Should You Wait to Work Out After a Chiropractic Adjustment?
Chiropractic care aims to identify spinal misalignments and use manual and tool-assisted techniques to gently return your vertebrae to their proper positions. You might notice soreness in the treated area following the first few chiropractor visits, but this is a sign of growth, similar to how your muscles feel sore after starting a new workout routine.
Speaking of workouts, many people wonder—is it wise to exercise shortly after a chiropractic adjustment, or should you delay your sweat session? Your chiropractor knows how important exercise is to your daily routine, so follow this medical professional’s advice when coordinating your spinal adjustments and workout schedule to benefit you the most.
Exercising Before vs. After a Chiropractic Adjustment
Exercise is a critical part of any healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent back pain and make it easier to manage existing chronic pain. Perhaps this is why you follow the American Heart Association’s recommendation to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, plus two days of resistance or weight training.
The question then becomes, how should you time your workouts with your chiropractor visits? Is it better to exercise before or after a spinal adjustment?
Because adjustments help realign the spine, working out immediately after visiting the chiropractor is generally not recommended. Otherwise, you could inadvertently undo all the progress you’ve made!
The key is to discuss your exercise habits with your chiropractor. This way, you can work together to schedule your appointments for a day and time that offsets your workout routine.
Exercising While Recovering from an Injury
Keep in mind that it also makes a difference whether you’re visiting the chiropractor for preventative support or injury treatment. In the case of injuries, it’s especially crucial to follow your treatment plan. Avoid any exercises that your chiropractor warns could reinjure yourself, and adopt any rehab exercises and stretches recommended to you.
Your chiropractor may suggest low-impact activities less likely to aggravate your injuries, such as swimming, walking, yoga, and light weightlifting or bodyweight exercises. Combining strength-based, flexibility-enhancing workouts and spinal adjustments during your recovery can help speed up the healing process compared to receiving adjustments alone. Just be sure to listen to feedback from your body so you don’t push yourself too far.
For instance, if you feel anything more than slight discomfort, you might make things worse if you keep going. Ease up, switch to lighter weights, or discontinue the exercise entirely until you have a chance to ask your chiropractor for advice.
Schedule a Chiropractic Adjustment
Whether you’re seeking relief from back and neck pain or simply want to support a properly aligned spine, Effective Integrative Healthcare can help you reach your goals. Our chiropractors have over a decade of experience helping patients of all ages and fitness levels attain better overall health. If you’re ready to experience the benefits of chiropractic adjustments for yourself, please schedule a free consultation at our Crofton or Millersville, MD, location today.