Question
I tried a chiropractor for my lower back pain and have completed two sessions this week.  Each session consisted of 15 min of electric therapy and an adjustment.  My back is feeling a bit better but I have been feeling  very tired and "headachy"  My back is very tight from years of bad posture etc.  Is this a common side effect as your back loosens up and releases stress....or is something not quite right?

Answer
Karen,

Research indicates that most people with (uncomplicated) lower back pain will respond favorably to treatment within six treatment sessions, and those that feel better within a few sessions seem to have the best prognosis for resolve.  Further, it is not uncommon to have various adverse side effects from treatment, including odd aches or post-treatment soreness.  Headaches are not uncommon if your neck is being adjusted, or if you are laying in a compromised position while having a prolonged therapy such as electric stimulation.  I also want to add that E-Stim is pretty much a waste of your time and money since it is pretty well established that it does not fix anything.  There is a chance that the e-stim is irritating your muscles and causing headaches.  A little hands-on muscle massage before or after treatment, as well as hot pack post treatment, can help prevent post-treatment soreness and headaches.  Feeling tired after having any kind of "body work" is quite common, especially early in treatment.  Your DC should be able to benchmark your progress within six treatment sessions, and then determine if treatment is working well for you or not.  

'Hope this helps.  

Dr. G