Making the decision to see a chiropractor is a great step towards better movement and health. Taking this step starts you on the path to restoring balance, alignment and eliminating chronic pain. But achieving your health goals does not solely fall on the shoulders of your chiropractor. You must be an active partner in bettering your health, and practice proper self-care between chiropractic appointments in New Buffalo. After your adjustment you may feel amazing, as range of motion is improved, circulation begins to be restored to affected areas, and your muscles begin to relax. You might also experience some tenderness, as your body begins to move into the correct positions. Either is normal, but it is what you do next that can really play into how effective your adjustment is. Read on for tips on what to do after your chiropractic adjustment.
Drink Plenty of Water
When you receive a chiropractic adjustment, your muscles and bones are moved and stimulated. This results in the body releasing toxins—the same thing happens after a massage. To flush these toxins from the body, you want to drink a large glass of water immediately following your adjustment. Your body is made up largely of water, and it uses this water to cushion joints, carry nourishment to cells, and flush the metabolic byproducts that occur after an adjustment. Keep drinking more water than normal for several days after your adjustment, to keep your body healthy and properly functioning. Drinking more water is important after an adjustment, but it is also a great habit to get into as part of your daily routine. Dehydration can lead to headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness, and more, so drink more water to stay healthy!
Keep Moving
After your adjustment, you don’t want your body to immediately revert to the same position it was in. Avoid sitting for long periods of time after seeing the chiropractor, if possible, and enjoy the mobility that your adjustment has created by going for a long walk, or take a bike ride. If you are headed back to work and have the option of a standing desk—utilize it! Anything you can do to keep your body moving will help the adjustment to hold and prevent your body from immediately reverting back into a bad position. Great health involves mobility and movement, and keeping active after an adjustment is part of the healing process. Other low-impact exercises to consider include yoga, swimming, pilates, or tai chi. All of these can help shorten your recovery time and boost the good effects of your chiropractic adjustment.
Move Carefully
Yes, you want to stay active after an adjustment, but you also don’t want to overdo it. When the body is moved into proper alignment, the tendency can be for it to revert back to where it was. Keep this alignment intact by not doing any quick or jerky movements following your adjustment, and not doing any heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Because your body needs to relearn how to be in the correct position, be mindful of your movements for the next day or so. Evaluate how you are sitting in your car—is your back straight? Check yourself when you are at the office, and try to find a position at your desk that supports correct posture. Watch how you lift heavier objects, and make sure to use your legs to assist your back. Once your body is put into the correct position, you will be able to feel the difference, and hopefully evaluate your daily positions to ensure that you create new, healthy postures and movements.
Do Your Exercises
If you have a specific injury you are recovering from that you have sought chiropractic for, your chiropractor can help you with exercises that will assist in strengthening and healing the affected area. The important thing here is to actually DO them, not just return home with a piece of paper outlining them. These exercises may be slightly uncomfortable, or might not feel like they are doing anything, but to truly partner with your chiropractor you have to take their advice both in and out of the office. The movements you do through exercise can help to strengthen muscles that may be unbalanced, speed healing, and reduce pain. Take any exercises you are given seriously, and you will reap the benefits. If you are not doing your exercises, and feel that chiropractic is not working for you, you are missing out on a huge piece of your recovery.
Rest
Everyday, not just after an adjustment, you should aim to get enough sleep. During sleep our bodies are able to repair and heal, and if you are not getting enough rest you are impeding your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Especially following an adjustment, getting a good amount of sleep can be incredibly important and can help your body realign. Getting enough sleep is a huge part of being healthy, and not enough sleep can result in memory loss, weakness, fatigue, depression, and more. You should also look evaluate the mattress and pillow you are using. Sleeping on too soft of a mattress or too thick of a pillow can put your body in a bad position, and since we spend so much of our lives sleeping, this has a huge impact on your overall health. A firm mattress can keep your spine straight, and an appropriate pillow will keep your neck and spine aligned. Ask your chiropractor for recommendations on how to maintain good alignment during the nighttime hours. Get a good night’s sleep and indulge in the occasional nap!
Follow the Plan
Your chiropractor will come up with a treatment plan that matches your body’s specific needs. To get the full benefits of chiropractic, you need to follow this plan and take it seriously. Even if you feel better after one adjustment, keeping up with your appointments will help you to prevent re-injury and keep your body in the correct alignment. Most of us go years with incorrect posture and even pain before we seek chiropractic care, and just one visit is not usually enough to counteract years of improper alignment. Your chiropractor wants to ensure that your mobility and alignment stay correct into the future. So keep your appointments, and follow your treatment plan to get the full benefits of chiropractic.
Taking charge of your health means utilizing resources, such as chiropractic, to help. But it also means being an active participant, and being mindful of your body both in and out of the chiropractor’s office. At Corrective Chiropractic, we want to partner with you to help you recover from injuries, regain mobility and free yourself from chronic pain. Utilize these tips in between appointments to get the most out of your chiropractic visits, and to really maximize the benefits. If you need a chiropractor in New Buffalo, call us today to get started!
