Can I Exercise After Seeing A Chiropractor?

Is It A Good Idea To Exercise Immediately After Chiropractic Treatment?

Exercising immediately after a chiropractic treatment carries the risk of disrupting the work your chiropractor has performed. On the other hand, your chiropractor will more often than not recommend regular exercise as part of their treatment plan.

Chiropractic care is becoming the most sought-after form of alternative medicine.

People are tired of the side-effects of prescription medication and "reactive" treatments.

They don't want to only mask the symptoms; they want to treat the cause of those symptoms.

Chiropractic care does all of that, while painkillers and surgeries only mask symptoms and are reactive treatments instead of proactive.

Chiropractic care can reduce pain, align your spine, improve several body functions, improve your posture, treat and prevent headaches, relieve stress...the list goes on and on.

Depending on what you're treating, your sessions may consist of short, routine adjustments, or they could be long-term treatment plans.

Each adjustment involves manipulations of the spine, tissues, and muscles.

Many people that seek out chiropractic care are already very health-conscious and take great care of their bodies.

They eat well, exercise, and are very mindful of their overall well-being.

Chiropractic care is just another part of making sure they get to reap the benefits of optimal health.

Many of those people usually plan on going to the gym or exercising at some point after their appointment with their chiropractor, but is that safe?

Exercising immediately after treatment carries the risk of disrupting the work you just received.

On the other hand, your chiropractor will more often than not recommend regular exercise as part of their treatment plan.

You should always speak with your doctor about exercising after your appointment, but in the article below, we will discuss whether or not you should exercise after a chiropractic appointment.

Table of Contents

• Spinal Manipulations and Adjustments

• Exercise Recommendations

• Consider Your Lifestyle

• Talk To Your Chiropractor

Spinal Manipulations and Adjustments

Adjustments through spinal manipulations are what make up the core of chiropractic medicine.

Many chiropractors believe that many health problems are due to displaced spinal vertebrae.

Other natural health methods are advocated by chiropractors, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and other lifestyle changes.

Most effects of spinal manipulations are gradual, although many patients feel some relief after their first visit.

Chiropractors typically recommend regular visits in order to benefit the most from the adjustments.

Many people seek care to relieve pain caused by accidents, poor posture, and old age.

Others just want to be sure their body is functioning properly.

Some people will experience pain after an adjustment due to the changes in their body.

This doesn't happen to everyone, and the pain typically doesn't last very long.

However, if you engage in the wrong types of workouts after treatments, you could potentially worsen your pain or cause more pain.

What Do You Do After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

When you receive a spinal adjustment, your muscles and bones are moved and stimulated. This results in the body releasing toxins—the same thing happens after a massage.

To flush these toxins from the body, you want to drink a large glass of water right after your adjustment.

After your adjustment, you don’t want your body to immediately revert to the same position it was in.

Avoid sitting for long periods of time after your appointment, if possible, and enjoy the mobility that your adjustment has created by going for a long walk, or take a bike ride.

Yes, you want to stay active after an adjustment, but you also don’t want to overdo it. When the body is moved into proper alignment, the tendency can be for it to return to where it was.

Keep this alignment intact by not doing any quick or jerky movements following your adjustment, and not doing any heavy lifting or strenuous activities.

Exercise Recommendations

Your chiropractor will probably recommend working out as a way to enhance your treatment and strengthen your back and body.

There are a few precautionary measures you should take, especially if you exercise right after treatment because your body needs a chance to adapt to the procedure.

It's not recommended that you work out immediately following an adjustment. Try to have at least 2-6 hours break before any heavy workouts in the beginning.

That way you get the most out of both activities as well as a better sense of what changes are happening.

Working out right after treatment has the potential to undo all the work that was accomplished during the adjustment for tissues and muscles.

This risk is even higher if you are recovering from an injury.

However, performing appropriate exercises at the appropriate times will usually improve your treatment outcomes.

Should I Workout Before or After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

The conventional wisdom about workouts and chiropractic adjustments is that adjustments should be done before you work out. This is for a few reasons.

If you’re seeing your chiropractor for pain relief, then removing pressure on the spinal nerves before a workout is going to help you to feel better.

When misalignments are corrected in your body, it will allow for a more efficient workout, and you might feel a difference in your flexibility as well.

The muscles attached to the spine should be balanced in order for you to be healthy. If you’re having painful symptoms that your chiropractor is trying to alleviate, then a workout before the adjustment may make the pain or discomfort you’re experiencing worse.

When you visit the Arrowhead Clinic to get treated before a workout, then your joints should have their proper motion restored.

Also, when you’re adjusted before your workout, it helps your muscles to relax, which can then help you to avoid injury.

Chiropractic adjustments allow your body to perform at an optimal level and takes pressure off of your nervous system. The less pressure there is on your central nervous system, the better your overall health.

Your nervous system is an integral part of your overall health, and when proper communication is restored within your central nervous system, then your whole body will work more effectively.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Regular exercise is a critical part of any healthy living plan.

Chiropractors generally work with their patients to come up with a workout plan that ties into treatment plans.

You should aim for some form of daily aerobic exercise, and choose lower-impact activities that aren't as likely to aggravate any back pain or injuries.

Swimming and moderate-paced walking are both examples of low impact activities.

If you start experiencing muscle pain, stop exercising right away.

Weight loss and weight management are also preventative measures against back pain.

The CDC recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week to help maintain a healthy weight.

Talk To Your Chiropractor

If you already have a doctor of chiropractic, you probably already know when you should be working out.

You'll get the biggest benefits from your treatments when they are paired with a workout program.

If you have yet to see a chiropractor, ask them about exercise during your initial consultation.

They will be able to recommend a workout plan that is unique to your situation, and they will tell you what you can and can't do after your treatments.

If you have never seen a chiropractor before, you may have many unanswered questions. Click here if you are wondering how much does chiropractic care cost?

Visit The Arrowhead Clinic Today

If you don't have a chiropractor, the expert chiropractors at the Arrowhead Clinic will be happy to help.

The Arrowhead Clinic has been serving their communities for over 40 years, and they will be happy to help you and answer any questions you have.