Exercise after an adjustment can worsen body pain.
Image Credit: Steve Debenport/E+/GettyImages Chiropractic treatments are one of the most sought-after forms of alternative medicine. These treatments aim to help relieve back pain, readjust the spine, improve various body functions and help correct poor posture.
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Depending on your diagnosis, treatments can range from short routine adjustments to more long-term treatment plans. Each adjustment involves manipulations of the spine, tissues and muscles.
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Exercising immediately following treatment carries the risk of disrupting the work your chiropractor performed. On the other hand, regular exercise is generally a part of a chiropractic care plan. Always consult with a physician before starting a chiropractic care plan.
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Tip Exercising after seeing the chiropractor may or may not be a good idea, depending on your diagnosis. Talk with your chiropractor about your concerns.
Read more: Osteopath Vs. Chiropractor
Spinal Manipulation and Adjustments
Adjustments through spinal manipulation are at the core of the chiropractic profession. According to MedlinePlus, chiropractors believe that some health ailments are attributed to displaced spinal vertebrae. Other natural health methods are advocated by chiropractors, including regular exercise and a healthy diet.
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Effects of Treatment
The effects of spinal manipulation are often gradual. Chiropractors often advocate regular visits to gain the most benefits. Some patients seek adjustments in an effort to relieve pain caused by spinal deformations, accidents or poor posture. You may experience some pain after an adjustment due to the changes in your body. Engaging in the wrong types of exercise after a visit to the chiropractor may potentially worsen your pain.
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Read more: 6 Lower Back Pain Exercises to Ease Your Aching Muscles
Recommendations for Exercise
Exercise might be recommended by your chiropractor as a way to amplify your treatment and to strengthen the back. There are some precautionary measures to take, particularly right after you have an adjustment, because your body needs a chance to adapt to the treatment intervention.
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Working out right after a treatment can potentially undo the work that your chiropractor completed during the adjustment for tissues and muscles. There is a higher risk if you are recovering from an injury.
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However, performing the appropriate exercises after a chiropractic adjustment can improve treatment outcomes. According to a May 2014 article published by the journal Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, chiropractic adjustments combined with exercise was shown to be effective in the treatment of adolescents with low back pain.
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Consider Your Lifestyle
Regular exercise is a crucial part of any healthy living plan. In fact, chiropractors generally work with their patients to come up with an exercise plan that ties into treatment plans. Aim for some form of daily aerobic exercise, and choose lower impact activities that aren’t as likely to aggravate back pain. Swimming and moderate-paced walking are both examples of low impact activities. Stop exercising if you experience muscle pain. Weight loss and maintaining your weight are also preventative measures against back pain.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week to help maintain healthy weight.
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references
MedlinePlus: "Chiropractic Profession"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Healthy Weight"
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies: "Spinal Manipulation and Exercise for Low Back Pain in Adolescents: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial"
references
MedlinePlus: "Chiropractic Profession"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Healthy Weight"
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies: "Spinal Manipulation and Exercise for Low Back Pain in Adolescents: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial"
Exercise after an adjustment can worsen body pain.
Image Credit: Steve Debenport/E+/GettyImages
Image Credit: Steve Debenport/E+/GettyImages
Exercising after seeing the chiropractor may or may not be a good idea, depending on your diagnosis. Talk with your chiropractor about your concerns.
MedlinePlus: "Chiropractic Profession"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Healthy Weight"
Chiropractic and Manual Therapies: "Spinal Manipulation and Exercise for Low Back Pain in Adolescents: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial"
