If you are new to chiropractic care and are not quite sure what to expect, then the idea of “feeling worse” after a visit to the chiropractor may leave you skeptical. However, what many people describe as “feeling worse” is actually the mild discomfort that comes with encouraging your spine and muscles into more healthy positions.
Reactions to chiropractic care vary from person to person and can also depend on how long they have been visiting a chiropractor and receiving adjustments. Here are a few things to expect when visiting a Marietta chiropractor:
Conversations with Your Chiropractor
Your chiropractor will explain what to anticipate before, during, and after the adjustment so you are completely comfortable and at ease with the entire process. It can be incredibly helpful to understand the perspective of your chiropractor and where they assess your body to be before the first adjustment and their treatment goals for the whole therapeutic process through the final adjustment.
A conversation with your Marietta chiropractor is also not a one-way street. It is important for you to share your expectations, express your concerns, and always feel comfortable to report back with anything that may not have felt quite right after an exam. For example, it can provide you with great relief when you explain any discomfort like a back pain you felt after a particular adjustment because the chiropractor can help explain why that particular muscle or area perhaps felt more soreness as the nearby vertebrae adjusted to being in their proper alignment.
Common Reactions to Adjustments
Some people express mild discomfort after their first few chiropractic adjustments as their body adjusts to this new normal of proper spinal alignment. Muscles that may have weakened or been used to supporting poor posture are now being asked to support the body in a new and more healthy way. Because of this, aching and soreness in spinal joints and muscles are common reactions to chiropractic adjustments.
As your body reacts to these positive changes occurring in the body, you might first find it to be uncomfortable. Similar to the feelings after working out, you can experience muscle soreness because they were stretched and used in new ways. In the example of poor posture, your muscles have grown used to supporting your back and neck in a way that is not as healthy or beneficial for your body. Marietta chiropractors use gentle and therapeutic adjustments to coax these muscles into supporting the spine in its proper positioning, which allows the spine to function at its fullest potential.
It is also important to note that not all reactions to chiropractic adjustments are uncomfortable or painful. Some people also report feeling happy and relieved when the pain they came in for is alleviated. Others report feeling exhilarated, which may be attributed to the spine and neurological system being able to better communicate with the body and taking pressure off of areas that were previously causing chronic discomfort.
Release of Toxins
It is not uncommon after a recent chiropractic adjustment to experience discomfort as toxins are released from the body. Through chiropractic adjustments and treatments, toxins are broken up and released, and the body rids itself of these toxins with a healthy immune response. Any illnesses you may have been carrying in your body are flushed out with these toxins and this can lead to responses like a runny nose or frequent bathroom breaks as your body expels these toxins.
Drinking a lot of water after a chiropractic adjustment can help support the body in flushing these toxins out of your body. This is very similar to if you have ever had a therapeutic massage where gentle hands have worked out knots in your back and expelled toxins, and the technician describes the importance of rehydrating and flushing toxins. Drinking lots of water will also help nourish the muscles and discs between vertebrae, keeping your spine, back, and neck muscles supple, flexible, and healthy.
New Healthy Habits
Many people new to chiropractic care are looking for quick relief for pain and discomfort that has likely built up over time and the body has learned to compensate and cope. You may find yourself feeling frustrated if you expect one chiropractic adjustment to fix your pain, but it is important to remember what your body is going through. Not unlike getting back into an exercise routine, your body may initially put up some resistance and be quite sore as it learns to break unhealthy habits and form newer, healthy ones.
As you experience chiropractic care and adjustments with a Marietta chiropractor, your body is learning to reset itself and your spine and muscles are realigning in a more positive and healthy way. Call Marietta Chiropractors at AICA Orthopedics to schedule an appointment and experience the restorative practice of chiropractic today.