Many people seek the services of a chiropractor to help alleviate pain in certain areas of the body, like the neck, back, head, or joints. When you are aiming to treat your pain, you certainly do not want treatments that will increase that pain in any way. You might be nervous about seeking chiropractic care, wondering if the treatments will hurt. Fortunately, the answer is, “not usually.” Here are a few considerations that might help to ease your worries.
What Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A spinal adjustment is far from the first step in chiropractic care. Before any sort of treatment, a licensed chiropractor will review your full medical history, taking careful note of any previous treatment for your symptoms and any underlying health conditions. Your chiropractor will likely perform some non-invasive tests to assess your condition, range of motion, muscle strength, and reflexes. They may also collect x-rays of your spine or prescribe other diagnostic tests.
When it is time for your first adjustment, the chiropractor will direct you to place your body in the optimal position for the adjustment—sometimes lying face down, sitting in a certain position, or even standing. Then the chiropractor will use their hands or a specialized tool to apply brief, controlled force to a specific area of your spine.
Chiropractors undergo years of training and more than 4,200 hours of clinical and classroom experience to learn how to deliver these adjustments efficiently, safely, and with as little discomfort to the patient as possible. By adjusting the joints that may be causing discomfort, your chiropractor can relieve pressure and restore your movement.
How Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Feel?
Most of the time, a patient experiences a chiropractic adjustment as a quick application of pressure, sometimes followed by a popping sound. The pop is nothing to fear. When the adjustment stretches your joints, a combination of gasses escapes from air pockets, causing the sound. Sometimes this pop is associated with an immediate decrease in pain.
What Should I Expect After the Adjustment?
After a chiropractic adjustment, you will often feel immediate relief, and sometimes a warm or tingling sensation in your body due to a release of endorphins. Sometimes you may feel a slight soreness for a day or so, which can often be relieved with ice and stretching. Many patients compare this soreness to how you might feel after a workout at the gym. More serious side effects are very rare. If you experience pain that lasts longer than 24-48 hours, consult your chiropractor for advice.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, arrange a consultation with a licensed chiropractor from The Lotus Wellness Center, who can design a personalized treatment plan to get your body back on track.
