Let’s discuss how to take care of yourself during recovery at home!

Chiropractic care doesn’t end when you leave our office. This holistic approach requires a few simple life changes on your part to bring about the best results. Sure, you could keep coming back for adjustments indefinitely, but that’s not optimal and it’s certainly not what we want! The more you get to know your body and do your part at home, the faster you’ll feel better. So what exactly can you do to facilitate the healing process in between treatments? Here are a few practices to implement now:

Don’t sit still, keep recovery in mind

Unlike what you were told in school, we actually don’t want you to stay in one position and we’d prefer you sit as little as possible! The key to a healthy spine (and therefore a healthy body) is to keep moving. The less you move, over time, the more immobile your spine will become. Remember, a body in motion stays in motion! So stretch, take walks, do yoga, try a low-impact workout, invest in a stand-up or peddle desk, and consider getting some sort of device that can help you keep track of your steps. When you need to sit, use a chair that encourages good posture and take some movement breaks throughout the duration.

Be mindful of what you put into your body

First, drink more water. Divide your weight by half and that’s the number of ounces of water per day you should be drinking. Second, steer clear of inflammatory foods. After an injury, inflammation can serve to cushion and immobilize an injured area. (Remember, we want your spine moving.) It can also remove irritants and pathogens from the body, so inflammation does have a purpose. But chronic inflammation can mean the body is unable to eliminate the cause of acute inflammation. It can also be a sign that your immune system is mistaking healthy tissue for unhealthy pathogens. Begin an anti-inflammation diet now to facilitate the healing process. Aim for more fresh fruits and vegetables; lean meat and fish; and supplements like vitamin D and magnesium.

(Remember what while Dr. Reza is a Doctor of Chiropractic, he is not a medical doctor and does not have access to your medical chart. If you have any specific concerns about vitamins or changing your diet due to a diagnosis you have received, reach out to your primary care physician.)

Combine regular massage with your spinal adjustments

It’s great that you’re aligning your spine through chiropractic care, but if your muscles are tight, they’ll just pull your spine back out of alignment. Massage therapy addresses soft tissue inflammation, relieves nerve pain, and improves range of motion. It also relaxes the muscles so they won’t undo your chiropractic adjustments. And because massage therapy provides stress relief, too, your cortisol levels will be lower and your immune system should be stronger, leading a holistic approach to the healing process. You want the odds stacked in your favor, right? When massage therapy and spinal adjustments are done in conjunction, you have a high chance of recovering faster.

With these simple changes at home, you’ll be taking an active role in your recovery. By moving your body more often, being more aware of what you’re putting in your body, and combining massage with your spinal adjustments, you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time! Call our office at (406) 920-1807 or use our contact form to schedule your appointment today.