Is Soreness After Chiropractic Adjustments Normal?
There are a lot of people who visit chiropractors regularly and are used to chiropractic adjustments, there are also many people who have never gotten an adjustment and might be confused as to what to expect. Different people will have different experiences when visiting a chiropractor for the first time, but if you are experiencing some soreness after chiropractic adjustment, it is important to understand that it is normal. At RxWellness in Arlington, Clarendon, our doctors take care to ensure that each patient has a pleasant and beneficial experience whether it is their first time receiving a chiropractic adjustment or their fortieth.
What Happens During An Adjustment
When you arrive at RxWellness Arlington, Clarendon location for your appointment, you will consult with the chiropractor before anything is recommended. During the consultation, you will explain the reason for your visit, whether for injury or maintenance, and your doctor will outline expectations. There will also be an examination, which may include x-rays or physical tests.
If the doctor recommends an adjustment, then they will have you lie on the adjustment table and then apply pressure to specific areas of your spine. When the pressure is applied, you may hear a crack, this is normal. Depending on your chiropractor’s recommendations, there might also be some twisting or pulling. You might also be asked to turn over so your neck or hips can be adjusted as well.
What Happens to the Nerves
Misaligned vertebrae or subluxations may compress the nerves that pass through the spinal cord. This can make it very difficult for them to effectively communicate with various organs in the body. For example, if you suffer from digestive issues, then regular adjustments targeting the middle back can positively stimulate the nerves in the digestive tract, promoting better digestion and less gastrointestinal issues. This means that regular chiropractic adjustments allow the nervous system to communicate with the other systems of the body in an optimal way.
What Happens to the Muscles
Sometimes when we practice bad habits, the muscles in our bodies adjust to compensate for them. For example, poor posture can pull on your muscles and develop painful triggers or knots. The muscle may be uncomfortably shortened or lengthened for a prolonged period of time. When the chiropractor adjusts the spine and the bones move back into their proper place it will cause the muscles to shift and make room for the adjusted position.
Why Some People May Experience Soreness
The purpose of an adjustment is to realign your spine so that your vertebrae are in their correct position. When the chiropractor pushes the bones back into their correct position, the back muscles around them may shorten or lengthen in response to the movement. This may cause the muscles to release tension, resulting in some soreness. The soreness is similar to the soreness you might experience after getting a deep tissue massage or going to the gym. It is important to remember that the sensation you are feeling is the result of your muscles changing position, and not your bones being moved. Just remember that soreness after chiropractic adjustments are normal and they get less common the more adjustments you have. However, if you are concerned then you should contact your doctor.
Muscle Type: Skeletal muscle — Cross section through a muscle with visible muscle fibers – 3D Rendering
What to Expect From RxWellness
The goal of chiropractic care is to help patients remain pain-free through a drug-free approach. This is why it is extremely important that each patient understands the benefits of a chiropractic adjustment before completing one. At RxWellness Arlington, Clarendon, the doctors will ensure that you understand every aspect of your adjustment before moving on, and you are always encouraged to ask questions if anything is ever unclear.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, the RxWellness Arlington, Clarendon will be able to help you feel more comfortable. Some of the areas we treat are:
- Back
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Wrist
- Hips
- Knees
Consider consulting with the RxWellness Chiropractors and see how you could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment. They will walk you through the entire process and explain that any soreness after your chiropractic adjustment is part of the process.
Contact Us
If you just left the doctor’s office and are feeling some soreness after your chiropractic adjustment, just remember that this is normal. Especially, if you have never had an adjustment before or in a while. Various lifestyle habits can cause your body to adapt to some negative posturing, however, an adjustment attempts to correct some of those habits. A chiropractic adjustment encourages the body to change the way it has been positioned, and that can cause some soreness. If you are in the Arlington, Clarendon area and need to schedule an adjustment then consider consulting with the doctors at RxWellness. If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, you can give us a call at 1+(703) 904 9666 or book an appointment online.