7 Things You Should Do After Every Chiropractor Appointment

Considering getting your first adjustment? Or have you already scheduled a chiropractor appointment?

If so, you might be wondering what you should do after the appointment is over.

The benefits of seeing a chiropractor are substantial. But doing the right things (and avoiding certain things as well) can help you receive the most benefits from your appointment.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 things you should do after your Lexington chiropractic adjustment!

1. Hydrate

After your first chiropractor appointment, it’s important to drink a lot of water. This may seem strange, but it won’t once you consider what happens when you get an adjustment.

Chiropractors manipulate joints, muscles, and bones to provide pain relief and other health benefits. When these things are changed, there is often a release of toxins by the body.

Drinking plenty of water helps flush out these toxins, allowing your body to heal. If you don’t hydrate, those toxins could settle back in and the pain might return.

This is generally one of the first pieces of chiropractor advice you will receive when you go in. Current hydration guidelines for men are to drink 125 ounces of water each day; for women, it’s about 91 ounces.

2. Move, But Don’t Exercise Vigorously

Some light movement can help stimulate blood flow, increasing the amount of oxygenated blood that flows through your body. This can help assist or expedite the healing process that starts when you get an adjustment.

A walk, a light swim, or a light bike ride could all be good ways to move. You don’t want to overdo it, though. Avoiding vigorous exercise (especially weight lifting in compromising positions) is a good idea.

Speak to your chiropractor for guidelines on this. They may ask you to take a couple of hours off before exercising or may suggest you wait a day or two. It really depends on your background, level of fitness, and the type of treatment you’re receiving.

3. Avoid Explosive Movements

Explosive exercises, such as those where you jump or move weights with plyometric force (a power clean or kettlebell swing) are also good to avoid.

Your chiropractor appointment might make these movements feel easier or remove the pain. But it’s a good idea to let your body rest and recover for a bit before you start performing athletic movements again.

After some regular treatment, this may not be as big a deal. Many athletes get chiropractic adjustments before games.

But at first, it’s a good idea to give your joints and skeletal system time to adapt. Especially if you’re being treated for neck or back pain. Loading the skeletal system with explosive force could be asking for trouble.

4. Add Chiropractor Exercises to Your Routine

If you’re wondering, “Should I see a chiropractor?”, you also might be wondering exactly what a chiro does. Many know that they manipulate joints by cracking them, but that’s not always it.

Depending on what’s bothering you, your chiropractor also might prescribe exercises or movement routines for you to follow. These, combined with in-facility treatment, can help alleviate pain in common areas like the neck or back.

Ask your chiropractor if they have exercises in mind or any resources you might follow—especially if your goal is to heal an injury or reduce pain in a certain time frame.

5. Eat Healthy Foods

This next one’s a good rule to follow regardless of when you have a chiropractor appointment. But, eating healthy, nutrient-dense foods after your adjustment (and avoiding fatty, unhealthy foods) is beneficial for your recovery.

Giving your body the nutrients it needs helps to replenish and repair you faster. On the other hand, eating unhealthy foods can promote inflammation in the body which might actually increase pain. (Inflammation is also linked to many of the common diseases that kill Americans.)

Eat lean proteins, micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and plenty of fiber. You will notice a difference!

6. Pay Attention to Your Body

As a new chiropractic patient, it’s not uncommon to feel some strange sensations after treatment. After all, your body is adjusting to new stimuli.

These sensations often have to do with the healing process taking place. In some cases, an adjustment could lead to some tingling or cooling sensations in the muscles or affected area. This is typically not a bad thing, but since tingling refers to your nerves, it’s a good idea to pay attention.

Take it easy if you notice anything is off. Be sure to follow up with your chiropractor. Part of their job is to make patients feel safe, and that includes emotions.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your treatment or the symptoms you’re experiencing.

7. Avoid Prolonged Sitting

The majority of people sit for several hours each day. This wreaks havoc on our posture and can put us on the chiropractor bench in the first place.

Try to avoid prolonged sitting right after an adjustment. Focus on sitting upright with good posture. Pull your shoulders back, sit with your heels on the floor, and keep your elbows tight to your side.

Not for nothing, making good posture a habit will actually have benefits all the time. It might be worth trying to make this a regular practice for yourself.

What to Do After a Chiropractor Appointment

Whether you’ve already scheduled your first chiropractor appointment or you’re considering it, there are some things you should do after your adjustment.

Hydration and eating healthy foods are great for promoting healing. Avoiding strenuous movements or putting yourself in compromising positions allows the area to heal and decreases your risk of exacerbating symptoms.