Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for pain and injury.Chiropractors perform 95 percent of all adjustments in the world to correct the subluxations, or misalignments, of the vertebrae in the spine. Chiropractic adjustments are performed by applying gentle, yet firm pressure to a bone. The goal of any adjustment is to restore the bone to its natural, or original, position. The adjustment will allow the vertebrae to return to normal alignment.
Chiropractic adjustments are performed to treat a wide variety of conditions, including (but not limited to):
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain disorders
- Chronic muscle pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Most musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries
- Nerve disorders
- Pain and stiffness in the back, chest, abdomen, neck, hips and shoulders, as well as extremities, such as arms, legs, and feet
- Sciatica pain
- Scoliosis
- Tendonitis
- Whiplash and other traumatic injuries
Adjustments can be performed while sitting, standing, or lying down. Some adjustments involve special instruments or tables.
Some common adjustment techniques include:
- Instrument adjustments , which involve a spring-loaded device called an Activator.
- Lumbar roll , in which the chiropractor applies a firm, yet quick thrust to a misaligned vertebra while the patient lies on his or her side.
- Motion palpation , a hand technique the chiropractor uses to determine if your vertebrae are properly aligned.
- Release work , in which the chiropractor uses gentle pressure with the fingers to separate the vertebrae.
- Table adjustments , which entail lying on a specially designed table that drops when pressure is applied to a specific area. The dropping motion allows more gentle adjustments than some manual adjustments do.
- Toggle drop , which entails firm pressure applied on a specific area of the spine by using crossed hands.
- Trigger point therapy, a gentle release of muscular spasms.
Chiropractors take many factors—including size, weight, and muscle structure—into consideration when deciding on which adjustment to make. Sometimes, ice, electrical stimulation, or massage therapy (including traction massage) are used prior to a spinal manipulation in order to relax the muscles.
Adjustments are painless and help restore the normal position of the vertebrae, releasing pressure on the nerve roots, and increasing mobility and flexibility.Adjustments can leave you with a greater sense of well-being, calm, and most importantly, on the road to a life without pain. Following an adjustment, some patients experience mild aching or soreness in their spinal joints or muscles, which can usually be relieved by an ice or heat pack.
Adjustments have been shown to:
- Increase blood flow
- Increase pain tolerance levels
- Increase range of motion
- Increase the body's secretion of "good" chemicals, such as melatonin and endorphins
- Reduce blood pressure
- Reduce tension and muscle pressure