Frequently asked questions

The doctor in me is running a differential list a mile long when I think about this question. I am going to run through a few of the thoughts that come to mind when I think about all the reasons that you might hurt after treatment with your chiro: Fracture - it is possible to break a rib (for example) after an adjustment Strain - it is possible to strain a muscle or tendon at your chiros office, that may happen just rolling around on our tiny table or it may happen if we overstretch a tendon during treatment. Sprain - just like overstretching a tendon/muscle (strain) can happen it is possible to overstretch a ligament. Bruising - it is possible that small vessels might break during some types of soft tissue therapy (think about the big circles you see on your buddies back after cupping). That may lead to pain after treatment. You broke up with your partner - yup a significant social event can absolutely lead to an increase in pain. You are worried - fear of movement can make pain worse, this is called kinesiophobia. Catastrophizing - we know that if we are worried about all the things that can go wrong and all the things that I might not be able to to ever again and what happens if this back pain never goes away, and I can never go back to work? etc... all of these world ending kind of thoughts can make pain worse. This list is meant to only give you a tiny taste of the things that will run through my mind if you come to me and tell me you hurt more after treatment. It also might be as simple as sometimes we take a step back before we take the 2 steps forward. Either way head back to your chiro and let them know that you are more sore, and lets work together to figure out what may have happened. And know that more sore after treatment doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong.