Many people who come to see a chiropractor for the first time may be doing so as a “treatment of last resort.” They may have been to dozens of other doctors, tried a myriad of treatments, and had numerous diagnoses, none of which seem to have provided any relief for their condition. In addition, many patients have been given inaccurate information about chiropractic adjustments and may be approaching the adjusting table with a small amount of trepidation. This is why it is particularly important to advise patients about the possible side effects of a chiropractic adjustment. Patients need to understand that, while they may feel worse for the first day or two after an adjustment, it is actually a sign of healing. This can help alleviate patient anxiety.

Feeling Feverish after an Adjustment

Feeling feverish is one of the side effects patients may experience following a chiropractic adjustment. In almost all cases, this should only last for 24 hours. If it does last longer than that, please contact Dr. Nathen Horst’s office immediately to schedule a follow up visit.

Part of the reason for this is due to the process of correction for the spine from an adjustment. The spine holds a great deal of stress and tension. This can manifest as the nagging back or neck ache that brings patients in to see Dr. Horst. Over time, all that stress and tension can result in toxins building up in the spine. The adjustment releases the stress and tension on the spine, thus releasing the toxins. This toxin release is what can result in a short-term fever following an adjustment. It is a natural part of the body letting go of stress and tension.

The Body’s Natural Response

An easy way to think of this process is to imagine what it feels like when first waking up after having slept on the arm so that it is numb. When the body shifts position, so that pressure is no longer being placed on the nerves leading to the arm, there may be a very unpleasant, prickly, sensation of pins and needles. While this sensation can cause pain, it is only temporary, and will soon abate once full feeling has been restored to the arm.

When an adjustment is made, it affects more than just the spine. Muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and organs must all adapt to the adjusted alignment of the spine. This is a perfectly natural process that the body undergoes.

Dr. Horst recommends that patients who experience a fever following a chiropractic adjustment rest and keep hydrated as much as possible. Fortunately, the more adjustments that are done, the less severe the side effects are likely to be each time. There is also the added benefit of the body being able to hold the adjustments for a longer period of time. Chiropractic adjustments can help, so long as patients listen to what their body is telling them and give it time to heal. Contact Horst Chiropractic today.