After joint manipulation

After joint manipulation the muscles and joints may feel sore for 1–2 days. The range of motion often feels different, and some people experience mild dizziness or tiredness on the first evening. Avoid heavy lifting and forceful twisting for 24 hours.

What is normal after the treatment

Soreness in the muscles and joints for 1–2 days
The range of motion feels different, either freer or more sensitive
Mild dizziness or tiredness on the first evening
Clicking sounds during movement over the following days

The first 24 hours

Do

Good posture and calm movement
Heat for muscle tightness
Normal daily movement

Avoid

Heavy lifting and forceful twisting for 24 hours
Manual treatment elsewhere for 48 hours, for example massage or a chiropractor
Extreme ranges of motion

Why the body looks for a new position

The treatment changes the range of motion of the joint quickly. The surrounding musculature and the nervous system's position sense do not update as fast — they need about 24 hours to adapt.

For this reason good posture and calm normal movement support the result better than either complete rest or heavy loading.

One thing that supports the result

Pay attention to your sitting posture for the rest of the day and stand up about once an hour. The new range of motion settles according to the positions you spend the following days in.

When to send a message

The soreness gets worse instead of decreasing within three days
A new radiating pain or numbness appears in a limb
The range of motion is clearly worse than before the treatment

+358 40 080 9393 · osteopaatti@anttilaine.fi

When to go to the emergency department

Call 112 if after treatment of the neck area you develop a sudden severe headache, a visual disturbance, slurred speech, strong dizziness or one-sided weakness. These are very rare, but they must be recognised and they require immediate assessment.

Frequently asked questions about joint manipulation aftercare

How long does the soreness last?

Typically 1–2 days. The soreness resembles muscle soreness after exercise and decreases day by day.

Why should I not have a massage right afterwards?

The joint and the musculature adapt to the change during the first two days. Another treatment of the same area disturbs this adaptation.

Does a click mean something?

Not as such. Sounds from a joint are common and on their own do not indicate a problem.

Can I do sports?

Normal light movement is fine. Heavy strength training, contact sports and forceful rotational movements are best moved to the next day.

Why am I dizzy?

Mild dizziness on the first evening relates to the updating of position sense and is passing. Strong or prolonged dizziness is a different matter — see the emergency instruction above.