Chiropractic treatment can offer advantages over pain relief modalities offered by traditional medicine. Unlike surgery, chiropractic is noninvasive, and unlike pain medications, there is no risk for destructive addiction.

Most people report feeling better after a chiropractic adjustment, with some even experiencing a sensation of euphoria. However, some people do experience negative effects. These are usually mild and resolve themselves within a day or two.

1. Fatigue

Many chiropractic patients report feeling sleepy and fatigued after a chiropractic treatment. Though you don’t really do anything during the treatment, your muscles are worked very hard through the chiropractor’s manipulations. The hard work that your muscles have been put through is the reason why you may feel tired afterward. The symptoms should resolve with rest.

You may also feel dizzy or faint following a chiropractic adjustment, for the same reason.

2. Headache

It is fairly common for patients to experience headache following a chiropractic adjustment. The pain tends to occur in the forehead. Most of these headaches are mild. If yours is not, your chiropractor may be able to supply something to help relieve the pain, as this is an expected side effect.

The reason for headache following chiropractic treatment is not entirely clear. Sometimes these headaches can be more serious, in which case it might be a good idea to consult a medical doctor.

3. Nausea

Some people experience nausea after a chiropractic treatment. It may cause some alarm, because you may have heard that it means your body is rejecting the chiropractic treatment. However, this is a misconception. The nausea actually arises from the body position that you assume during chiropractic adjustment. Lying prone, sometimes with your chin resting on a flat surface, can cause pressure that leads to stomach symptoms. Nausea following chiropractic treatment typically does not last long.

4. Soreness

Probably the most common side effect reported following chiropractic care is soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic treatment seeks to bring the bones and joints of your body back into proper alignment. However, your body has grown accustomed to the malalignment. As a result, putting everything back in its proper place means that your body has to re-acclimate. It can take time to get used to this, and in the meantime, mild soreness is the initial reaction.

Some people report no effects after chiropractic treatment, either positive or negative. This is not unusual either. It can take time for the benefits to become evident. If you would like to discuss how chiropractic care could potentially help you, contact an office for an appointment with a chiropractor in Gaithersburg, MD.

Thanks to AmeriWell Clinics for their insight into chiropractic care and possible side effects.

Scroll to Top