Why Am I Sore After My Chiropractic Appointment?

Breathe. It’s very common to feel a bit sore after your first few chiropractic adjustments, and in most cases, it’s a completely normal part of the healing process. Think of it like starting a new workout routine: your body is being asked to move and function in ways it isn’t used to, and it needs time to adapt.

During a chiropractic adjustment, restricted joints are mobilized, muscles are stretched, and the nervous system is stimulated to improve communication between your brain and body. When alignment and motion are restored, muscles and ligaments that have been compensating for dysfunction may temporarily react. That reaction can cause mild soreness, tightness, or fatigue for a day or two after treatment.

It’s extremely important to recognize this soreness isn’t a sign of harm, it’s a sign of change. Your body is adjusting to a new, healthier posture and movement pattern. Just as you might feel a certain muscle ache after adjusting your form at the gym, post-adjustment soreness reflects your soft tissues adapting to new functional capacity.

To help decrease soreness as much as possible, here are three ways to support recovery after your visit:

• Stay hydrated. Just like after you get a massage, drinking a sufficient amount of water helps flush out metabolic waste released during muscle and joint work.
  
  

• Use gentle movement. Light walking or stretching post-adjustment keeps circulation flowing and prevents stiffness.
  
  

• Apply ice or heat as recommended by your chiropractor to ease inflammation or relax tension. Don’t know which one to use? Ask!
  
  

Most patients notice that any soreness fades quickly, and with continued care, it often disappears altogether as the body stabilizes in its new normal alignment.

If you’re worried, or ever experience unusual or prolonged discomfort, don’t be afraid to let your chiropractor know. Your care is a partnership, and open communication helps ensure each adjustment moves you closer to lasting comfort and optimal function. Some bodies react better to one technique over another, and the only way your chiropractor will be able to adjust and tailor your care to suit your needs is if you are open and honest about your experience and expectations.