Chiropractic care, a holistic approach that primarily centers on spinal health and its connection to the nervous system, has expanded its scope to encompass the entire body’s anatomy and musculoskeletal system.
While chiropractors are adept at addressing various ailments beyond the spine, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential side effects associated with chiropractic adjustments. This article helps you get more information about chiropractic adjustment, its benefits, and how it’s done.
This drug-free method has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating musculoskeletal conditions, making it a primary choice for mechanical back pain treatment.
However, like any medical or therapeutic intervention, chiropractic adjustments can lead to their own set of risks.
In this article, we will explore the side effects linked to chiropractic adjustments, shedding light on what you should know about this practice.
Table of Contents
Medical Side Effects Definition
In medical conditions, a side effect is an unwanted symptom that occurs as a result of a medical treatment. This can include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, complementary and alternative therapies, and surgery.
Side effects can range from mild and temporary to severe and life-threatening. They can be caused by the way the treatment works, by the interaction of different treatments, or by the individual’s own body chemistry.
In the medical world, side effects are always discussed with the patient prior to them receiving a treatment.
In our office, we conduct a thorough assessment and interview to ensure you are not at risk for any major side effects before rendering treatment.
Mild side effects are also discussed with our patient and when the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risk of the side effects, treatments are provided.
In chiropractic, the benefit of being pain free and feeling better far outweighs the minimal side effects common with chiropractic care.
Therefore, many individuals choose to receive chiropractic and other manual therapy techniques as they feel much better after these treatments.
Chiropractic Care Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects of chiropractic care include:
Soreness or Discomfort 24-48 hours post treatment
Headache
Fatigue or Tiredness after treatment for 24-48 hours
Bruising at the side of the treatment
Chiro can also have some serious but extremely rare side effects as follows:
Herniated Disk
Stroke
Nerve Damage
However, chiropractic is a safe treatment option when performed by a trained and licensed chiropractor.
Important Tip: If ANYTIME you experience ANY SIDE EFFECTS after a chiropractic adjustment, it is SO IMPORTANT to talk to your chiropractor. They can help you determine if the side effects are serious and if you need medical attention.
Mild Aching or Soreness
This is the most common side effect, and it usually occurs in the area that the chiropractor may have worked on.
Chiropractic soreness or post-adjustment soreness typically arises due to the manipulation of the joints, muscles, and soft tissues during the adjustment process. The soreness is similar to what you might feel after engaging in a new or strenuous physical activity.
This discomfort can show itself in different ways, such as a dull ache, tenderness, or stiffness in the treated area. It usually emerges within a few hours or up to a day after the adjustment and may last for a few hours up to a couple of days.
In most cases, the discomfort is mild and manageable without requiring any specific treatment.
Headaches
Headaches can be a potential side effect of chiropractic care, although they are relatively uncommon. Some individuals may experience headaches after chiropractic adjustments or muscle release for various reasons:
High tension in muscles of their neck that were released
Post-treatment soreness that may lead to a headache
Being prone to headaches
It’s important to note that these headaches are usually short-lived and self-limiting and they typically resolve within a few hours to a couple of days.
Applying ice or heat packs, rest, and staying hydrated can help alleviate the discomfort.
However, if the headaches persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult with your chiropractor or healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.
Fatigue
Although it is not uncommon to feel fatigue or tiredness after a chiropractic session, there are a few possible reasons for this:
Inhibited nervous system
High stressed body
Release of toxins
Dehydrated body
A chiropractic adjustment in particular stimulates the nervous system. If the nervous system was under-stimulated or some nerves were inhibited, an adjustment may have an overall fatiguing effect on the body.
Furthermore, if the body is dehydrated or highly stressed, manual therapy techniques will release endorphins and other neurochemical that may cause tiredness, signaling your body that it needs rest for healing to occur.
Minor Swelling or Bruising
With any type of manual therapy that applies pressure to specific parts of the body, minor swelling and bruising may occur.
Bruising with adjustments is extremely uncommon, however, other massage techniques used by your chiropractor may cause some bruising on the site of the treatment.
Bruising is an indication of pressure applied to a specific spot of the body and is not necessarily associated with a negative outcome.
Similarly, bruising or red marks can occur after a cupping treatment done by your chiropractor. This is indicative of blood to the area which in fact stimulates healing and removal of undesirable chemicals stored under the skin and the muscles.
The bruising is usually mild and goes away on its own within a few days.
If you experience significant or concerning bruising after chiropractic treatment, it is recommended to contact your chiropractor for guidance. They can assess the situation, help you determine the cause of the bruising, and provide appropriate advice or refer you to a healthcare professional if necessary.
Why is it Important to See a Professional Chiropractor?
In order to receive professional and safe chiropractic care while reducing the treatment side effects and risks, it is important to do your research and find a qualified, licensed chiropractor with a high reputation.
