Chiropractors are trained allied health professionals who use various techniques – referred to as adjustments – to care for patients’ symptoms and overall health. People receive Chiropractic care to prioritise their health, wellbeing and ensure they can function optimally and live life to their fullest potential free from pain and suffering.
What is the purpose of adjustments?
First, we need to understand Chiropractic care and what an adjustment is. An adjustment is a technique used by Chiropractors to help improve movement and restore function. It is a skillfully applied force in a specific direction that encourages movement in a joint that is not moving as well as it should be naturally.
After your adjustment, you may feel loose and relaxed – but it is also normal to feel sore or tender later that day or the following day due to the fact that your body is adjusting to its new state of alignment. To prevent feeling sore or tender after an adjustment, there are some things you should and should not do following Chiropractic care.
Best things to do after a Chiropractic appointment
There are three key things you should do after your Chiropractic appointment:
1. Drink water
My top recommendation to all patients is to drink plenty of water over the 24 hours following your appointment. Water will help to hydrate your body and flush out any toxins and waste in your system. It will help your joints and muscles to relax and will ease your nervous system along with the Chiropractic care you have received.
2. Take a short walk
If you have been to one of our practices, you may have noticed our patients going for a short walk up the footpath or walking a lap of our car park after their appointments. Movement is key to maintain muscle and bone stability and functionality. I always advise people to go for a short walk before getting into their cars so their joints and tissues can settle and relax into the adjustments.
3. Relaxation
After your Chiropractic appointment, it’s important to provide your body with the right tools so it can remain functional and relaxed, free of stiffness and pain. I suggest incorporating some mindfulness or meditation activities into your daily routine to ensure your mind and body both stay relaxed and stress free. I highly recommend the mobile app Insight Timer for lots of short and long meditation sessions to pick from at any time of day.
What should you avoid after a Chiropractic appointment
There are always some things that we as Chiropractors recommend our patients avoid doing after their appointment:
1. Heavy workouts
A very common question patients ask is ‘can you workout after a Chiropractic adjustment?’. We always recommend patients to go about their normal daily routines, however heavy workouts do place lots of extra pressure and stress on the body and its muscles/joints. We advise patients to avoid undertaking heavy impact workouts straight after an adjustment and find to a suitable time among their gym or training sessions to come in for Chiropractic care.
2. Stomach/tummy sleeping
The position we sleep in is essential to ensure our body is nice and relaxed so we can get a full night’s rest. Checking how to sleep after a Chiropractic adjustment is important as it will help ensure your body can remain moving and functioning as well as possible after Chiropractic care. Tummy sleeping is the worst position you can sleep. This is because it places lots of additional pressure/strain on the joints and nerves throughout the spine and increases muscle tension in your back and neck. I recommend avoiding tummy sleeping and talk to your Chiropractic about some tips to help you sleep comfortably on your side or back.
3. Prolonged sitting
Although sometimes it can be hard to avoid with work and other commitments, it is recommended that after Chiropractic care you avoid prolonged sitting as much as possible. The reason for this is during your appointment, your Chiropractor has assessed your body and provided the required care to ensure there is reduced joint and muscle tension, so your body is able to function to its optimal potential. Prolonged sitting puts excessive pressure on your tissues and joints which causes muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and an increase in pain. Therefore, if you return to a prolonged sitting position straight after your adjustment, you are putting compression back on your joints and muscles, which will result in stiffness and pain returning faster.
Please note that this advice is generalised, and it is recommended that you follow the directions of your health care professional or Chiropractor. If you require further tailored advice, please contact us to book an appointment today.
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