“Detox” is certainly a buzzword of our day. Everyone from trendy juice bars to skincare companies claim that you need to be detoxed ASAP and their product or service will make that happen. You may have heard that a chiropractic adjustment can help you detox. Is that just a myth, or is there some truth to these detox symptoms claims? And what exactly does it mean to “detox”?
If we turn to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of detox is “a regimen or treatment intended to remove toxins and impurities from the body.” So, can a chiropractic visit help rid the human body of toxic materials? The answer is a simple and emphatic no.
Chiropractic treatment has a lot of great benefits but ridding your body of toxic substances isn’t one of them. In fact, when discussing what research shows about chiropractic, The American Chiropractic Association never once mentions “toxins” or “toxic release”. (It is an interesting thought, though. Imagine how busy chiropractors would become Monday morning!)
The myth linking spinal manipulation and detoxification may be traced to how some people feel immediately after an adjustment. If you’ve had chiropractic manipulations in the past, you may recall feeling somewhat strange for a minute or two afterward. Some people describe this as dizziness, lightheadedness, or even feeling a bit tipsy.
That brief experience isn’t toxins—substances that are foreign and harmful to your body—making their exit. Rather, what you’re feeling is the natural release of normal body chemicals and hormones, including dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” chemical, which explains the quick high or euphoric feeling that some people experience. And if this isn’t something you’ve experienced after a chiropractic treatment, don’t worry. Not everyone will feel a little bit of buzz afterward.
During a chiropractic session, some people will feel a popping sensation or even hear a “popping” sound. Contrary to what you might have read or been told, the popping noise is not a toxic release. What you’re actually hearing are the tiny air pockets that naturally exist in your spinal joints and the subsequent release of nitrogen oxide.
While it’s normal to feel or hear “pop”, don’t worry if you don’t experience it. The popping is not a good indication of whether or not your chiropractic manipulation was beneficial.
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, you may wonder what the most common reaction to a chiropractic adjustment is. Responses to chiropractic manipulation vary from person to person and even visit to visit. Just because your friend told you he felt intoxicated does not mean that you will have the same experience. After an adjustment, people typically feel one of three ways:
There are three phases of chiropractic care:
During relief care in particular, people come in with pain and maybe apprehensive about seeing the chiropractor. During this phase, it’s important for a person to check in with themselves about how they are feeling after a spinal adjustment.
New patients should make note of how they feel:
Letting your chiropractor know how you responded allows them to tailor your treatment. With your input and awareness, you can receive the most benefit with the least amount of discomfort while healing.
It’s not uncommon or a bad sign if you feel sore or uncomfortable after a chiropractic adjustment. Your body has to accommodate to the changes that are happening. For example, if your neck and shoulder muscles were tight from hunching over a computer all week, you may feel a headache soon after a chiropractic visit. Your muscles are irritated and even a little “angry” from being adjusted. Ice, rest, and gentle stretching can help alleviate any soreness after a spinal adjustment.
Pain medications only treat the pain, not the underlying condition. Both prescription and over the counter drugs can have serious side effects:
Spinal manipulations are an effective, non-invasive treatment for a number of health problems. Compared to medications, the “side effects”—brief headache or soreness—are minimal.
Make an appointment today to experience the benefits of a spinal adjustment. But if you want to detox, you’ll have to swing by the juice bar first.
“Detox” is certainly a buzzword of our day. Everyone from trendy juice bars to skincare companies claim that you need to be detoxed ASAP and their product or service will make that happen. You may have heard that a chiropractic adjustment can help you detox. Is that just a myth, or is there some truth to these detox symptoms claims? And what exactly does it mean to “detox”?
If we turn to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of detox is “a regimen or treatment intended to remove toxins and impurities from the body.” So, can a chiropractic visit help rid the human body of toxic materials? The answer is a simple and emphatic no.
Chiropractic treatment has a lot of great benefits but ridding your body of toxic substances isn’t one of them. In fact, when discussing what research shows about chiropractic, The American Chiropractic Association never once mentions “toxins” or “toxic release”. (It is an interesting thought, though. Imagine how busy chiropractors would become Monday morning!)
The myth linking spinal manipulation and detoxification may be traced to how some people feel immediately after an adjustment. If you’ve had chiropractic manipulations in the past, you may recall feeling somewhat strange for a minute or two afterward. Some people describe this as dizziness, lightheadedness, or even feeling a bit tipsy.
That brief experience isn’t toxins—substances that are foreign and harmful to your body—making their exit. Rather, what you’re feeling is the natural release of normal body chemicals and hormones, including dopamine. Dopamine is a “feel good” chemical, which explains the quick high or euphoric feeling that some people experience. And if this isn’t something you’ve experienced after a chiropractic treatment, don’t worry. Not everyone will feel a little bit of buzz afterward.
During a chiropractic session, some people will feel a popping sensation or even hear a “popping” sound. Contrary to what you might have read or been told, the popping noise is not a toxic release. What you’re actually hearing are the tiny air pockets that naturally exist in your spinal joints and the subsequent release of nitrogen oxide.
While it’s normal to feel or hear “pop”, don’t worry if you don’t experience it. The popping is not a good indication of whether or not your chiropractic manipulation was beneficial.
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, you may wonder what the most common reaction to a chiropractic adjustment is. Responses to chiropractic manipulation vary from person to person and even visit to visit. Just because your friend told you he felt intoxicated does not mean that you will have the same experience. After an adjustment, people typically feel one of three ways:
There are three phases of chiropractic care:
During relief care in particular, people come in with pain and maybe apprehensive about seeing the chiropractor. During this phase, it’s important for a person to check in with themselves about how they are feeling after a spinal adjustment.
New patients should make note of how they feel:
Letting your chiropractor know how you responded allows them to tailor your treatment. With your input and awareness, you can receive the most benefit with the least amount of discomfort while healing.
It’s not uncommon or a bad sign if you feel sore or uncomfortable after a chiropractic adjustment. Your body has to accommodate to the changes that are happening. For example, if your neck and shoulder muscles were tight from hunching over a computer all week, you may feel a headache soon after a chiropractic visit. Your muscles are irritated and even a little “angry” from being adjusted. Ice, rest, and gentle stretching can help alleviate any soreness after a spinal adjustment.
Pain medications only treat the pain, not the underlying condition. Both prescription and over the counter drugs can have serious side effects:
Spinal manipulations are an effective, non-invasive treatment for a number of health problems. Compared to medications, the “side effects”—brief headache or soreness—are minimal.
Make an appointment today to experience the benefits of a spinal adjustment. But if you want to detox, you’ll have to swing by the juice bar first.