We live in a society where instant gratification is the norm. For example, we have two-day (or less!) shipping with online orders, food delivered to our door in under an hour, and a whole world of answers right at our fingertips with a quick Google on our smartphones.
But when it comes to pain, there’s unfortunately nothing instant about relief. And that can be one of the frustrating parts about chiropractic adjustments. We want instant results, but we have to settle for gradual healing.
A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which trained specialists apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint to improve spinal motion and improve your body’s physical function. While some seek regular adjustments to maintain good spinal health, many more seek adjustments under duress. Low back pain, neck pain and headaches are common reasons a patient might seek relief through chiropractic care.
In this article, we will explain what factors play a role in how many adjustments you may need before you begin to feel better.
How Will I Feel After my First Chiropractic Adjustment?
While 77% of people who seek chiropractic care describe it as “very effective,” the truth is that there are many factors at play when it comes to how quickly it takes effect.
At your initial appointment, your chiropractor will get an extensive history of your pain and possible injury to get a full picture of the problem. After all, your chiropractor’s goal is to treat not only the pain but the underlying condition that is causing it so you don’t deal with it again in the future.
The relief you feel after the first visit really depends on the individual. If your body has spent a long time out of alignment, then it stands to reason that being aligned again will feel good. You may feel more relaxed and flexible after this visit.
You may also feel uncomfortable after an alignment as well. Your body may be used to being misaligned, so an alignment could produce some discomfort. You could continue to feel the pain and soreness that prompted the visit in the first place. However, don’t lose hope. Just because you don’t feel relief on the first visit doesn’t mean the adjustment isn’t working.
Factors That Affect Pain Relief
There may be factors other than the extent and cause of your pain that will affect how many adjustments you need before you feel better. These include:
1. Your Age
How old you are will affect how quickly you respond to chiropractic treatment. Patients in their 20s and 30s tend to respond quicker than patients in their 40s or older.
2. Your Fitness Level
How active you are before your pain occurs can affect how quickly it’s relieved. If you regularly exercise or are active, you will most likely respond quicker to treatment than those with a sedentary lifestyle.
3. How Long You’ve Been in Pain
If you’ve experienced pain for a long time before seeking treatment, the odds are that it will take longer for you to be pain-free. That’s why it’s crucial that you not ignore the pain and seek treatment right on the onset. The sooner you’re treated, the sooner you will start to feel better.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic number of adjustments that will make everyone feel better. In short, it just takes what your body needs to repair itself. However, with every adjustment, whether you feel it or not, remember that you are on the road to recovery however slowly it might seem.
If you’ve been experiencing pain, the specialists at South Orange Chiropractic Center are ready to help you begin your journey to recovery. With state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment, our chiropractors will help you feel better as quickly as they can. Contact us to discuss how we can help you start feeling better today.
