When you think about going to the chiropractor, you might think of chiropractic adjustments or a natural approach to treating your injuries or health conditions. Some people also associate chiropractic adjustments with cracking or popping sounds your joints can make when you see a chiropractor. Popping or cracking joints might sound alarming, but it is actually a natural thing and a sign that a buildup of gases around the joint has been released.
While some people can experience these popping sounds during a chiropractic adjustment, it doesn’t happen to everyone, and neither do other phenomena like toxins released after a chiropractic adjustment. A toxic release can also sound alarming, but it can actually be a good thing.
Here’s what you need to know about toxic release from chiropractic adjustments and what you can expect after a visit to the chiropractor.
What Is Chiropractic Adjustment Toxic Release?
Chiropractic adjustments involve a chiropractor using their hands or a specialized device to apply controlled force to a joint gently and effectively. Chiropractors identify misalignments in the spine and joints that might be disrupting healthy functioning and restore healthy alignment with techniques like chiropractic adjustments. In some cases, people may experience what chiropractors refer to as a toxic release after a chiropractic adjustment.
Detoxification and Your Spinal Cord
Toxic release means that a chiropractic adjustment has helped to release a buildup of toxins in the body, specifically the spinal cord. These toxins can come from stress, tension, and even the environment. While the body has built-in mechanisms to detoxify, chiropractic adjustments can help promote that process.
How Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Release Toxins?
Misalignments in the spine and joints are also known as subluxations. These subluxations can interfere with healthy nerve functioning and cause pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Subluxations can occur for a number of reasons, including a recent injury, a buildup of tension, inflammation, and more.
Your chiropractor will identify the root cause of these subluxations and address the issue at the source with all-natural, non-invasive techniques like chiropractic adjustments. When chiropractic adjustments correct a subluxation or misalignment, it can kickstart the body’s natural release of toxins stored in the body.
A buildup of toxins in the body can prevent effective communication to and from the brain through nerves located throughout the body. Interferences with messages between the brain and your body can result in unhealthy functioning. One of the benefits of chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments is the possibility of releasing toxins safely and naturally.
Just like with the popping sounds that may occur with an adjustment, you may also experience an immediate sense of relief with this natural way to detoxify your body. Chiropractic adjustments help your body return to its optimal state of functioning.
What Toxins are Released After Chiropractic Adjustment?
When people hear the phrase “toxic release,” it can raise eyebrows, but in the context of chiropractic care, it’s a natural part of your body’s healing process. Once spinal pressure is relieved, blood and lymph flow more freely—flushing toxins from the affected areas and reactivating the nervous system’s natural healing functions. While these aren’t “toxins” in the traditional sense (like environmental poisons), they’re substances your body needs to eliminate to function optimally.
Here are some examples of what might be released during a chiropractic adjustment:
- Lactic acid: Builds up in muscles under stress; its release can cause temporary soreness or fatigue.
- Carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases: Released from synovial joints, sometimes producing the familiar “crack” or “pop” sound.
- Metabolic waste: Byproducts from the body’s natural processes, often stored in muscle tissue or surrounding joints.
- Stress hormones: Like cortisol, which can accumulate during prolonged periods of anxiety, tension, or injury.
What Happens When Toxins Are Released After a Chiropractic Adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments triggering the release of toxins is generally considered to be a good thing. However, in addition to the benefits of toxic release, there are also some possible side effects to be aware of afterward.
Benefits of Toxic Release
Benefits of the toxic release include a healthy overall improvement in the body. Chiropractic adjustments encourage toxins that may gather around the spine and joints to disperse so that healing can begin. The release of toxins through chiropractic adjustments can also result in pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved range of motion. A toxic release can also prompt the body’s natural immune system response so that an injured area can receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients it needs to recover.
Possible Side Effects
Toxic relief symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, fever, nausea, dizziness, muscle tightness, night sweats, or gastrointestinal distress. Not everyone will experience the possible side effects of toxic release. However, some people report noticing flu-like symptoms after a chiropractic adjustment when the toxins get released and eliminated from the body. These possible side effects will quickly improve, and you can talk to your chiropractor if you have any questions or concerns.
Symptoms of Toxic Release After Chiropractic Adjustment
Symptoms of toxic release after chiropractic adjustment may include the following:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Muscle tightness
- Night sweats
- Gastrointestinal distress
Not everyone will experience the possible symptoms of toxic release after chiropractic adjustment . However, some people report noticing flu-like symptoms and feeling sick with nausea after a chiropractic adjustment when the toxins get released and eliminated from the body. These possible side effects will quickly improve, and you can talk to your chiropractor if you have any questions or concerns.
How Long Does Toxic Release Last After a Chiropractic Adjustment?
For most people, symptoms of toxic release after a chiropractic adjustment can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. The duration can vary depending on your body’s current state, hydration levels, and how frequently you receive chiropractic care. If you’re new to chiropractic adjustments, your body may take a bit longer to adjust.
What to Do When Experiencing Toxic Release After Chiropractic Adjustment
If you happen to be someone who experiences toxic release after a chiropractic adjustment, there are several things you can do to manage these symptoms.
Drink Lots of Water
The first thing to do after any chiropractic adjustment is to focus on staying hydrated. The body requires healthy hydration to flush out toxins and promote healing in the body. Chiropractic adjustments encourage healthy blood flow to the affected area, which brings a rush of oxygen and nutrients. Drinking water helps replenish what the body uses during the healing process and makes sure your muscles and tissues have the hydration they need for healthy mobility.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Make sure you take time to rest after chiropractic adjustments. Whether you are recovering from a recent injury or managing a specific health condition, getting enough sleep is always important for your overall health and wellness. If you experience any symptoms of toxic release after a chiropractic adjustment, getting plenty of sleep for the next few days can help these side effects run their course.
Exercise Regularly
Chiropractors take a holistic view of your health and wellness, and that includes focusing on your physical fitness. When you exercise regularly, your joints stay lubricated, and your muscles stay loose. Regular exercise can include walking, yoga, and other low-impact activities that help you stay active in whatever way works best for you and your lifestyle. Your chiropractor can also recommend stretches or exercises to try that would work well in between treatment sessions.
Eat Healthy
A healthy diet also impacts how your body heals and its overall functioning. Making healthy choices with food and drink can go a long way to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You may also want to avoid certain foods after a chiropractic adjustment, including processed foods and foods high in carbohydrates and sugars. Focus on drinking beverages that will actually hydrate you, like water, and avoid drinks that can actually dehydrate you, like coffee or caffeinated beverages.
From Toxic Release to Total Relief: Your Recovery Starts Here
If you’re suffering from toxic release after chiropractic adjustments, remember that the nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms are short-term effects are often signs that your body is healing and flushing out toxins naturally. Our experienced chiropractors take a personalized, whole-body approach to care. So whether you’re dealing with pain, tension, or the side effects of toxic release, you’re in good hands.
Visit a chiropractor near you to get started on an all-natural approach to pain relief and improved mobility with chiropractic care. Our chiropractors provide individualized treatment plans that include chiropractic adjustments and other effective techniques to help you experience lasting relief.
With pain and injury clinics across Texas, Central Austin to Lubbock, we have you covered! Book an appointment online or visit a ProCare clinic near you to get started with safe, effective chiropractic care that puts your health first.