Here are some tips for choosing a professional chiropractor:
Make sure the chiropractor is licensed by the province in which they practice and their license is in good standing by checking the website of the College of Chiropractors of BC.
Read about the chiropractor’s education and experience, continuing education courses they have engaged with and previous patient experience through testimonials and reviews.
Ask about the chiropractor’s philosophy of care, if they provide home rehab exercises and patient education.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the chiropractor and you have a good trusting relationship with them.
Fulcrum Therapy chiropractors are trained, experienced and licensed by the British Columbia Chiropractic Association (BCCHIRO) and would be glad to provide the highest quality chiropractic treatment for any condition or discomfort you may be experiencing.
Is it Normal to Bruise After Chiropractic Adjustment Session?
It's not uncommon to experience mild soreness or bruising after chiropractic adjustments. This can be due to the pressure applied to joints during treatment. However, severe or extensive bruising should be discussed with your chiropractor.
What Toxins Are Released After Chiropractic Adjustment?
Many mistakenly believe that chiropractic adjustments release toxins from the body, but there's no scientific proof of this.
Chiropractic adjustments mainly aim to improve joint mobility and alleviate musculoskeletal issues, and they do not expel toxins.
The idea of toxins being released during chiropractic adjustments is a myth. It's crucial to base healthcare decisions on accurate, evidence-based information.
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Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article about chiropractic care and its potential side effects.
Chiropractic Care and its Scope
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach that primarily focuses on spinal health and its connection to the nervous system. Over time, the scope of chiropractic care has expanded to encompass the entire body's anatomy and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors are skilled at addressing various ailments beyond the spine.
Potential Side Effects of Chiropractic Adjustments
While chiropractic care has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating musculoskeletal conditions, it's important to acknowledge that like any medical or therapeutic intervention, chiropractic adjustments can have their own set of risks and potential side effects.
The most common side effects of chiropractic care include:
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Soreness or Discomfort: It is common to experience mild soreness or discomfort in the area that the chiropractor may have worked on. This soreness typically arises due to the manipulation of joints, muscles, and soft tissues during the adjustment process. The discomfort is usually mild and manageable without requiring specific treatment .
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Headaches: Although relatively uncommon, some individuals may experience headaches after chiropractic adjustments or muscle release. These headaches are usually short-lived and self-limiting, resolving within a few hours to a couple of days. Applying ice or heat packs, rest, and staying hydrated can help alleviate the discomfort. If headaches persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult with your chiropractor or healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.
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Fatigue: Feeling fatigue or tiredness after a chiropractic session is not uncommon. This can be attributed to the stimulation of the nervous system during the adjustment. Additionally, if the body is dehydrated or highly stressed, manual therapy techniques used in chiropractic care may release endorphins and other neurochemicals that can cause tiredness. Rest is often recommended to allow the body to heal .
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Minor Swelling or Bruising: With any type of manual therapy that applies pressure to specific parts of the body, minor swelling and bruising may occur. Bruising with chiropractic adjustments is extremely uncommon, but other massage techniques used by chiropractors may cause some bruising. Bruising is usually mild and goes away on its own within a few days. If significant or concerning bruising occurs after chiropractic treatment, it is recommended to contact your chiropractor for guidance.
It's important to note that serious side effects associated with chiropractic care, such as herniated disks, stroke, or nerve damage, are extremely rare. Chiropractic care is generally considered safe when performed by a trained and licensed chiropractor.
Importance of Seeing a Professional Chiropractor
To ensure professional and safe chiropractic care while reducing the risks of side effects, it is important to do your research and find a qualified, licensed chiropractor with a good reputation. Here are some tips for choosing a professional chiropractor:
- Make sure the chiropractor is licensed by the relevant regulatory body in your area.
- Read about the chiropractor's education, experience, and any continuing education courses they have completed.
- Consider testimonials and reviews from previous patients to gauge their experience.
- Ask about the chiropractor's philosophy of care, including whether they provide home rehab exercises and patient education.
- Ensure you feel comfortable with the chiropractor and have a good trusting relationship with them.
By following these guidelines, you can find a professional chiropractor who can provide high-quality chiropractic treatment for any condition or discomfort you may be experiencing .
Debunking the Myth of Toxins Released During Chiropractic Adjustments
There is a common misconception that chiropractic adjustments release toxins from the body. However, there is no scientific proof to support this claim. Chiropractic adjustments primarily aim to improve joint mobility and alleviate musculoskeletal issues, and they do not expel toxins from the body. It's important to base healthcare decisions on accurate, evidence-based information.
In conclusion, chiropractic care is a holistic approach that can be effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions. While there are potential side effects associated with chiropractic adjustments, they are generally mild and manageable. It is important to consult with a professional chiropractor to ensure safe and effective treatment. Remember, if you experience any side effects after a chiropractic adjustment, it is important to communicate with your chiropractor for further evaluation and guidance.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
