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Chiropractic Adjustments
The main treatment method of chiropractors is the "chiropractic manipulative therapy" or commonly referred to as an "adjustment".
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An adjustment is gentle, specific pressure delivered to a Vertebral Subluxation, correcting neurological interference.
The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to correct the spinal subluxations detected during the examination. To do that, the doctor applies pressure to the bone and "unlocks" it from it's improper position. Then biomechanical restoration is achieved.
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Spinal joints that aren’t moving correctly can choke or irritate nearby nerves. Chiropractic adjustments add motion to these joints, reducing nervous system distruption. Then, health can return. | |
The adjustment is usually done by hand. It consists of placing the patient on a specially designed adjusting table and applying pressure, using specialized techniques, to the areas of the spine that are out of proper alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion. During an adjustment the joint is moved past its passive range of motion but not past its anatomical limit. | |
An audible "pop" is often associated with the procedure, which is the consequence of gasses being released within joint fluid. Since every patient is unique, each treatment and each adjustment is unique as well. Your age, size and individual spinal problems will determine which adjustment technique will best put you on the road recovery. |
An adjustment, in physiologic terms, removes the blockage of nerve impulses caused by subluxation or other stresses to allow the body to function naturally.
Find out for yourself by scheduling a no-obligation consultation to discuss your problem.
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Will adjustments make my spine too loose? |
| No. Only the spinal joints that are "locked up" receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
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Can I adjust myself? |
| No. Some people can make their joints "pop," but that's not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific to locked up, non-moving joints.
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Are chiropractic adjustments safe? |
| Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. Compare the statistics. Adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
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What does an adjustment feel like? |
Chiropractic doctors are trained in making adjustments feel comfortable. Different people have different reactions depending on their condition (i.e. presence of swelling and inflammation), the amount of time the condition has existed and the person's degree of sensitivity. Many people however will feel the following:
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Peace and relaxation:
After an adjustment you may experience a feeling of deepening peace and relaxation. This relaxed feeling may last for the rest of the day or the week and may lead to deep refreshing sleep. Others have at times felt a warm feeling flowing to various parts of their bodies which is very soothing. Some feel very energetic and do all their chores or business that day with a light, happy feeling.
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Relief of symptoms:
Others may find that their symptoms have begun to disappear, that the problems that they came to the chiropractor for have begun to lessen after the first visit. And, there are some people who feel no difference after an adjustment. That does not necessarily mean that they are not benefiting from their adjustments, it just means that they're not feeling any external reaction.
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Overall improvement:
As you continue your chiropractic care and your spine and nervous system continue to release deep seated stress, you may begin to notice better balance, smoother movement, and as a result, more energy. Awareness of your body stress. More emotional relaxation. You may spontaneously change your eating habits, feel an increased desire to exercise, go for walks or become more sensitive to your work and leisure.
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The most important benefits:
However, with all the interest in what is consciously perceived, please remember that the true benefits of the adjustment are usually found below the level of consciousness. It is when the nerve communication to the heart, lungs, joints, skin, eyes, ears and the brain itself are improved that the true benefits of chiropractic are experienced. The true benefits of chiropractic care are the preventive benefits: better night sleep, more energy and better nerve system function.
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Does the chiropractic adjustment hurt? |
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Normally the adjustment not only is painless, but also can provide immediate relief. In cases of recent trauma or severe symptoms, there can be some discomfort due to inflammation. In cases of inflamation, there is sometimes mild soreness in the muscles after the first 1-2 adjustments. This is a similar feeling as if you just started a new workout program. Proper application of ice after the treatment helps to minimize this affect.
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Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery? |
| Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
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Why do children need chiropractic care?
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| If you understand how we get subluxations, you will realize that it can take years to repair damages that you received as a child. So if children are checked regularly further damage can be avoided and health maintained. Think of how many falls and bumps and stumbles children receive. Children with conditions such as earaches, colic, bed wetting, scoliosis, "growing pains", torticollis, and asthma respond wonderfully to chiropractic care.
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Can patients with osteoporosis receive chiropractic care?
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| Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many gentle ways to adjust the spine. The method selected will be best suited to your age, size and condition.
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How many adjustments will I need?
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| The number of adjustments vary with each patient and their individual goals. Many patients sense progress within two to four weeks of frequent visits. In general, the more chronic a condition, the longer it will take to recover, sometimes months or years depending on the amount of existing spinal damage.
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How well trained is a chiropractor?
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Doctors of Chiropractic undergo a very comprehensive education and training program. As with medical school, entrance to Chiropractic college requires that students first complete an undergraduate university degree. Successful applicants to Chiropractic college must complete an intensive four year academic program, which is similar in content to medical school. Course work includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, orthopedics, neurology, radiology (x-ray), chiropractic technique and more. This prepares chiropractors to be skilled primary contact Health Care Providers, so that no referral is required.
A particular focus of chiropractic education is on the diagnosis and treatment of nerve, muscle and joint (neuromusculoskeletal) disorders in order to reduce pain and discomfort, stimulate healing, restore normal biomechanics and nerve function, and improve overall health. Students undergo hundreds of hours of training in spinal adjustment. Since an emphasis is placed on holistic health, students receive extensive training in exercise, nutrition, disease prevention and wellness. Chiropractic students are trained to recognize conditions which are beyond the chiropractor's scope of practice and which require referral to another practitioner.
To ensure that graduating doctors of chiropractic are equipped with the highest level of practical education, skills and clinical experience, part of a chiropractor's training involves several hundred hours of internship in which they treat patients on an outpatient basis while under the supervision of experienced clinicians.
Upon graduation, chiropractors are required to pass rigorous national and state board exams in order to receive a license to practice chiropractic in that state. Once licensed, chiropractors attend continuing education programs in order to maintain a high level of clinical competency and technical skill.
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