One of the biggest complaints people have in going to a chiropractor is that they think they it may require frequent adjustments to reduce pain and feel their best. The truth is, chiropractors recommend the number of chiropractic adjustments your body needs to reach your health goal. Every person is different. Your treatment plan is completely personalized to help your body recover. However, there are a few things you can do to help your chiropractic adjustment last longer, stay strong between appointments, and reach your chiropractic treatment goals faster.
What To Do To Make Your Chiropractic Adjustments Stay Longer Between Visits
1. Choose a doctor you trust.
A chiropractor understands the importance of how all of the systems in your body affect one another. His or her goal is to help you address you get out of pain and develop a plan to help your body operate at its peak.
You want your doctor to be kind, competent, but also be able to connect you with other treatment options (like acupuncture) to optimize your health.
One way you can check these things is to ask for referrals and check reviews on sites like Google or Facebook to get an idea about what your experience may be with a doctor before visiting the office.
2. Plan your visit.
To get the most out of your chiropractic visits, plan your schedule to fit with your chiropractor’s recommendations and block your time accordingly. A good chiropractor will
- Ask how you’re feeling since your last visit and about your progress
- Find misalignments (subluxations) or other issues
- Educate you about what is going on with your body
- Provide a recommendation for your care
- Treat you while making any necessary adjustments to the plan
3. Drink plenty of water.
Drink water. Drink more water. Then, have another glass of water. Water is extremely important to allow your body to get rid of any toxins that were released during a chiropractic adjustment and helping your body heal. Drinking water can also help your body avoid toxic release symptoms after an adjustment like fatigue, headache, or tight muscles.
4. Stick with your treatment plan.
A medical doctor prescribes an antibiotic with a recommended dosage and frequency to help you recover from a bacterial infection. Similarly, chiropractors provide a recommended number of visits and frequency to help your body recover from an injury OR to help you reach a health goal.
Chiropractors generally recommend appointments closer together early on to help get to the root of the problem faster and the body is getting used to its new normal. The number of visits and frequency is then reduced as the body gets used to being in alignment.
Patients who do not follow their recommended schedule of care usually spend more time, money, and take longer to recover than other patients.
It seems like a backward approach, but sticking with a higher frequency of visits at the beginning the plan is one of the best ways to make your adjustment last longer and save more money long term.
5. Stay active.
Following the exercises recommended for you and staying active will help improve your muscle strength and flexibility. These are essential to helping support your skeletal system and keep your spine aligned.
6. Rock the Tape.
If you haven’t had kinesio tape (AKA K-tape or Rock Tape) yet, you need to ask about it at your next appointment. Kinesio tape is strategically placed on different muscles to limit the range of motion. This allows the muscle a little break, so it can heal. It can also help support the muscles for helping prevent injuries.
7. Ice your muscles.
We want to increase circulation and reduce inflammation. Placing an ice pack on the affected area helps do both. The increased circulation then removes toxins and delivers nutrients to the joints and muscles which helps your body heal faster.
Be sure to not put the ice directly on the affected area. Wrap an cold compress in a towel or thick plastic bag, so that you do not irritate the skin.
8. Soak in Epsom salt.
Epsom salt does two things to help your body after an adjustment:
- Remove toxins, like uric and lactic acid, by making you sweat
- Relax your muscles by restoring magnesium and sulfur within the body
The amount of Epsom salt you should take depends on your weight. However, an average recommendation for a bath is 2 cups of Epsom salt and to soak 12-20 minutes.
9. Swap out your shoes.
Your feet are the foundation for your ENTIRE body. You have probably already experienced wearing a new pair or uncomfortable pair of shoes before. It’s not only your feet that hurt; Your entire body hurts!
Many chiropractors, including our clinic, have a foot scanner and will fit you for custom orthotics. That way, your spine is supported in any shoe your orthotic is in.
10. Provide continuous feedback.
Healthcare is a collaboration between the doctor and patient. It is reliant on open and transparent communication. You should tell you doctor about
- Your health history
- Medications
- Diet and supplements
- If you’ve been injured or in an accident
- Any treatments that worked better than others
- Questions or concerns
Your physician will tweak your treatment plan or provide other recommendations to help you based on your treatment feedback.
11. Use correct posture and movement patterns.
Talk to your doctor about what you do every day. He or she will be able to show you the proper form to do daily activities and help prevent injuries. Some areas they may talk to you about are:
- Sitting straight
- Adjusting the size or position of your wallet
- Fixing your review mirror
- Changing your workstation set-up
- Swapping out your pillow or mattress
12. Get plenty of rest.
Your body needs plenty of sleep to recover from an injury and change into a healthier you. You should get an average of AT LEAST 8 hours per night. Don’t wait until Netflix asks, “Are you still watching this?” to go to bed. If you need to, set an alarm to remind yourself when it is time to go to sleep.
We as people expect instant gratification—even with our health. We want a quick fix that will make discomfort or pain go away. A solid foundation is needed for your body to sustainably reach your health goals and feel your best. How does that relate to chiropractic care? It’s a process. Your body is either recovering from an injury or potentially years of wear and tear. A chiropractor can help the body recover without drugs or surgery, but it takes a collaboration between the doctor and patient for it to be most effective.
At Loehr Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we can help match you to the chiropractor that is right for your specific health needs and develop an individualized treatment plan. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
