IT is sometimes common for a patient who has just begun chiropractic care to feel worse before they feel better. If this happens, then it is usually only after the first visit or two.

If the patient discontinues care after only two or three adjustments because it seemingly made them feel worse, then they haven’t allowed the body to adapt to the changes that are occurring. Oftentimes, a patient beginning care in their adult life has had years of accumulated spinal misalignments and manifestations of symptoms. The first few successful adjustments (restoring motion to something that has not moved in several months or years), may cause discomfort due to the changes that are happening, even though they are positive changes – much like disturbing tissues to remove a splinter. If the chiropractor doesn’t explain this process as being very normal and natural, the patient, expecting pain relief, may be disappointed to see that they may feel temporarily worse.

Most patients, however, begin to experience relief and improvement after the very first adjustment, especially if they follow recommendations for rest, water intake and cryotherapy, which is the proper application of ice to the area of discomfort.

For those who do experience any discomfort, much like beginning a new exercise programme, the body needs time to adapt to the changes that are taking place. The first time you go for a run you may feel tired, weak, sore, and nauseated. However, give it a couple weeks and your body adapts to these new positive changes and you begin to feel much better and stronger. If misalignments that have been present for years are suddenly being corrected, it is expected that the body may “complain” somewhat, at first. It has been conditioned to believe that abnormal is normal, and initially, it may be shocked and temporarily assess that the new normal is abnormal.

The body may resist and guard, at first, in an attempt to protect you. It takes time for the muscles, ligaments and joints to readapt to the vertebra’s new and improved position. It also takes time to “reset” the proprioceptors and true, normal position and motion function of the joints. As a result, the muscles may at first be guarded, causing soreness and spasms. This is easily combatted with continued chiropractic alignments, the proper use of ice, water intake and rest as is recommended for all new proponents of a chiropractic regimen of care.

Be patient

While most people can, and many do, experience immediate, significant relief, chiropractic care is a process that may take some time in others. Honour and be grateful for the changes. After all, you are likely beginning chiropractic care because you have recognised that something needs to change in your body. Remember that the purpose of chiropractic adjustments is not to relieve symptoms, (even though, we repeatedly find that it does), but to help your body function at its optimum level by removing interference from your nervous system. Once the interference is decreased or gone, your life energy is able to flow to all parts of your body as it is needed. With time and regular care, odds are that you will be very happy you made the decision to begin the process.

And if anyone (including your physician) tells you that chiropractic will harm you, injure you, break your bones, or kill you, then they are simply regurgitating unfounded fear tactics to keep you from curing yourself. See your chiropractor and experience wellness for yourself.

Don’t forget to “Ask Your Chiropractor” every week where your questions may be published and answered in subsequent articles. Address questions to: Dr Chris Davis, the Spinal Mechanic at movethebone@gmail.com; or, Dr Michael Harvey, director, at dr.michael_harvey@yahoo.com or visit www.drharveychiropractic.com