A chiropractic manipulation is essentially an adjustment of the vertebra or bone in a specific line of drive, using a streamlined depth and amplitude to correct a misalignment or “subluxation.”  A chiropractic manipulation is only performed by a licensed, skilled Chiropractor with years of education. 

Misalignment

A Chiropractor determines a misalignment or subluxation by using static and kinetic palpation through the use of their own fingertips.  Once the subluxation is determined the Chiropractor will then choose the most appropriate technique fit for the area of the spine and the body type of the individual patient.  Certain body areas take much more force or less force depending on the underlying soft tissue and size of the bones themselves. 

Safe

The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to deliver high velocity low amplitude thrust in most cases.  This decreases the chances of injury and doesn’t allow the body’s muscles to react by splinting like a muscle spasm.  Chiropractors are proficiently trained in the art of manipulation with their hands by studying over 75 courses and 4,500 hours of instruction in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting.  Once they complete this feat, they must complete continuing education each year to retain their licensure in the state in which they practice.  This ensures the safety of the public and the competency of the practicing Chiropractor.  Moreover, a chiropractic manipulation is safe and effective when performed correctly but there can be associated risks with manipulation.  Some of the population believes that Chiropractors are known to cause strokes, which is entirely untrue.  Most individuals who suffer a stroke after a manipulation had the signs of the stroke prior to the manipulation and they weren’t read as red flags by the practicing doctor.     

There are many different choices available to patients who are seeking to find local board certified Chiropracters within their area. Each Chiropractor offers a different approach, and it’s vital that you do thorough research before you make your first appointment to be seen.  It’s essential that you only visit Chiropracters who are board certified.  Typically they will have an undergraduate degree with an additional 4 year Chiropractic degree. 

Licensed

Chiropracters can only be licensed within your state once they complete and pass their national boards or state examinations.  These examinations are extensive.  They consist of both practical examinations and written examinations.  The Chiropractor has to show that he or she can properly adjust a patient and complete all of the necessary written portions of the testing.  The written portions coincide with the anatomy and physiology of the body and other healthcare topics related to Chiropractic care.  Chiropracters are similar in that they all have to pass their board certifications within their state; however, their approaches to Chiropractic care and their schooling background can affect how they treat their patients.

Optional Treatments

Some Chiropracters believe in using additional resources such as acupuncture treatments, ultrasound treatments, water massage, traction devices or even electric machines that release a stream of currents.  Other Chiropractors will also assist in diet and health management.  They may offer a healthcare program to help with the patient’s nutritional needs.  It’s important to always call ahead to investigate whether the Chiropractor you are visiting also assists in these specific areas.  Traditionally Chiropractors will have an in-house table they perform adjustments on, along with a traction type of device.  Extra tools are optional and vary with each Chiropractor you see.

There are many different Chiropractors a patient can choose from.  It’s important that the patient do thorough research before choosing an existing Chiropractor in the area.  A patient should first consult with their primary doctor before considering any Chiropractor.  They generally have a good reference of who is creditable and reliable within your area.  Patients can also chose to get a Chiropractic referral from their friends or family within the area.  Referrals are another great way to ensure the Chiropractor is dependable and credible.  A patient can also call in to speak to the Chiropractor before they schedule the appointment.  The Chiropractor may be able to do a quick assessment over the phone and talk with the patient about what methods will be used before they come into the office.   Every Chiropractor is different.  Each Chiropractor will offer different techniques and manipulations within their office.   It’s important to ask questions about what other tools the Chiropractor uses on top of their regular adjustments.  You may need other equipment or techniques to treat your issues.  It’s always important to ask before you schedule your appointment.  Some Chiropractors only use the traditional traction devices with manipulation techniques, while others use other equipment such as moist heat packs and other medical devices.  In house medical devices are also often used to help correct scar tissue damage within the neck or spine.  Many patients that have experienced whiplash may have extreme scar tissue buildup.  The in-house device will help to correct this underlying issue.   Chiropractic care is a great treatment option for someone who is having neck, back or spinal related issues.  Chiropractic care shouldn’t be abused.  It’s important that the patient clarify what ailment they are suffering.  Beware of Chiropractors that forecast yearly treatment plans.  It’s vital that your treatment plan is unique to your issues, and it’s important that it is changed when you start to feel relief. 

