Getting Started with Chiropractic Care

First off… What is chiropractic about

Chiropractic treatments focus on neuromusculoskeletal health by looking at the spine, the musculature, and connection to the nervous system. Our bodies are often placed under pressure that prevent optimal performance. Pressure can present as: stress, lack of movement, poor diet, burnout, and other irritants. When this happens, our system becomes backlogged and develops inflammation, muscle tension, and restriction in movement of the joints. Chiropractic care assists in restoring joint function and promotion of healing through gentle adjustments, manual therapy, and other modalities. When your body’s in alignment, proper brain-body connection can resume and allow your system to regulate, relieving pressure and restoring its unique optimal equilibrium.

When should you consider seeing a chiropractor? 

Short answer: anytime! The best time to establish care is when you perceive yourself to be in  little to no pain. But of course, if you are in pain, definitely book an appointment. The reason I say you should start when you have mild tension is because an initial examination requires more movement and  can amplify discomfort momentarily. Initial assessments are important to get a “baseline” or a better idea of what your body is going through.Chiropractic diversified adjustments require movements that can be less therapeutic in the moment, but can bring significant improvement of your overall well-being. If you are in significant pain, of course there are other techniques such as an instrument assisted or drop table that will help you feel better with less movement involved. 

Establishing care now can help prevent minor dysfunctions from turning into major disorders. A lot of musculoskeletal pain comes from a lack of balance that starts well before the “injury”. 

How often should I get care?

This is a big “it depends” question! If you are having acute pain, more frequent appointments show better results (1-2 visits per week) and help downregulate your nervous system to get you to a more stable state. As you progress, treatments can be spaced further apart being 1-2x/month or even just once every other. 

What if I have no pain? Do I still need to get treatments?

If you are not having any pain, I would recommend at least still checking in every 3 months minimum! Why? Because our bodies go through changes just like the seasons changing. When fall comes around, we become more complacent, with winter sedentary, with spring easing into movement, and with summer active! Each season takes a toll on our bodies and although you might not feel pain, your body goes through a lot! We ask a lot of our bodies and our system as a whole- regular TLC keeps your body balanced, content, and healthy.

What to wear to a treatment?

Loose, comfortable clothing is best to help you relax and allow proper assessment of areas such as the shoulders, hips, knees, etc. 

What can I expect after a treatment?

With any manual modality (massage, acupuncture, chiropractic), you can feel slightly worse before feeling better. Built up pressure and toxins are released from the body during these sessions which can leave you feeling sore or fatigued. Keep in mind that healing isn’t always as pleasant as it sounds- it is a process that may not always be gratifying at first. Drinking water after appointments and being kind to your body can help it adjust better to the care you received. Symptoms can last up to 48 hours. 

You know your body best! If symptoms persist or there are other negative effects that occur, please call- we are happy to help!