Are you looking for new activities to keep you busy before and after you have your chiropractic adjustment? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Whether it’s a massage, acupuncture, or simply taking a stroll in the park, this blog will help make sure your chiropractic visit is surrounded by plenty of rest and relaxation. So put on your walking shoes and let’s get started!
You should not eat before your adjustment
It is recommended to not eat a full meal before an adjustment. A small snack such as a piece of fruit is okay, but large meals can make the adjustment less effective. Eating a large meal could interfere with your body’s ability to absorb the adjustments, and uncomfortable bloating or gassiness during your session could be created. Additionally, lying flat on your back with a full stomach can cause more discomfort and make it hard to find the right positions for adjustments.
For this reason, it is best to wait at least one hour after eating before receiving an adjustment.
You should not drink coffee before your adjustment
It is advised to not drink coffee before your chiropractic adjustment as caffeine can cause interference with spinal realignment. Caffeine is known to increase tension and anxiety levels, making it difficult for your chiropractic adjustment to achieve its desired outcome. Additionally, caffeinated drinks can act as a diuretic, meaning that not only will they affect your muscles during the treatment, but they can also cause dehydration. Dehydration can lead to an increase in joint pain and stiffness.
It is suggested that you replace your cup of coffee with a glass of water one hour prior to your appointment. This will help ensure that your spine is properly hydrated and ready for the treatment. An additional source of liquid like juices or sports drinks may help further improve the effectiveness of the adjustment if needed.
Furthermore, avoid utilizing heating pads before the session since these could make your muscles tense up more than normal and require extra manipulation from the chiropractor during treatment in order to get relief from discomfort or pain.
You should not wear tight clothing
When you plan to go for a chiropractic adjustment, it is important to wear loose clothing that can be easily moved or rolled up as needed. Tight clothing such as jeans, tank tops and tight shirts can limit the range of movement of your body and make it difficult for the chiropractor to adjust your spine properly.
Instead, consider wearing something like a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt or even yoga pants. This will give your chiropractor easy access to areas that need adjustment.
You should not take over-the-counter pain medication before your adjustment
Before your chiropractic adjustment, it is important to make sure you are properly prepared for your session. Taking over-the-counter pain medications prior to a chiropractic adjustment can mask symptoms and sometimes interfere with the ability to accurately assess the condition of the spine. It is important to inform your doctor of any medications you are taking and refrain from using OTC pain medication until after your session. Additionally, you may be asked to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages, exercising vigorously, or engaging in strenuous activities in the hours prior to a chiropractic adjustment.
After a chiropractic session, it is important to note any post-adjustment sensations that may occur as this feedback can be helpful in steering an effective recovery plan. After an adjustment, it is best to follow up with some gentle stretching exercises as directed by your chiropractor and avoid sudden movements or activities that might strain injured tissues or withdrawn muscles. You may experience some mild discomfort following the adjustment due to natural tissue inflammation, so it might be helpful if you use cold treatments or over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or aspirin (depending on your doctor’s advice).
You should not exercise before your adjustment
It is important to note that you should not exercise right before your chiropractic adjustment. Doing so may make tissues too tight to be manipulated effectively and can even cause injury to both yourself and the chiropractor. In order to get the most out of your adjustment, it’s best to come in with a relaxed mind and body. If you are doing anything rigorous prior to your appointment, like going for a run or playing tennis, make sure it is done several hours in advance.
Before getting adjusted, it is generally a good idea to have some warm-up exercises or light stretching for about 5-10 minutes beforehand. This will loosen up your joints, muscles, and ligaments making them more pliable for manipulation by the chiropractor. During this time you should focus on breathing deeply as these take away any tension from areas that are currently problematic or may be worked on during the upcoming appointment.
It’s also helpful if you can:
- Journal any changes that you notice within your body before getting adjusted as well as afterward so that you can compare how each adjustment affects your health condition over time.
- Doing so will also help inform any modifications that need to be made by the chiropractor moving forward if they determine they need more aggressive treatment techniques with deeper manipulations of the joint tissues and extra stretches of postural muscle tissues.
You should not take a shower after your adjustment
It is not advised to take a shower after your chiropractic adjustment, as sudden changes in temperature can cause muscles to contract and constrict. Instead, you should get undressed slightly before your treatment, so that you don’t need to take a shower afterward. It is best to allow the body time to slowly cool down before taking a shower.
It is also important to stay away from strenuous activities such as weight lifting, running, or exercising for at least 24 hours after the adjustment, as this can set back the results of the adjustment. Try to avoid any jerky movements for 24-48 hours post-treatment and sit or stand in an upright position. Elevate your legs when possible or recline at about 45 degrees if lying down for long periods of time since this posture can be beneficial for reducing compression on the spine.
You should not take a nap after your adjustment
Adequate rest following an adjustment is necessary, however taking a nap immediately after can limit the natural processes that need to take place in your body to help the adjustment settle in. The amount of rest needed immediately following adjustment is based on each individual. Generally, 30 minutes of rest is recommended for most people.
Additionally, Chiropractors recommend that specific stretches and exercises may be beneficial after adjustments. Examples include active isolated stretching (AIS), targeted range of motion exercises or activities, low-impact cardio such as brisk walking or stationary cycling, and other active motions associated with your problem if it’s appropriate and comfortable.
In short, taking this time to allow your body to process and recover from the adjustment will produce long-lasting results while also helping you feel better overall.
You should not do any heavy lifting after your adjustment
It is important to give your body time to relax and adjust following a chiropractic adjustment, meaning avoiding strenuous activities for several hours afterward. Any exertion or rigorous activity can cause uneasiness or discomfort and can even lead to an injury or misalignment of the spine.
After a chiropractic adjustment, it is best to avoid doing any heavy lifting. If you must lift something heavy, make sure that your knees are bent while lifting and that your back is kept straight. It is also important to not twist your spine while lifting as this can cause further injury or misalignment.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to take it slowly, especially if you feel any pain after your adjustment, and take regular breaks in order to avoid straining yourself.
In addition, before getting a chiropractic adjustment you should prepare by:
- Wearing loose and comfortable clothing that won’t hinder the motion of the joints while being adjusted and provide clear access for the practitioner’s manual adjustments.
- Not eating too close before a session as eating immediately before or after may result in dizziness during or after an adjustment due to digestion-related shifts in blood flow throughout the body.
Conclusion
Making sure you’re properly prepared before and after your chiropractic adjustment is an important part of achieving optimal results. Taking a few moments before you see the chiropractor ensure that your body is warm and relaxed and after your visit to keep your body mobile and hydrated can make a big difference in how effective the adjustments are.
The list below comprises just a few of the potential activities you may want to do—and avoid—before and after appointments with the chiropractor:
- Warm up your body before an appointment
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid heavy meals before and after an appointment
- Gently move your body after an appointment
- Avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours after an appointment
Of course, it’s always important to follow any specific instructions that you’ve been given by your practitioner, either verbally or through written materials. Do what feels right for you and trust yourself!