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is often caused by injuries or a strain in the back muscle.  This type of pain can occur for weeks and even months.  Many individuals are seeking chiropractors for treatment as opposed to prescription drugs or surgery.  Chiropractic treatment for lower back pain is said to be just as effective as medical treatments.  Lower back pain will typically improve in several weeks.  There is no instant cure for back pain, but visiting a chiropractor can make a patient more comfortable during the healing process.  A chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation, is proven to relieve tension in the lower back and reduce sore or tight muscles.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is used to fix the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spine.  When misalignment occurs, the patient will begin to have restricted movement in the spine and back.  Chiropractors believe that restricted movement in the spine is the cause of back pain.  In order to treat the constrained spine, chiropractors use the spinal manipulation technique.  The goal is to improve mobility within the spine, resulting in decreased back pain.  During spinal manipulation, physicians will apply force to the joint with their hands.  The forced applied by the physician will push the spine beyond its typical range of motion.  This is a painless process, but it can cause mild discomfort for some patients. 

Chiropractic Adjustments are primarily given to patients who need adjustments within the spinal regions and back. Adjusting the body will also help to assist the chiropractor in correcting any underlying issues and subluxations within the back and neck.  Every chiropractor will adjust a patient differently. 

Different Techniques

There are hundreds of different adjustment techniques that can be applied to a patient to relieve their pain.  If the patient feels as if the treatments aren’t working, the chiropractor can incorporate other traction devices and equipment along with equipment used to assist in stretching the area.  It’s important that the patient understand that every chiropractor will be different.  They will offer the patient different in house equipment and treatment plans. One doctor may not believe in using traction devices and other equipment to help your pain, while other doctors may stand behind using alternate equipment before and after your adjustments. 

What to Expect

You may not be adjusted on your fist visit.  It’s important that the Chiropractor first asses the areas in which you feel pain, they must do a series of X-rays, take down your medical issues and come up with a tailored treatment plan.  Patients may also be asked to watch a short informational video on what their office does and offers, in most cases patients will be adjusted on the second visit. 

How it feels

Adjustments don’t usually hurt, if a patient experiences pain during the adjustment it will generally be very mild and weak.   Patients will typically feel slight pressure on the area in which they are being adjusted, often accompanied by a cracking sound.  This sound means the chiropractor is releasing air within the back or neck.  This is what will continue to make the noises heard during your adjustment. 

Massage

A patient may also chose to receive a massage before or after their treatment.  Most chiropractic offices also offer in house massage therapists to help them relax before or after their adjustments.

Chiro is short for the term Chiropractor.  A Chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in the musculoskeletal system of the body.  Chiropractors research and learn about how this system directly correlates with the nervous system.  Typically the nervous system is affected because there is an imbalance somewhere within the body.  A Chiropractor focuses on manipulating and realigning the areas that are out of balance within the spinal region of the body.  

Different Techniques

Each Chiropractor uses different tools and techniques to help the patient manage their pain effectively. Some chiropractors have traction equipment in house that helps to hold the adjustments and realign the neck and back.  Other Chiropractors incorporate stretching and alternative approaches to their practice.  Some use moist heat before the patient is seen, while other uses different electronic devices to measure imbalances within the body.  It’s important to always get a second opinion.  If your current Chiropractor isn’t offering much assistance a different Chiropractor may offer a different approach to your treatment.  Each Chiropractor is trained by a different school and may specialize in treating injuries that are related to whiplash or sports better than others. 

Treatments

Most Chiropractors and in house massage therapists are covered by insurances.  Chiropractic care is now standard for most insurance companies, and most people only have to pay a small co-pay to be seen by their Chiropractor or massage therapist within the office.  A Chiropractor can truly offer you lasting pain relief without prescribing you addictive pain medications or pricy gimmicks.  Chiropractors will offer the patient a more natural approach to treating their injury or pain.  In most cases you may have to be seen on a few visits a few times a month for maintenance and upkeep.

