Feeling tired after a chiropractic adjustment is completely normal and usually lasts 1-3 days. This fatigue happens because your body is adapting to the changes made during your treatment. Most people feel better within 24-48 hours, though some may experience tiredness for up to a week.

This guide will help you understand why you feel tired after your adjustment, how long it typically lasts, and what you can do to feel better faster. We’ll also cover when you should be concerned and how to make your recovery as smooth as possible.

Why Do You Feel Tired After a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Your Nervous System Is Adjusting

When you get a chiropractic adjustment, your body goes through several changes that can make you feel tired. According to the Mayo Clinic, fatigue is one of the mild side effects of a chiropractic adjustment. Your body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls bodily functions you don’t consciously operate, has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Research shows that cervical adjustments may result in parasympathetic responses, whereas thoracic adjustments result in sympathetic responses. When your parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it puts your body into “rest and digest” mode, which can make you feel sleepy or tired.

Your Body Is Releasing Stored Tension

Think of your muscles and joints like a sponge that has been squeezed tight for a long time. When the pressure is finally released, your body needs time to adjust to this new state. This process requires energy, which can leave you feeling drained.

Blood Flow Changes

Chiropractic adjustments improve blood flow throughout your body. The primary reason for this fatigue is the body’s response to the changes made during the session. Chiropractic adjustments involve applying controlled pressure on specific spinal joints or extremities to improve alignment. While this is good for your health, the sudden change in circulation can temporarily make you feel tired.

How Long Does Fatigue Last After Chiropractic Adjustment?

Typical Timeline

The fatigue generally lasts for a day or two, but tiredness can last up to a week for some people. Here’s what you can expect:

• First 24 hours: This is when fatigue is most common and intense
• Days 2-3: Most people start feeling more energetic
• Days 4-7: Any remaining tiredness should disappear

Factors That Affect How Long You Feel Tired

Your Health Condition

The severity of your condition plays a significant role in how your body reacts to chiropractic adjustments. More severe conditions often mean that your body has been compensating for a long period, creating imbalances and putting extra strain on various systems.

People with chronic pain often feel tired longer than those with recent injuries. If you’ve been dealing with back pain for months or years, your body may need more time to adjust.

Type of Treatment

Different types of chiropractic treatments can affect how tired you feel:

• Manual adjustments: May cause more fatigue initially
• Gentle techniques: Usually result in less tiredness
• Multiple adjustments: Can increase fatigue duration

Your Overall Health

Your general health plays a big role in how quickly you recover:

• Good nutrition: Helps your body bounce back faster
• Regular exercise: Improves your body’s ability to adapt
• Adequate sleep: Essential for recovery
• Stress levels: High stress can make fatigue last longer

What Is Toxic Release After Chiropractic Adjustment?

Understanding the Process

Nearly 20% of chiropractic patients experience toxic release after getting an adjustment. Studies show about 15-20% of chiropractic patients feel sick, tired, or sore after an adjustment. These feelings can last up to 72 hours.

“Toxic release” refers to the process where your body releases stored waste products and toxins from your tissues. When your chiropractor adjusts your spine, it can improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping your body flush out these substances.

Common Symptoms

If you experience toxic release, you might notice:

• Feeling tired or sluggish
• Mild headaches
• Muscle soreness
• Night sweats
• Flu-like symptoms
• Feeling emotionally sensitive

How Long Does Toxic Release Last?

Most symptoms last from 24 to 72 hours as the body processes and eliminates toxins. To answer our core question, “How long does toxic release last after a chiropractic adjustment?” it can generally last a few days up to a week.

What You Can Do to Feel Better Faster

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do after your adjustment. Water helps flush toxins from your system and keeps your muscles and joints working properly.

How much to drink: Aim for at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day after your adjustment.

Get Enough Rest

Your body does its best healing when you’re sleeping. Don’t feel guilty about taking a nap or going to bed early after your adjustment.

Sleep tips:

• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine
• Keep your bedroom cool and dark
• Avoid screens before bed

Eat Nutritious Foods

Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can also support your body’s natural detox processes. These foods are packed with vital nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your body’s ability to process and eliminate toxins.

Good foods to eat:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Lean proteins like chicken or fish
• Whole grains
• Healthy fats like avocado
• Anti-inflammatory foods like berries

Light Movement

While you shouldn’t do intense exercise right after your adjustment, gentle movement can help:

• Take a short walk
• Do some light stretching
• Try gentle yoga
• Move around every hour if you’re sitting

Use Heat or Ice

Applying heat or ice to sore areas can help reduce discomfort and speed up your recovery.

When to use heat: For muscle stiffness and tension When to use ice: For inflammation or swelling

When to Be Concerned About Fatigue

Normal vs. Concerning Symptoms

Most fatigue after chiropractic adjustments is normal and temporary. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Severe fatigue that lasts more than a week
• Extreme weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe headaches
• Nausea or vomiting that won’t stop
• Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs

Red Flags to Watch For

Serious complications associated with chiropractic adjustment are overall rare, but may include: A herniated disk or a worsening of an existing disk herniation.

