We all have very different experiences, bodies and medical history, but for most people chiro treatment is an effective way to help you feel your best. With all things in life, there’s the possibility that you may experience side effects from chiropractic treatment; usually very minor ones and rarely, more serious side effects.
The best way to avoid side effects of chiropractic treatment is to firstly, make an informed choice when you seek chiropractic care and secondly, to communicate – share your medical history with your chiropractor and ask the right questions.
What are the benefits of chiro care?
Whenever you seek treatment it’s good practice to understand the potential side effects. Before we discuss side effects of chiropractic treatment, it’s important to acknowledge that many people have found chiro care very beneficial – there’s plenty of research that backs this up. At Gateway to Wellness we also pride ourselves on patient feedback and hundreds of positive reviews on our chiro care in Cedar Park.
In America, the number of people seeking chiropractic care is steadily increasing each year because of its effectiveness. Chiro care can help a range of conditions; from back and neck pain to headaches, and can treat people at all life stages – from young sports professionals, to pregnant people, to those with ongoing health conditions.
At Gateway to Wellness we provide chiropractic care, and we are also invested in your overall wellbeing. Our chiropractic treatment helps your nervous and musculoskeletal systems function well. Before physical treatment, we take the time to get to know you, your health goals and your health history. This ensures you get the best treatment outcomes and avoids side effects.
What are the most common side effects of chiropractic treatment?
During chiropractic treatment we physically adjust parts of your body to help with alignment of your joints and bones. One of the most common side effects of treatment is some soreness or stiffness in the treatment area for a few days afterwards.
This is normal. Sometimes the parts of the body that we are treating haven’t been moved for a while, or haven’t been moved in that particular way and so are likely to be stiff and sore – you could compare it to going to an exercise class for the first time in a while and feeling sore afterwards.
At Gateway to Wellness we look at your body as a whole, rather than addressing symptoms in isolation. Our treatments correct the alignment of your body and sometimes this new alignment may take some getting used to. This adjustment can cause some people to experience feeling tired or headachy after chiropractic treatment.
All of these side effects are temporary and will resolve themselves.
What other things should I be aware of?
Things that feel good for your body may not feel good for someone else’s. In the same way that some people prefer yoga over Pilates, or cycling over swimming, people respond differently to different treatments; chiropractic treatment works very well for some people and less well for others. If you find that you are not getting the results you’re looking for, we’ll work with you to adjust your treatment.
In some specific instances, chiropractic treatment may not be the right choice for you, like if you have had spinal surgery, have severe osteoporosis or bone cancer. If you have any of these conditions we encourage you to seek specialized advice and care.
In very rare cases, chiropractic treatment can lead to strokes. Although there has been research that suggests there is little connection between chiro care and strokes, it’s something to consider before you have chiropractic treatment. If stroke is common in your family, or you are a high stroke risk perhaps consider alternatives to chiropractic treatment.
In some rare cases treatment can result in nerve damage or herniated discs. Our chiropractic care in Cedar Park is gentle and targeted, like soft tissue therapy. Our professional and considered treatments avoid this rare side effect.
If you experience any of these more severe side effects, it’s essential that you get treated by a medical professional right away.
What’s the best way to avoid side effects from chiropractic treatment?
Finding the right chiropractor is essential for avoiding serious side effects. The right chiro is one who is trained and certified, and also one who understands your health currently and what you would like to achieve.
Another way to get the best out of your chiropractic treatment and avoid side effects is to combine treatments with things like massages or physiotherapy. We’ll work together as your care team to make sure you get results, and avoid side effects.
At Gateway to Wellness we treat our patients like family. We’ll take the time to understand your medical history so we can work through any concerns and potential risks before you begin your chiro care with us in Cedar Park.
We want to hear about your medical history right up to today, including any medications you’re on or other therapies you might be undertaking. This will help us not only ensure your treatment is effective but also make sure that chiropractic treatment is right for you.
Get in touch to see how we can support your overall wellbeing through our tailored and holistic chiro care in Cedar Park.
