8 Proven Tips to Get the Most Out of Chiropractic Care

At least 70 million adults in the country live with some type of chronic pain. Pain can cause mobility problems, affecting the quality of life. Many people grappling with pain may need help with everyday tasks and activities and gradually lose their independence. Loss of independence can affect one’s mental and physical health.

There are several pain relievers that promise instant relief. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications have side effects and can even be addictive. Prescription pain relievers mask the symptoms of pain and their benefits are usually short-lived.

Many people who want to avoid the side effects of pain relievers turn to chiropractic care for help. Chiropractic care relieves pain naturally. It is 100% drug-free and does not have any side effects when performed by an expert.

The goal of chiropractic care is to restore normal joint function, realign the spine, and reduce pain and discomfort so the patient can live a more fulfilling life.

Chiropractors use their hands or a small handheld device to apply sudden, controlled, gentle pressure to the spine. Chiropractic adjustments can help with different types of pain, improve range of motion, muscle, and joint flexibility, and reduce symptoms of chronic conditions.

Some chiropractors also recommend seeing a physical therapist. Chiropractic care and physical therapy in Burien work together to speed up recovery. As a leading chiropractic care facility in the Burien area, the team at Ascent Chiropractic has put together some of their top recommendations to follow to ensure you get the most out of your chiropractic care.

Be Consistent

Many people stop seeing their chiropractors once their condition starts improving. The benefits of chiropractic care cannot be fully accomplished if you are inconsistent and see your chiropractor only once in a while.

Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It is a time-taking process. Your nervous system may have been out of sync for a while and can take some time to fully correct the problems you are experiencing. Consistent chiropractic care encourages natural recovery, reduces digestive problems, strengthens the immune system, and improves balance, flexibility, and function.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water before and after chiropractic adjustments. Water flushes out the toxins and waste from the body, detoxifying it naturally. It also keeps your joints and discs lubricated. Therefore, drink water immediately after an adjustment to avoid symptoms of a toxic release.

It can be difficult for some people to consume the daily recommended amount of water, let alone additional water for their chiropractic care. If you struggle to drink enough water daily, here are some tips to increase your water consumption.

➢ Set a daily water intake goal. Make sure your goals are realistic and trackable.
➢ Set reminders to drink water on your cell phone or smartwatch. You can also use reminder apps
➢ Add water-rich foods such as watermelon, zucchini, celery, and lettuce to your diet.
➢ Drink a glass of water before and after every meal

Get Plenty of Rest

Healthy adults need 7-9 hours of sleep every night to function well. When we sleep, our Parasympathetic Nervous System gets to work, kick-starting several healing processes. Our brain’s Cerebral Spinal Fluid flushes out toxins from the body. No wonder this is why we feel sluggish and can’t think clearly after a bad night’s sleep.

Sleep on your right side or your back. Use therapeutic pillows designed to support the neck and hips. To keep your spine aligned and reduce stress on it, strategically place pillows between your knees and behind your neck.

Maintain Good Posture

Poor posture can reduce the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments. It can affect your spine and lead to digestive disorders, poor circulation, impaired lung function, and constricted nerves. When you are sitting at your desk, make sure your elbows are bent at 90 degrees along with your knees.

The top of your laptop’s screen should be at or slightly below eye level. Take a 10-15 minute break per hour to get up and walk around. Stand straight and don’t lock your knees. Make sure your head is level and in line with your body.

Stick To A Healthy Diet

The foods you eat affect your physical and mental health. Unhealthy foods such as highly processed foods and sugary snacks and drinks have empty calories. They may provide immediate energy, but have little nutritional value.

Unhealthy foods can cause inflammation, which can lead to severe joint pain. Instead of supporting recovery, these foods can negatively affect different body parts and delay healing.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A balanced diet includes green veggies, fresh fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

When you eat a healthy diet, different body systems work properly. A healthy diet provides essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs to repair tissues and heal wounds. When you combine chiropractic care and a healthy diet, your body functions optimally.

Maintain an Active Lifestyle

Therapeutic exercises restore a range of motion, improve flexibility and strength, and may also help reduce pain. Perform exercises or stretches recommended by your chiropractor. The more flexible you are, the easier it is for your chiropractor to adjust your spine or joints as needed. Extra weight puts additional stress on joints. An active lifestyle also helps maintain healthy body weight.

Chiropractic care paired with exercise can help prevent injuries. Studies show that combining chiropractic care with exercise increases the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments.

Take an Epsom Salt Bath After Every Adjustment

Epsom salt can help remove toxins such as uric acid and lactic acid from the body after an adjustment. It relaxes muscles and relieves pain in the skull, shoulders, neck, and back.

Ice Your Muscles

Ice muscles before, after, and between chiropractic adjustments. Ice therapy reduces inflammation, improves circulation, removes toxins from the body, and ensures the affected joints and muscles get the essential nutrients required for recovery.

At Ascent Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. We use a whole-body approach to care. Our methods are designed to balance the structure of the body so clients can continue to enjoy their favorite activities. To schedule an appointment, call (206)241-3836.