If you’re new to chiropractic care, you’ve probably spent some time preparing yourself for your first visit. If so, you may have heard of toxic release. After your first chiropractic adjustment, you may experience slight cold or flu-like symptoms. It’s not because the chiropractic practice did something wrong or because your treatment was counterintuitive. The symptoms of toxic release can be concerning, but the truth is that it’s not something to be worried about.
Toxic Release: What Is It?
Roughly 20% of patients experience the symptoms of toxic release after a chiropractic adjustment, so while it’s not entirely common, it’s also not unusual. Trapped metabolic waste (toxins) is being released by chiropractic manipulations, which is great news! With that great news comes a slight downside: Expelling the toxins in the body can result in some unpleasant, albeit temporary symptoms. Fortunately, you can take comfort in the fact that your body is adjusting to the removal of toxins, and the pesky side effects will soon fade.
What Are the Symptoms of Toxic Release?
It’s important to note again that roughly 8 out of every 10 people who get a chiropractic adjustment will not experience the symptoms of toxic release. But if you do experience this condition, symptoms can include fatigue, headache, night sweats, tight muscles, and diarrhea. It is also entirely normal to experience a temporary wave of exhaustion while your central nervous system recalibrates to your newly corrected spinal alignment. Before an adjustment, the nervous system is usually blocked by subluxations. With the use of chiropractic treatment, the subluxations are removed, and nerves function optimally, which can temporarily cause fatigue as your body shifts into a relaxed, healing state.
The Truth About Toxic Release
The body is reacting to chemical signals between the spinal cord and the brain all day long. When this vital nerve communication is disrupted because of subluxations (also known as dysfunctions of the spine), daily action is slowed down. Clearing the blockages and interruptions allows nerve signaling to return to its optimal speed, but it means the body needs an adjustment period, leaving it feeling tired and even under the weather.
Imagine your nervous system is like a garden hose. When there’s a kink in the hose, water gets jammed up and cannot flow. This also applies to the nervous system. If there is a subluxation present in your spine, it causes pressure to build up by blocking the flow of energy. That pressure then causes many ailments, including headaches and chronic issues. Once that pressure is released with chiropractic care, the renewed flow of energy can cause some cold-like symptoms. Fortunately, this detoxifying response is very short-lived, and you will soon begin to experience the true restorative benefits of your treatment.
To learn more about what to expect during your first chiropractic adjustment, just ask! Contact our friendly and experienced chiropractic professionals.
