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Chiropractic adjustments are made to ease back and neck pain. It’s also a method used to manage discomfort through spinal manipulation. However, a headache after chiropractic adjustment might occur. This happens due to the chemical signals that our body releases after the treatment. Headaches can somehow affect your vision, but if you think it’s due to a severe health problem, just click on this link to learn about treatments. Meanwhile, let’s discuss how chiropractic treatment can cause headaches.
What is Chiropractic Adjustment
This is done by a licensed chiropractor. It is a safe healing technique as chiropractors went through extensive training to perform spine and joint manipulation effectively.
Basically, chiropractic care focuses on correcting the body alignment to help reduce pain. The treatment also serves as a holistic approach to improving health and wellness.
What To Expect on Your First Visit
The treatment will start with a physical examination. Once you’re ready, the chiropractor will begin putting force on the spinal joint. Chiropractors use their bare hands, so don’t be surprised if they touch you directly. The manipulation takes place by applying controlled pressure to your back.
If it’s your first time in the clinic, you can always ask the staff about the procedure before it begins. That way, you will be more comfortable during the treatment.
Chiropractic Treatment Leading to Headache
What you need to know is that the headaches that you feel after chiropractic care is temporary. In fact, it subsides quickly. Headache is the natural response of our body to eliminate toxins. The human body is designed to continuously react to chemical signals from inside and outside the body. For instance, you get a sudden headache accompanied by nausea when you smell something with a foul odor.
The body’s spine is the main pathway to send chemical signals. Back pain and other back problems often hinder the signals from passing through smoothly. Through chiropractic adjustments, the issues will be resolved, and sometimes, this leads to a sudden release of stranded chemical signs. When this takes place, your nervous system will go through a temporary overwhelming situation.
Some chiropractic patients experience headaches after the treatment accompanied by cold symptoms. This lasts for a brief period only and happens rarely.
Managing Headaches After the Chiropractic Adjustments
Headache is one of the usual side effects of chiropractic treatment. Unfortunately, your chiropractor has no way of determining if you will experience it or not. The headaches commonly depend on the toxin levels in your body.
But what’s important to know is that there are ways to manage the headaches.
If the headaches kick in the right after the treatment and you are still in the clinic, let your doctor know immediately. They will be able to provide a remedy and advise you of the proper ways to manage it. In most cases, the headache recedes on its own.
You may use an ice pack to reduce the pain. Over-the-counter pain medications will also help you get through with it. If you usually experience headaches and have an existing prescription for it, it would also be best to use your medication. To prevent headaches from occurring, you may want to take your medication before the treatment.
If you are having any second thoughts, your chiropractor will be glad to guide you all the way.
Treating Headaches With Chiropractic Adjustment
Other Possible Side Effects
While the treatment is generally safe for everyone, possible side effects might still occur. This, of course, would depend on the individual’s health condition. Those who have an existing medical condition would most likely be required to consult their doctor first.
Spinal joints soreness
Rarely, some patients experience soreness in the spinal muscles and joints. This is described as the same soreness you feel after a heavy workout. However, soreness does not usually last for more than a day. Most patients recover from it quickly. Placing an ice pack on the area with sore will help.
Fatigue and continuous pain
This side effect usually takes place after a neck and back adjustment. But as mentioned, all side effects are just your body’s initial reaction to the treatment. They will all go away in few hours.
Go to CEN Chiro’s clinic in Carlton if you need help from a professional.
References:
Can Chiropractic Adjustments Cause Headaches in Fort Worth? (https://www.texasinjuryclinic.com/can-chiropractic-adjustments-cause-headaches-205049/)
The Side Effects of Chiropractic Care (https://www.avonchiropracticclinic.com/blog/the-side-effects-of-chiropractic-care)