It can be frustrating when the pain relief you feel after a chiropractic appointment is only temporary. You may wonder if more appointments are needed or if a different therapy would work better. Everyone’s body reacts to chiropractic care differently, but your chiropractor understands the best treatment plan to help you reach your wellness goals. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make the relief you experience last longer between visits.

7 Tips for Making Chiropractic Adjustments Last Longer

Don't hesitate to ask your chiropractor for recommendations to naturally reduce pain between appointments. These seven tips can help keep your body relaxed and prevent muscles from tightening up again between chiropractic appointments. 

1. Allow Enough Time for Your First Visit With A Chiropractor

Your chiropractor may recommend a specific block of time for your appointment. If so, the recommendation will include time for resting, patient education or applying other therapies besides hands-on adjustment. In addition to manipulation your appointment could include:

• A discussion about your medical history and review your pain levels
• Finding subluxations and other issues
• Providing a plan of care
• Treatments (Manual adjustments, active relief technique, soft tissue manipulation, myofascial decompression)
• Education and follow-up with after-care recommendations (Traction Table) 

2. Drink Water

Sometimes it seems like the answer to every health question is to drink more water. However, it truly is important to get extra hydration after a visit to the chiropractor. Drinking water will help you avoid symptoms of toxic release such as headache, naseau, fatigue, or tight muscles.

3. Follow Your Treatment Plan

It is just as important to follow your chiropractor’s recommendations as it is to follow your medical doctor’s recommendations. If your chiropractor provides a plan that includes a certain number of visits and their frequency, it’s because that is what is best to promote your healing.

Early in your treatment, it is common to schedule appointments closer together. This way, the Chiropractor can get to the root of the problem faster. Once major issues have been addressed, the number and frequency of visits decline. As the body adjusts to being in alignment it doesn’t require as much attention as it did in the beginning.

4. Mind Your Posture

Many people rely on chiropractic care to help correct problems caused by poor posture or bad ergonomics at work. As you go about your daily activities remember to:

• Sit up straight
• Change your workstation as needed for proper body mechanics
• Adjust the rearview mirror of your vehicle to correct straining vision
• Adjust the size/position of your wallet or the weight and positioning of a bag/purse if you carry one

If your pillows are more than two years old or if your mattress is more than eight years old, it may be time to replace them.

5. Ice It, Heat It

You may know that both heat and ice are good for sore muscles, but when do you use ice and when do you use heat? An ice pack is recommended to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. During the first 48 hours after an injury or when you’re experiencing pain, cold is the answer. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap the cold compress in a towel to protect your skin from irritation. 

Heat is recommended to relax tight muscles. Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts is highly recommended. Epsom salts help to remove toxins, and they relax muscles by providing a dose of magnesium and sulfur through the skin. On average, 2 cups of Epsom salts in the bath is an appropriate amount.

If soaking isn’t practical, using a heating pad set on low is a good alternative.

Whether you are using hot or cold therapy, apply the method for 10 to 20 minutes every few hours.  

6. Tape It

If you’re not already familiar with its use, ask your chiropractor about Kinesio tape at your next visit. He or she can recommend where to place the tape to support weakened muscles and help prevent injuries.

7. Keep Moving

Following your chiropractor’s recommendations for exercise will help improve your flexibility and strengthen muscles that have been weakened from injury or disuse. Remember that more is not necessarily better, especially if you are recovering from an injury. The activities recommended by the chiropractor will be specifically chosen to offer your skeletal system optimal support and keep your spine aligned between appointments. 

Bonus Tip: Choose a Doctor You Trust for Chiropractic Care

Seeing the highly trained, compassionate professionals at Vida Integrated Health will ensure you get the most possible benefits from your chiropractic care. Your chiropractor will work with you to help get all the systems of your body working together in harmony. As part of our whole-body care, we encourage patients to discuss their progress or concerns about their health goals.