Call your chiropractor immediately if you have:

• Sharp, shooting pain
• Loss of feeling in your arms or legs
• Severe dizziness
• Problems with coordination
• Worsening of your original symptoms

Tips for Your Next Chiropractic Visit

Before Your Appointment

To reduce the chance of fatigue after your next adjustment:

1. Eat a light meal 2-3 hours before your appointment
2. Stay hydrated throughout the day
3. Get a good night’s sleep the night before
4. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your visit
5. Wear comfortable clothes that allow easy movement

After Your Appointment

Many people feel almost immediate relief from symptoms after a chiropractic adjustment. After treatment, you might feel sore for 24 hours. The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore your health over the long term, rather than to relieve your symptoms short term.

Plan for rest and recovery by:

• Clearing your schedule for the rest of the day
• Having healthy snacks ready at home
• Preparing a comfortable place to rest
• Arranging for someone else to drive if needed

How Different Types of Adjustments Affect Fatigue

Cervical (Neck) Adjustments

Because of the proximity of the upper cervical vertebrae to the brainstem, parasympathetic influences dominate these segmental levels; and therefore, a cervical adjustment could likely result in a parasympathetic response (slowing down of heart beat, lowering of BP, constriction of pupils).

Neck adjustments often cause more relaxation and sleepiness because they activate your body’s rest response.

Thoracic (Mid-Back) Adjustments

Mid-back adjustments may cause less fatigue because they primarily affect the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for alertness and energy.

Lumbar (Lower Back) Adjustments

Lower back adjustments can cause moderate fatigue as they affect both nerve systems and involve large muscle groups.

The Science Behind Post-Adjustment Fatigue

Research Findings

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) interests many chiropractors and manual therapists, because joint manipulative techniques (JMT), e.g. high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulations and mobilizations, appear to produce acute changes in ANS mediated physiology.

Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments can:

• Change heart rate patterns
• Affect blood pressure
• Influence hormone levels
• Alter brain activity

Why Your Body Needs Time to Adjust

When your spine is realigned, your nervous system needs time to adapt to the new positioning. This process requires energy and can temporarily make you feel tired as your body works to establish new patterns of movement and function.

Supporting Your Recovery at Home

Create a Recovery Environment

Set up your home to support healing:

• Keep your bedroom cool and quiet
• Have water bottles easily accessible
• Prepare healthy snacks in advance
• Keep heating pads or ice packs handy

Gentle Activities That Help

While you’re recovering, try these gentle activities:

• Reading a book
• Listening to calm music
• Doing light household tasks
• Spending time in nature
• Practicing deep breathing

What to Avoid

During your recovery period, avoid:

• Intense exercise or heavy lifting
• Stressful activities
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Staying in one position too long
• Ignoring your body’s need for rest

Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Why Short-Term Fatigue Is Worth It

While you might feel tired after your first few adjustments, the long-term benefits of chiropractic care include:

• Reduced chronic pain
• Better sleep quality
• Improved mobility
• Enhanced athletic performance
• Better posture
• Reduced stress levels

Building Your Treatment Plan

Working with your chiropractor to create a personalized treatment plan can help minimize fatigue over time. As your body gets used to regular adjustments, you’ll likely experience less tiredness after each visit.

When to Schedule Your Next Appointment

Timing Considerations

Plan your chiropractic appointments when you can rest afterward:

• Best days: Friday afternoons or before weekends
• Avoid: Before important meetings or events
• Consider: Your work schedule and family commitments

Frequency of Visits

At HealthQuest Longevity, our chiropractic services are designed to restore balance, alleviate pain, and enhance overall well-being through natural, non-invasive care.

Your chiropractor will recommend a treatment schedule based on your specific needs. Initially, you might need more frequent visits, but as your condition improves, appointments may become less frequent.

Other Services That Can Help

Complementary Treatments

At HealthQuest Longevity, we offer several services that can work alongside your chiropractic care:

• Massage therapy: Helps reduce muscle tension and improve circulation
• Vitamin therapy: Supports your body’s natural healing processes
• Sciatica treatment: Specialized care for nerve pain

Integrated Approach

Our experienced chiropractors specialize in spinal adjustments, posture correction, and musculoskeletal alignment to improve mobility and relieve discomfort caused by injuries, stress, or chronic conditions.

Combining different treatments can help reduce fatigue and speed up your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Normal to Feel Tired After Every Adjustment?

No, most people only feel tired after their first few adjustments. As your body gets used to the treatments, fatigue typically decreases.

Can I Exercise After My Adjustment?

Light exercise like walking is usually fine, but avoid intense workouts for 24-48 hours after your adjustment.

Should I Take Time Off Work?

This depends on your job and how you feel. If possible, schedule appointments when you can rest afterward.

Will the Fatigue Get Better Over Time?

Yes, most people experience less fatigue with each subsequent adjustment as their body adapts to the treatments.

Final Thoughts

Feeling tired after a chiropractic adjustment is completely normal and usually lasts 1-3 days. This fatigue is actually a sign that your body is responding to the treatment and beginning to heal. While it might be uncomfortable at first, the long-term benefits of chiropractic care far outweigh this temporary tiredness.

Remember to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and listen to your body during your recovery. If you have any concerns about your symptoms or if fatigue lasts longer than a week, don’t hesitate to contact your chiropractor.

At HealthQuest Longevity, we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal health through natural, non-invasive care. Our experienced team understands that every person’s healing journey is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to start your journey to better health? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn how our comprehensive approach can help you feel your best.