If you’re someone who regularly works out, there’s almost no need to assert the fact that you care about your body’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a runner, lifter, yoga enthusiast, cyclist, or love any other fitness pursuit, your exercise routine is an integral part of your life, giving you a sense of purpose and accomplishment every day. However, sometimes your body needs a maintenance day. 

Athletes get injuries of all levels of severity and treat them using various methods, including physiotherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. The last thing you want is to have your workout routine broken by your chiropractic adjustment session. We’ve put together answers to several FAQs about scheduling workouts around your chiropractic adjustment. 

Should I Go To The Chiropractor Before or After Working Out?

This is one of the main dilemmas people have surrounding exercise and chiropractic adjustments. There are logical arguments to be made on both sides, but only one correct behavior to adopt for your lifestyle. 

Some people think that exercise before makes the most sense because you get your workout in before your chiropractic adjustment, and then you can recover from both at the same time.
Others think that exercise after is the way to go because it ensures that you don’t exacerbate the injuries or issues that you’re going to the chiropractor for in the first place. 

So which one of these is correct? Medical professionals agree that the second option, working out after your chiropractic adjustment, is the healthy choice. Working out before seeing your
chiropractor actually can worsen your spinal condition so keep this in mind when booking your next adjustment!

When is it Healthy to Exercise After Chiropractic Adjustment?

Depending on the severity of the issue you’ve sought chiropractic care for, and how you’re feeling after your adjustment, it’s actually fine to work out on the same day of your adjustment. The one thing about which there is little consensus is how long you should wait between your adjustment and workout. While some chiropractors say it’s alright to work out as soon as 30 minutes after your session, others believe that it’s important to leave a little more time, to allow your spine and muscles to settle. A good rule of thumb is if your adjustment is in the morning or early afternoon, an evening workout should be fine, while if your adjustment is in the late afternoon or evening, wait until the next day to exercise. 

What About Weight Training After Chiropractic Adjustment?

While most stretching or cardio exercises seem intuitively fine to do after a chiropractic
adjustment, weightlifters are often more uncertain about when it’s fine to get back in the gym. The key thing to focus on here is your pain level. The above time suggestions apply to all
exercises, even weightlifting, so be open to what sensations you feel while lifting, and always
listen to your body. If your pain threshold goes above a 2 or 3 out of 10, it’s probably time to shut it down for the day. 

No matter what kind of exercise you love, chiropractic adjustment can be beneficial for your body’s overall strength, conditioning, and wellness. Contact Petett Chiropractic today, to book a chiropractic adjustment with our team of caring and compassionate professionals!