Many myths circulate about chiropractic care — including debates on how safe it is, if it actually has positive outcomes, and the credibility of chiropractors themselves. Many of these fears are misplaced and unfounded. Chiropractors are professionals who go through rigorous training and education to get their license to practice, and many patients report feeling better almost immediately after an adjustment.
Chiropractic care has been studied for years, and results show that it is one of the safest forms of treatment for pain out there. However, when you first begin care, there are some side effects to look out for. Showing symptoms doesn’t mean the care isn’t working, but rather that your body just needs time to get accustomed to treatment.
Nausea
It is possible to feel somewhat nauseous after your first chiropractic appointments. Spinal and neck manipulations, which are adjustments made to the vertebrae to realign them and create an improved pathway for nerves, is the main culprit for this side effect. The reason for nausea has less to do with the actual adjustments and more to do with the position you lay in — on your stomach — while you receive treatment.
Toxic Release
While this might sound terrible, toxic release is actually a good thing. It happens during an adjustment when toxins that are trapped between joints are finally released. These toxins may cause symptoms that are similar to a cold or the flu, but they will diminish over time as you receive more treatment. It can be fairly common to have these symptoms after a manipulation, and you can rest assured that the unpleasant feelings will pass as your body rids itself of toxins during more sessions.
Headaches
Headaches are a normal reaction to chiropractic treatment. They may be more severe depending on the type of treatment and manipulations you receive. Everyone reacts differently to treatment, so don’t be surprised if this happens to you. If you continue to suffer from headaches, talk to a chiropractor, like a chiropractor from Lotus Wellness Center, about it to see what changes can be made in your treatment or if they recommend pain killers.
Dizziness
The point of chiropractic manipulation is to work your body back into alignment, which isn’t a passive task. Even though you might be laying on a table, your body will still be doing a lot of work, especially if it is releasing toxins. This can leave you tired and dizzy afterward, so it’s recommended that you always take some time to rest after each adjustment.