Should You Eat or Drink After A Chiropractor Adjusts You?

The question that many patients have is “What should I eat or drink after a chiropractor adjusts me”? That’s a great question because what you eat and drink can impact the way you feel.

A chiropractic adjustment is a therapy used by chiropractors to adjust a patient’s spine. Patients who receive adjustment therapy generally do so to treat either acute or chronic pain in the neck, head or back. Many patients see a significant improvement in their condition after adjustment therapy.

What Happens During an Adjustment? 

Spinal adjustment therapy is usually performed on a patient as he or she lies down on a table. The practitioner uses his or her hands to apply pressure to the patient’s back or neck. The patient will feel popping or cracking in the back or neck, though adjustment therapy is generally painless.

Food and Drink 

After your adjustments, you can eat and drink as usual, unless your chiropractor specifically tells you not to. One rule of thumb is that the patient should drink plenty of water after an adjustment. Drinking water will provide nourishment to vertebral discs. This keeps the spine flexible. Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

In general, people should sleep on their back or side. Sleeping on your stomach requires you to tilt your head unnaturally for hours at a time. Depending on your medical condition, the chiropractor may recommend that you sleep on one side or the other. If you have certain conditions, the chiropractor may recommend that you sleep on your back.

What to Do After an Adjustment 

Your chiropractor in mount pleasant will give you a treatment plan that typically involves returning for multiple adjustments over time. As you move through your treatment plan, your chiropractor will evaluate how well your body responds. He or she may ask about your pain level at each visit. You may need to receive more or less adjustments to find the right balance to improve your condition.

Exercises and Stretches 

While you’re receiving adjustments, most chiropractors will also recommend that you exercise or stretch at home. The chiropractor will either teach you specific stretches or else recommend an exercise therapist.

The exercises are intended to strengthen your back and muscles. Exercising can improve balance and coordination after your adjustment. Beware that if you have a serious back or neck problem, certain exercises may not be possible for you. Yoga and Pilates are generally good options for most patients. However, you should consult with your practitioner before you start an exercise routine.

As previously stated, after spinal adjustments you can eat as usual. Drink plenty of water. Do the stretches and exercises given to you by your chiropractor or physical therapist.

To learn more benefits of chiropractic services read this article.

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Can’t Sleep? Try Going to A Chiropractor

Most people don’t associate sleep with visiting a chiropractor, but there is a real relationship between these two worlds. In fact, chiropractors are often the solution to chronic sleep problems. If you can’t sleep, explore the reasons why a chiropractor in Woodstock might be your best solution.

1. Aligning the Spine 

A chiropractor’s main job is to align the spine. They perform this service by adjusting the body and putting it into specific positions. This practice may seem extreme, but an aligned spine contributes to fewer restless nights.

Pain is ultimately the culprit for your lack of sleep. Misaligned spines create pain along any part of the back. You may not even realize that the spine isn’t in good shape until you experience a chiropractor’s services. If you aren’t in pain, sleep just comes naturally.

2. Improving Blood Flow 

As the chiropractor aligns your spine, other tissues move into their natural positions. Tight muscles, strained tendons and other areas will suddenly feel loose and relaxed. In fact, these areas are now receiving better blood flow than before.

When you’re misaligned, certain blood vessels can be narrowed. Nutrients flowing within the bloodstream don’t have a chance to nourish your tissues. Better blood flow leads to a healthier body that sleeps well each night.

3. Suggesting Sleep Positions 

So, you can’t get sleep? Chiropractors are experts in anatomy. They understand how each bone, tendon and ligament contribute to a well-aligned body. As a result, they’ll know how your body should be positioned during rest for the best night’s sleep.

Ideally, sleeping on your back is the most natural position. Your chiropractor will usually tell patients that sleeping on the stomach is just a recipe for insomnia. However, the chiropractor will look at your individual situation in order to determine the smartest position. Everyone has unique needs when it comes to comfort.

4. Discussing Pillow and Mattress Selections 

The materials that you rest your head and body on are playing a role in your sleep quality. Chiropractors are informal experts in this area because they provide advice about the best beds for their patients. The spine can only remain aligned if the person sleeps on firm pillows and mattresses.

Soft materials allow the spine to bend into unnatural positions after an alignment session. You end up misaligned again, which leads to pain and less sleep. Following your chiropractor’s suggestions about the proper pillows and mattresses will make a difference in your sleep quality.

Always research your chosen chiropractor before heading off to your first appointment. This professional should have the necessary background to align your spine. They can be your partner in quality rest for the rest of your life otherwise.

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