It is normal to feel mild soreness or stiffness following a chiropractic adjustment, especially if it is your first time receiving care or if you have long-standing joint restriction. This temporary discomfort is often compared to the sensation after a moderate workout, as your body responds to the treatment. This mild soreness is typically localized to the adjusted area and usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. This article explains the physical reasons for this post-adjustment tenderness and provides steps to promote comfort and recovery.
Why Your Body Feels Sore After an Adjustment
The soreness you feel is a direct result of the physical changes induced by the controlled force of the spinal manipulation. Adjustments are designed to restore proper motion to joints that have been restricted or “stuck” for a period of time. This sudden mobilization of previously immobile joints requires the surrounding soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments, to adapt to a new range of motion.
Muscles that have been compensating for a spinal misalignment may suddenly be asked to relax, while previously underused muscle fibers are activated to support the corrected posture. This activation of dormant musculature can produce a sensation similar to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The body interprets this sudden change and tissue stretching as minor micro-trauma, triggering a natural and temporary inflammatory response.
This localized, mild inflammation is a part of the healing process, increasing blood flow to the area for tissue repair and adaptation. The tension held in the muscles and connective tissue is released during the adjustment, and the body must then recalibrate to its improved alignment. This neurological and muscular “re-learning” phase accounts for the short-term tenderness you may experience.
Simple Strategies for Post-Adjustment Comfort
Managing temporary soreness involves simple steps focused on supporting your body’s adaptation process.
- Maintain excellent hydration by drinking plenty of water. Water helps support muscle recovery and facilitates the flushing of metabolic byproducts.
- Apply cold therapy, such as an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel, to the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes during the first 24 to 48 hours to minimize localized swelling.
- Use a warm compress or bath after the initial period, or if stiffness is the primary concern, to soothe and relax muscle tightness.
- Incorporate gentle movement, such as a short walk. This light activity helps prevent stiffness from setting in and keeps joints lubricated.
- Prioritize quality sleep, as the body performs the majority of its repair and recovery functions while resting.
When Soreness Signals a Larger Problem
It is important to distinguish between normal, mild post-adjustment soreness and symptoms that may signal a more serious concern. Normal soreness is typically a dull ache or stiffness localized to the adjusted region, and it should begin to improve within 48 hours. It should not prevent you from performing routine daily activities.
You should contact your chiropractor or seek medical attention immediately if you experience sharp, shooting, or intense pain that does not subside or if the pain significantly worsens over a two-day period. Other red flag symptoms include pain that radiates down an arm or leg, which could indicate nerve involvement. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs, loss of bowel or bladder control, or a sudden, severe headache require immediate medical evaluation.