Why do Chiropractors tell you to apply ice after an adjustment?

Question

I had my first visit to one today and he gave me these instructions to follow. He also wants to see me 3 times a week. Is this standard procedure? I'm 19 weeks pregnant too. Thanks

Answer 1

Ice helps with pain from nerve problems and also for some muscle problems.  

Three times a week may not be right for you.  I would ask for a treatment plan and if you don't get one, go to another chiro.  PS I use a chiro and strongly advocate the use of them, but they should be reasonable in how often they want to see you.  What is your diagnosis?  Ask for that--again if you don't get an answer go elsewhere.  They can be VERY effective.  

Answer 2

The ice is to reduce the chances of injury resulting from incompetence, a common problem for chiropractors.  They tell you to come three times a week because they get paid for every time you visit.  Notice how there is no end to the treatments?  For nearly every ailment a real doctor will eventually finish treatment, but a chiropractor never will.  They're snake oil salesmen, that's all.

Answer 3

They say sometimes that you'll be sore after an adjustment... It's happened to me before but I didn't use ice.  3 times a week sounds like a lot, but it usually goes to once a week or every 2 weeks after you get aligned.  I went to the chiro throughout my whole pregnancy and it made me feel so much better.  

Answer 4

Whenever you have a chiropractic adjustment, the tissues are stretched and moved around in a traumatic way - not necessarily severe, but traumatic nontheless. Thisw causes the tissues to swell, even if only a small amount, so the ice is to help relieve the swelling more quickly and decrease the irritation in the tissues.  

Answer 5

It would be to reduce any swelling and also help ease any pain you may feel.

3 times a week? Thats an awful lot of "adjusting" I would be wondering what his motives are...you could'nt possibly need that many treatments.

Answer 6

If I were you, I would question the frequency of his adjustments, specially if your are pregnant. In addition, I hope he didn't take any X-rays. Did you tell him that you are pregnant. You didn't say what type of adjustments he did, however, some strenuous manipulations could be hazardous, so, proceed wih caution if you decide to continue.

If you are having discomforts, i would suggest you see a physical trainer who is more experienced in working with ladies during pregnangy, including designing an exercise programthat would be more appropriate for you.  It would be much more effective and signifidantly less  espensive and potentially harmful to your unborn child.

Answer 7

I don't know why your Chiropractor told you to use ice, but when I've been directed by mine to do so, it is usually to prevent or help bring down swelling in the treated areas.  

I would say the best thing to do when a chiropractor, doctor or other health care professional gives you instructions and you want to know the reason why, ask them the reason!  That way you'll know. :)  

My experience with Chiropractors is they often want to see you a fair amount at first and then you end up going less for what they often call "maintenance".  

Answer 8

MOST chiropracters will not work on a pregnant woman...NEVER heard of applying ice after an adjustment.

Repetitive adjustments make sense..train your muscles to do the correct thing and be in the right place....have to retrain your muscles...HUGS!!

Answer 9

Icing treated areas is used to encourage more blood to the area. Fresh blood oxygenates the area while helping carry away damaged cells faster.

Many chiropractors are taught to 'sell' a series of 10 visits to a patient; some physical therapists are taught 3X a week visits are needed to get well; some MDs have patients return often, too. It's getting more difficult nowadays to know who is sincere & honest...

You're in your 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy. Be careful in exercising & eating properly. Follow the directions given you by the doctor following you in your pregnancy; it's important to you AND your child. ASK if you have any questions; don't wait.

Answer 10

The ice is to stop any swelling.  The three times a week is standard.  However they never seem to realize that it may not be practical for people who have to work for a living.

Answer 11

I was told that the ice will set the bones where it is and then take the swelling down wakes up kinda  

Answer 12

Everyone who said that Chiropractors shouldn't work on pregnant women obviously don't know what they're talking about. Don't speak out of ignorance and impose your opinion on someone who's sincerely asking a question.

Chiropractic is perfectly safe for pregnant women; we have many patients who are expecting. Obviously there's a more gentle degree to the visits, but it's perfectly safe for the mom and the baby. My doctor actually turned a breach baby around for a patient a few days before she had the baby.

Some Chiropractors say put ice on there because it helps relax the muscles and hold the adjustment longer.

The three times a week is normal. What a lot of people don't realize is that Chiropractic is a way to stay healthy. Most people go only when they're in pain. But it actually is a good way to stay properly aligned if you go on a regular basis. The three times is to get your pain levels down. Then it's two times a week, then once, etc. Once he gets your pain levels down the doc will only see you every once in a while for "PRN" care, or as needed.

So all these people that say that you should look into how frequent he wants to see you, obviously don't know how chiropractic works.

Hope that helps! :)