Are Chiropractic Adjustments Addicting?

Though the use of chiropractic care has become more common in recent years, there are still many misconceptions about the practice. If such care has been suggested as a treatment for you and you are wondering what it may look like or what to expect, this article will answer all of your questions. Visiting a chiropractor can also be less expensive than certain long-term medications and physician treatment – so learn about the costs and benefits before making your decision.

Can my body become addicted to adjustments? Unlike certain medications prescribed by your doctor, your body will not become addicted or dependent on adjustments. When you get adjustments at regular intervals, your body may become used to the comfort that comes with your spine being properly aligned (similar to exercising), so you may be more likely to continue the care.

The truth is, there are many benefits to receiving continual chiropractic care – it will ensure that you feel good all the time and that your body is functioning at an optimal level. Once you start going to the chiropractor, you will get a better sense of the number and frequency of adjustments that work best for your body.

This article will explain what a chiropractic adjustment is, how it helps your body, and why you may want to continue going after your “treatment” has ended.

What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure where a trained professional uses their hands, and or small instruments, to apply controlled and sudden force to a spinal joint.

Also called spinal manipulation, this procedure is used to improve spinal motion and physical function. Most often, chiropractors do adjustments to help relieve chronic pain in different areas of the body.

When you go in for your first adjustment, the chiropractor will place you in different positions to work on different areas, but often you will lay facedown on a table.

The chiropractor will use sudden motions to force a joint beyond its usual range of motion – you will likely hear a loud pop as your joints move. It is not painful, but rather you will likely experience immediate relief once you hear the pops.

Oftentimes, a doctor will suggest going to the chiropractor if you are experiencing headaches, neck and back pain, and after car accidents. One adjustment will likely not make a huge impact on pain or body function, chiropractic treatments are best when used continually.

Why Would I Visit a Chiropractor?

Whether your doctor suggests going to a chiropractor, or you seek treatment out yourself, most people go when they experience neck, back, leg, and head pain, or if they have had some sort of injury. Chronic pain patients may opt to try chiropractic treatment as a way to avoid medication and surgery.

Individuals who visit the chiropractor often report improved posture, better mood and sleep, and improvement in their immune systems, and find that it relieves stress. 

It can also be good to consider going to the chiropractor after being in a car accident. Your body may have been impacted in ways you wouldn’t realize and a chiropractor can help ensure your body is aligned as it should be.

Why Should I Get a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Adjustments help realign the bones of the spine while taking pressure off of nerves and allowing your body to move and function properly. They can help increase flexibility and even have positive mental/emotional effects on your life.

It has been reported that chiropractic adjustments are useful for:

• Increasing Your Energy: many people don’t realize how tense their body is and where they carry their stress, adjustments alleviate tension in the spine and allow the nerves to work more efficiently – this way you can move more freely and experience less tension and pressure.
• Improving Digestion: the nerves in your spine also impact your stomach; when vertebrae are misaligned, these nerves can signal the need for more acid production which results in acid reflux, heartburn, and gas; after an adjustment, the nerves work more efficiently and your stomach problems will be improved.
• Better Breathing: chiropractic care can correct any constrictions that limit lung inflation and cause breathing issues like asthma so that your lungs can function properly and you can breathe easier.
• Treating Headaches: whether you have tension headaches or have an imbalance in your spinal fluid, adjustments help to release the tension in your body and alleviate those headaches.
• Boosting Immunity: The nervous system controls many of the functions in our bodies, a misalignment can constrict and put pressure on the spinal nerves that cause inefficiencies and overwork; an adjustment frees the immune system so that it can fight off any illnesses and bacteria.

How Does My Body React After an Adjustment?

Many people ask the question about getting addicted to adjustments because they are unaware of how they may react after getting one. Also, they may have heard that friends go to the chiropractor every few weeks and not understand why. Addiction is different from frequency. Just as you brush your teeth, take a shower, etc. you may get adjustments.

The number and frequency of adjustments you may get will depend on how you feel, and how you view the treatment as a part of your overall health. Most people will choose to continue getting adjusted after a car accident because they know that it positively affects their mood, helps alleviate pressure after long workdays and they get better sleep.

Every individual is different, so what works for your friend, may not work for you. You may get 10 adjustments over 3 months and feel better. Your friend may get an adjustment every other month continuously – everyone is different and that’s okay.

How Do I Find the Right Chiropractor?

Just like you would do research and get advice from people you know for a new doctor or dentist, you should do the same for your new chiropractor. Be sure that you feel comfortable, that they have the required and accredited training, and that they are trusted by others in the community.

Depending on your physician, they will be able to point you in the right direction or ask colleagues for recommendations. Don’t just go to the first chiropractor you see or find – this is a medical treatment you are pursuing, so you need to make sure it’s right for you.

What Kind of Training Do Chiropractors Undergo?

Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, as well as a state license to practice. Most programs will take 4 years to complete, post-graduate.

To be licensed, chiropractors must pass all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners test. All states require practicing chiropractors to take continuing education classes to maintain the status of their license.

You can easily go online and check the board-certified status of your chiropractor on your state’s website. Every chiropractor goes through an extensive education process to complete their degree, and when they are certified, you can trust that they know exactly what they are doing when you get your adjustment.

Related Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Go To The Chiropractor?

You can expect to pay between $50 and $75 for an adjustment. If you have received a written referral from your medical physician, there is a chance insurance may cover it (up to a certain number) if it is considered to be for a medically diagnosed issue. 

Many insurance policies do not cover chiropractic treatments because it is still considered to be “elective.” Though they are becoming more popular, you will likely need to pay for the visit out of pocket. If you’re worried about how expensive this can get, talk to your doctor. Some physicians will be willing to work with you to figure out what you need to do to get insurance to help.

How Long Do Adjustment Sessions Take?

Most full-body adjustments take about 30 minutes. Introductory visits will take a little bit longer. Your chiropractor works with you to figure out the best treatment regimen. After you’ve visited a few times, you can expect to be in and out of the office in half an hour. 

Adjustments are meant to be relaxing even though your body is being manipulated. Your chiropractor will walk and talk you through every step. They will explain what they are doing and what you can expect to feel or hear. When you experience significant pain or discomfort after a session, communicate with your Chiropractor. It is important to talk to your chiropractor and your doctor to ensure everything is as it should be.