One idea that patients who work with a chiropractor on a regular basis usually fail to remember is that they should take it easy on their back for up to a few days after the spinal manipulations have been worked. This is to give the joints and connective tissues a few days to recover after the treatment.
Although chiropractic treatments are not as invasive as drug therapy or surgery, there is still a good deal of physical manipulation going on throughout the appointment, and people need to be prepared to recover afterwards. Without this time for taking it easy on their backs and necks, clients may just make things worse, straining a tendon or ligament in the process.
This may be one reason why chiropractors may recommend that their clients do not take part in strenuous physical activities while they are going in for treatments weekly or more often. Engaging in a physical fitness routine may simply result in a pulled back muscle if exercise is done too soon after an appointment.