Does Chiropractic Treatment Hurt?
It’s a fair question. Does chiropractic treatment hurt?
Most people come to a chiropractic office because they are in pain already. The last thing they want is to add to that pain.
So, it is a common question we get asked at our Racine, Caledonia, and Mt Pleasant Daniels Chiropractic office:
Will chiropractic treatment cause me more pain? Will it hurt?
Our aim at Daniels Chiropractic is to limit your pain throughout your treatment.
So, the big answer to this question is NO.
Chiropractic treatment is not inherently painful when administered. Most patients say that treatment is painless.
However, two things can happen that can create a measure of pain:
- Tensing up during an adjustment.
AND
- A delayed response of soreness after an adjustment.
Why Would A Patient Tense Up?
When the body is in pain it tends to contract - not loosen or relax. Add in some apprehension and a fair amount of anxiety about experiencing chiropractic treatment for the first time, and some patients tense up during an adjustment.
The back and neck stiffen and resist the doctor’s manual therapy. This is understandable.
At Daniels Chiropractic we will talk you through what therapy is like, what to expect during an adjustment, and how to relax during it. If there is still a degree of tensing up, then there may be discomfort during an adjustment until the client is able to relax during treatment.
At Daniels Chiropractic we take time to create a calm and soothing environment with clients, lessening stress and anxiety about adjustments.
Why Is There Delayed Soreness After A Treatment?
The second situation where someone complains of pain is not during the treatment, but afterward.
This is a delayed response to treatment that feels like muscle soreness after an intense workout. This kind of muscle soreness typically shows up a few hours or more after an adjustment and dissipates within 24 to 48 hours.
For those who experience this kind of delayed soreness after chiropractic treatment, it will be most severe at the beginning phase of treatment and lessen in severity over time. As your muscles and spine are improving in alignment and function, the delayed soreness lessens and usually goes away completely.
Let’s Talk
Each time we see a patient, we dialogue with them about how they are handling the treatment:
- What is working?
- How do they feel?
- Is there improvement?
- If there is soreness, then we want to know how the client is perceiving it and handling it.
- Is it too much?
If the client feels they are getting too sore, then we will make a change in our approach to treatment.
For instance, we can change to an instrument approach or use the drop table instead of a manual approach. In other words, you have options.
When you come in for treatment, we will discuss any of your concerns and make as many changes to our approach as needed in order to make treatment work for you.
In Pain?
Let us see if we can help you get better.
Come see us at Daniels Chiropractic to get the care you need. We want to help you get back to your everyday life.We are committed to helping you feel, move, and live better.
Give us a call at 262.638.9999 to make an appointment today.
Daniels Chiropractic Office
2609 Rapids Drive
Racine, WI 53404
Phone: 262.638.9999
Fax: 262.638.0742