It’s very common for people to leave their first chiropractic adjustment already feeling some relief. If this is the case for you, you may worry about how to maintain these feelings and not return to a state of pain. Because chiropractic care is about holistic wellness and not masking symptoms, some simple upkeep after an adjustment will help you maintain alignment and avoid injury in the future. This guide provides tips from a car accident chiropractor on what you can do at home to enhance the benefits of your adjustment.
Rest Your Body
Many people like to schedule treatments back to back, getting all of their medical care done at once. While this may sometimes be necessary, it’s important to give your body time to adjust to the changes that come from a chiropractic adjustment. If you are able to avoid medical treatments in the days after your adjustment, you can minimize the impact on your nervous system and improve outcomes.
It can also be good to clear your schedule in the hours following your adjustment. Immediately doing grueling work, sitting at a desk, or stressing out can counteract some of the positive effects. Instead, do something you find relaxing as you settle into the changes.
Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is always important, but after a chiropractic adjustment, it is even more critical to your health. Staying hydrated will help to nourish the soft discs that sit between the vertebrae, keeping your spine supple and flexible to help with alignment. A good rule is to drink about half of your body weight in ounces each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you would aim for 75 ounces of water per day to maintain a hydrated body.
Stay Active
If you’ve suffered an injury, you may not be able to exercise vigorously, and that’s okay. What’s important is to avoid being completely sedentary, as any motion in the spine helps your body settle into the adjustments made during your appointment and maintain alignment. Even 30 minutes or an hour of your day standing, stretching, and walking can help with this.
When possible, light exercise can strengthen your back and core muscles, helping the body to maintain balance. Yoga, brisk walking, and swimming are all great options.
Observe Your Posture
A single chiropractic adjustment is not going to correct any posture problems you have, but it’s a good time to pay attention to your posture and how you feel. Take time to check in with yourself using a simple checklist like this one for sitting:
- Is my body weight distributed evenly between my hips?
- Are my knees bent at a right angle?
- Are my knees even with or higher than my hips?
- Are my feet flat on the floor?
If you find the answer to these is no, adjust your chair height or workstation in order to make these things easier. You can rest your arms or elbows on a surface to keep the shoulders relaxed.
You may notice changes in this as time progresses after an adjustment.
Eat Healthy Foods
In addition to water, the food you take in can be critical after an adjustment. Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods will fuel your body and encourage healing. While treats can be great on occasion, focusing on protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables after an adjustment can further your health goals.
Keep Up with Adjustments
Chiropractic care is a continuous process, and if you go too long without another adjustment, you may notice some of the benefits waning. The more often you can go, the more your body will remain in alignment and prevent periods of pain, though there is no set schedule that works for everybody. Your chiropractor will help you determine the best frequency of visits to address your concerns.
Listen to Your Chiropractor’s Recommendations
Only your chiropractor knows the details of your spine, your body, and the treatment you need. They will give you specific recommendations for what to do after an adjustment that are specific to you. Anything they recommend you do or don’t do should be followed closely, and they will continue to monitor throughout your treatment and change these guidelines as necessary.
If you are in need of a car accident chiropractor, AICA Atlanta offers exceptional care. We will walk you through the exact steps needed for an adjustment and the home care following that adjustment, answering questions along the way. To get a personalized treatment plan, contact AICA Atlanta today for your first appointment.
