen up any tension in your muscles that may have been aggravated during the treatment process.

4. Go back: Sometimes the soreness that comes after an adjustment can make a patient nervous. Most of the time it is like the soreness you get after you workout for the first time in a long time. The best cure when you are sore after a workout is to workout again, just like getting adjusted again. Clearly the chiropractic adjusted you in the proper place if your body reacted to that extent. It is part of the treatment process. By working with your chiropractor you will improve your range of motion, reduce pain and cause long term improvement.

Looking for a Plymouth chiropractic office? Our expert Plymouth chiropractor provides personalized care to relieve pain and improve your wellness, right in the heart of Plymouth, MN.

Voted "Best Chiropractic Clinic in Plymouth" Sun Newspapers Readers Choice Awards