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What to expect the first time you go to the chiropractor?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 23, 2026

Your first visit will likely involve an adjustment. This is a quick and painless process most of the time. You will lie on a table and the chiropractor can push, pull, or twist sections of your body to identify and repair any misalignments in your spine.

What can I expect from my first chiropractor?

Reactions following a chiropractic adjustment vary greatly from person to person. These may range from a great sense of exhilaration immediately following the adjustment, to a feeling of aching and soreness. The most common reaction to spinal manipulation is aching or soreness in the spinal joints or muscles.

How do you feel after your first chiropractic adjustment?

After a chiropractic adjustment, it's common to experience some of these sensations:

  1. you may feel relaxed or sleepy later that day and may experience a deep sleep.
  2. it is possible you may wake up feeling stiff in the area that was adjusted, a feeling similar to that of a post gym workout.
  3. you may feel more flexible.

How do I prepare for my first adjustment?

Before the appointment

  1. Eat a light meal or snack that's high in protein;
  2. Drink plenty of water and make sure you're well hydrated;
  3. Take a short walk or engage in activities that get you up and moving;
  4. Take note of pain or discomfort so you can relay them appropriately to a chiropractor;

Is it supposed to hurt when you go to the chiropractor?

There is little to no pain involved in an adjustment. You may feel pops and cracks, but you should not feel any intense pain. Typically, if you weren't in pain prior to the adjustment, you won't be after. Some chiropractic patients do experience some mild soreness or minor aches after a visit.

18 related questions found

How long after chiropractor will I feel better?

Amazingly, about two thirds of our patients report some improvement after the very first chiropractic adjustment. Most of the rest will be in the first one to three weeks, after several more treatments.

Is it normal to feel worse after seeing a chiropractor?

You may feel doubtful that your adjustment worked when you leave feeling sore- but this is actually very normal! If you feel worse after your appointment, there's no need to worry, and the good news is the discomfort will usually subside within 24 hours.

What do I wear to a chiropractor appointment?

Wear Something Comfortable

When you visit a chiropractor for an adjustment, your clothes should not restrict movement. You need to be able to lie down in them and move easily. Loose clothing makes this simpler. You can wear comfortable running shorts, yoga pants or leggings with a loose top or shirt.

Do you have to take off your clothes for a chiropractor?

For most routine chiropractic appointments, you won't need to remove any clothing. As long as nothing you're wearing is impeding your adjustments, your chiropractor should be able to perform them fully clothed.

Can you eat before going to the chiropractor?

It's good to eat a little bit before a session because low blood sugar could increase sensitivity to the treatment and cause you to feel faint. Don't, however, eat a heavy meal. For exercise, the reverse holds true. Prior to your session you can exercise as strenuously as you want.

Why do doctors not like chiropractors?

Historically, the medical associations have demonstrated resentment to any other community treating the ill. So first and foremost, it started out as a turf war. Secondarily, Medical Doctors don't really understand what Chiropractors do, as they were not trained in spinal manipulation techniques.

Why do I feel weird after chiropractic adjustment?

With this being said, if you find yourself feeling weird after a chiropractic adjustment, don't worry because it is all normal. It's just your body getting used to the changes. You'll bounce back quickly, feeling energized, empowered, and relaxed.

How do chiropractors know where to adjust?

Using our hands, we test the patient's response to pressure and manipulation, seeking trouble spots. We also look at your range of motion and gait as clues to determine where we need to work with your body to get you feeling better.

Is it normal to be tired after chiropractic?

Feeling extremely tired is quite common after a chiropractic session. This is because your body is adjusting to the way your nervous system is responding to treatment. Before your alignment, your nervous system was most likely jammed up by subluxations.

Should I wear a bra to the chiropractor?

You can remain fully clothed and comfortable, and it will not impede the chiropractic practice. Many women wonder if they can wear their bra to the chiropractor. You can. Wearing a bra, whether regular, strapless, or a sports bra, does not interfere with chiropractic treatment in any way.

Why do you need to drink water after a chiropractic adjustment?

After the adjustment, patients may feel some mild adverse effects such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headache. Due to the movement and stimulation of bones and muscles, toxins that have been building up are allowed to release in the body. Drink adequate water to remove these toxins from the body.

How much is a session with a chiropractor?

Each visit with a chiropractor can cost between $30 and $200 for the average person. Generally, intensive treatments are more expensive than something like an adjustment. In fact, adjustments are offered for between $50 and $75 each by most chiropractic offices.

How do Chiropractors relax you?

Focusing on your breathing and avoiding tensing your muscles can help you stay relaxed. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine prior to your appointments.

Can I go to the chiropractor while on my period?

Chiropractic adjustments can relieve symptoms of menstrual cycles, as well as regulate the frequency of menstrual cycles. Chiropractic care is also a natural, drug-free way to relieve bladder and bowel pain caused by PMS.

Can chiropractic release toxins?

Approximately 20% of chiropractic patients experience toxic release following an adjustment. It might sound a little scary, but it's actually a positive reaction to chiropractic treatment. Your body is releasing toxins due to spinal manipulations, which is a good thing.

What should I avoid after chiropractic adjustment?

After your adjustment, you don't want your body to immediately revert to the same position it was in. Avoid sitting for long periods of time after seeing the chiropractor, if possible, and enjoy the mobility that your adjustment has created by going for a long walk, or take a bike ride.

How long does it take to realign your spine?

The spine must spend more time in alignment than out of alignment, otherwise it will likely not stabilize as it should. We have found that for most patients this is best achieved by checking and correcting the spine 2 times per week until it is consistently stable for 1 week. For many adults this phase lasts 6-8 weeks.

How long are you sore after an adjustment?

If you do feel worse in the immediate aftermath of your adjustment, you can treat it in the way you would any other sore muscles. The good news is this pain will typically not last more than 24 to 48 hours. One of the best ways to help with sore muscles is by applying moist heat to the area.

How do you know if your body is out of alignment?

If your spine isn't aligned properly, you may be at increased risk of:

  1. chronic pain.
  2. joint stiffness.
  3. slouched posture.
  4. reduced range of motion.
  5. decreased mobility.
  6. discomfort when sitting, standing, and laying down.
  7. permanent joint and bone deformities.
  8. broken bones, especially in the spine.

Why do chiropractic adjustments feel so good?

Second, your brain releases endorphins, which give us the feelings of pleasure and euphoria. These endorphins also help block pain signals, and stick around a long time after the adjustment to help us keep feeling good. This, in a nutshell, is the basic science of why the adjustment feels so good.