How to Maximize Your Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic adjustments are a non-invasive pain management solution that helps improve mobility. While you can return home or go back to work after an appointment, it’s important to stay attuned to your body to maximize the results and limit the risk of misalignment. Learn what to do after a chiropractic adjustment to boost its effectiveness beyond your visit.

Stay Hydrated

If you’ve heard about drinking more water after a massage, the same approach applies to chiropractic care! Your chiropractor has manipulated muscles and joints, freeing up your nervous system and releasing toxins in the process.

Water facilitates healing by flushing out these toxins that contribute to pain and tension, while keeping your joints lubricated. We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water a day. Also avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol, which can increase inflammation and may lead to dehydration.

Get Active

While returning to a high-intensity exercise routine is not advised just yet, light to moderate movement helps oxygen-rich blood flow through your body as it heals.

To make sure you’re on the right track:

• Discuss your workout routine with your chiropractor to determine what you should and should not do after the appointment.
• Do not exercise immediately afterwards; hold off for at least a couple of hours.
• Heavy weight-bearing exercises and activities with intense movements like jumping may not be recommended for up to a week after treatment. Ask your chiropractor when you should return to your routine and if you should make any changes.
• Ideal exercises following an adjustment include swimming, walking or bike riding.
• Practice any exercises your chiropractor has prescribed. These routines encourage healing, injury recovery and focus on improving your movement and flexibility.

Limit Sitting

Along with movement to improve your circulation, avoid sitting for prolonged periods. These habits often reinforce poor posture and can negate the effects of your appointment.

To keep from sitting for hours at a time:

• Be mindful of your posture when sitting. Keep your shoulders back, feet on the floor and elbows at your sides.
• If you sit at a desk, stand up and move at least every hour to keep your blood flowing and muscles moving.
• During your breaks, go for a short walk or find a place where you can stretch or do your chiropractic exercises.

Listen to Your Body

Expect your body to feel different after a chiropractic adjustment while it reroutes nerve signals and heals. Although some soreness, coolness or tingling is to be expected, notify your chiropractor if the tingling intensifies or you have questions about your symptoms.

Focus on Lifestyle

You can help your body restore itself following a chiropractic adjustment by:

• Watching what you eat. Consume nutrient-rich, hydrating foods instead of fats and carbohydrates, which can increase inflammation. Center your diet around fruits, vegetables, fiber and protein.
• Getting enough sleep. Make sure you get seven to eight hours of rest each night.

Considering chiropractic care to address your overall health? Make an appointment with The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury today!