Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations, are a procedure in which a joint is moved past its usual range of motion in daily life. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to improve the way your body functions and to alleviate pain or other symptoms.
Adjustments are most commonly made to joints in your spine, but also to joints of legs or arms. You may be treated by a chiropractor in order to correct such conditions as:
- Neck, back, shoulder, arm, hand, chest, leg, or foot pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Trauma, such as whiplash
- Scoliosis
- Sports injuries
- Repetitive strain disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Moving the joint beyond its range of motion sounds painful, doesn’t it?
In reality, the joint is not moved beyond the range of motion it is naturally designed to move in the body. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort, and the discomfort may be greater if there is significant inflammation or tension around the joint being corrected. However, chiropractic adjustments are rarely painful.
If you are new to chiropractic, you may have a harder time relaxing during the procedure than more experienced patients. If you stiffen or resist the adjustment, you may feel some discomfort. However as you get used to the procedures you should find not only that the discomfort decreases, but that you feel relief and a sense of well-being after the adjustment is completed.
During the procedure, you will be placed in a certain position to treat the affected areas. There may be popping or cracking noises during the adjustment, as the joint is moved. These noises are the result of the release of tiny pockets of gas during the procedure, which is completely normal. In fact, its the same thing that occurs when someone cracks their knuckles.
After the procedure, you may feel some soreness or aching in the muscles or spinal joints. If it occurs, this kind of discomfort usually happens within the first few hours of treatment and normally lasts no longer than 24 hours. Ice or cold pack is often recommendation to help reduce the symptoms and help you recover more quickly.
In closing, our office is known for gentle correction of the spine without harsh manipulation. This is possible with modern technology and advanced training. We are able to offer many different types of adjusting to benefit the patient and allow the widest variety of patient conditions respond most effectively. Call the office for more information and to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sooley
References:
Chiropractic Adjustment: What you can Expect. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiropractic-adjustment/MY01107
Reactions Following a Chiropractic Adjustment. http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/reactions-following-a-chiropractic-adjustment