What Is Toxic Release?

Are you preparing for your first chiropractic visit or your first visit in a while? If so, we want you to know about toxic release. After an adjustment, you may experience slight cold or flu-like symptoms. No, this isn’t because your chiropractor didn’t do a good job, but because of toxic release, which shows that chiropractic care is working. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Toxic Release?

Nearly 20% of chiropractic patients experience toxic release after getting an adjustment. It might sound scary, but it actually indicates a positive reaction to treatment. The toxins in your body are being released by manipulations, which is great news for your body! Unfortunately, expelling those toxins comes with some temporary and unpleasant symptoms. You can take comfort in the knowledge that your body is adjusting to the expulsion of that negative energy, and the symptoms will soon fade.

What Are the Symptoms?

Though toxic release is rare, it is possible that you may come down with a case after your chiropractic adjustment. Symptoms of toxic release include headache, fatigue, tight muscles, night sweats, and diarrhea. If you experience one or more of these side effects, reach out to us for additional guidance. In most cases, these symptoms will dissipate after just a few days. 

Feeling extremely tired is also quite common after a chiropractic session. This is because your body is adjusting to the way your nervous system is responding to treatment. Before your alignment, your nervous system was most likely jammed up by subluxations (aka dysfunctions of the spine). Chiropractic adjustments relieve these subluxations and allow for proper nerve function, and this can leave your body feeling tired for a day or two as everything gets back up to speed. 

Toxic Release 101

Your body is reacting to chemical signals between the brain and spinal cord all throughout the day. When that flow of energy is disrupted due to subluxations, that action is slowed down. Clearing those blockages and returning that flow of energy to its optimal speed results in an adjustment period for the body, causing it to feel tired and even sick.

Think about your nervous system a bit like a garden hose. When there’s a kink in the hose, the water is unable to flow. If there’s a subluxation in your spine, it blocks the flow of energy and causes pressure to build up. That pressure can result in a number of ailments, from headaches to chronic issues. When the pressure is released through spinal manipulations, that new flow of energy is what ends up causing those cold-like symptoms. The good news is that toxic release doesn’t last long, and it is an indicator that your chiropractic treatments are working!

To learn more about toxic release and how to prepare for your first chiropractic adjustment, contact our team at Williamsburg Chiropractic in Brooklyn, NY.