An adjustment is performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic to correct spinal subluxations.  The doctor carefully examines the patient using static and kinetic palpation to determine where restrictions are within the spine.  The doctor then delivers a specific thrust and line of drive to align the vertebra from its improper position.  The body will then be better able to heal itself from within, a process known as our Innate Intelligence. 

Benefits

An adjustment helps to relieve interference, or impingement on nerves, which disrupt proper nerve conduction to organs, ultimately causing pain and disease.  Chiropractors utilize many different techniques to deliver and adjustment and not all techniques are the same or used on all body parts. 

What to expect

Some adjustments require high velocity low amplitude thrusts while others require the opposite.  An adjustment can be performed with the patient many ways: seated, lying face down, lying face up, on their side, or on a specially designed knee-chest table.  There are many different kinds of chiropractic tables, each specifically designed to deliver different types of adjustments with all being perfectly valid and effective.  Adjustments don’t have to be done by hand only, a certain tool known as the activator can also be applied.  This tool applies a lighter force, useful in treating children, geriatrics, or patients with special needs or disease processes.  It’s also extremely effective in treating Temporal-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), and extremity misalignments. 

The Sound

An adjustment usually causes a popping sound; this is tiny pockets of nitrogen gas being released, which is completely normal.  Will the adjustment hurt?  Some patient’s will experience slight discomfort or pain during or following the adjustment.  This can depend on the severity and complexity of their misalignment and should subside after a few days with the use of ice.

People all know that the chiropractic profession deals with and mainly focuses on disorders of the spine, spinal adjustments and general spine care but among the profession, there are several types of chiropractors, or the three C’s, who each have their own practice style and healthcare techniques.

Straight Chiropractic

The first and oldest type of chiropractor is called a straight chiropractor. A straight chiropractic physician will focus almost entirely on spinal misalignments called subluxations. Straight chiropractors believe that all health problems arise from a misaligned spine, stating that subluxations lead to decreased or impaired nerve function which in turn cause various health issues throughout the body.

Mixing Chiropractor

The next type of chiropractor is called a mixing chiropractor. This is the most common chiropractic healing style. A mixing chiropractic physician, along with spinal manipulation, uses other forms of treatment to complement the adjustment. These treatments can include ultrasound, electric stimulation, soft tissue massage, traction, nutritional counseling and supplements. A mixer will also offer physical therapy and rehabilitation as needed.

Reform Chiropractor

The final type of chiropractor is known as the reform chiropractor. A reform chiropractic physician does not focus on subluxations at all. Their healthcare style is most similar to medical and osteopathic physicians. Reform chiropractors do offer spinal manipulations however most of their care is focused on any health issues related to musculoskeletal disorders.

References Cited in this Article

www.chiropractors.org

www.healthprofs.com

www.holisticonline.com

www.allnaturalhealth.com

Chiropractors undergo rigorous training to become Doctors of Chiropractic.  Prior to attending Chiropractic school, students must complete at least 90 prerequisite credit hours in courses such as Organic Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, and Physics.  A growing trend in state licensure for Chiropractic suggests that earning a four-year undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree will soon be required before attending Chiropractic school. 

Chiropractic School

Chiropractic school can be completed in three and ½ calendar years; however, the program actually would take five years if it was not year-round.  During Chiropractic school, students are trained in the sciences including Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology as well.  Chiropractic students also receive extensive training in biomechanics as well as a diversity of Chiropractic Techniques. 

Additional Training

Upon graduation from Chiropractic school, Doctors often receive additional training specialization in areas such as Orthopedics, Pediatrics, or even Acupuncture.[1] Chiropractors are experts in dealing with the spine and its influence on the body’s overall health.  Chiropractors also receive training in treatment of the extremities. 

Chiropractic Adjustment

The most common form of care received from Chiropractors involves the adjustment.  An adjustment involves the application of force into an area in which a joint’s movement is restricted.  The movement restriction in the particular region causes nerve interference.  The nerve interference, called a subluxation, affects organs and tissues of the body in a negative manner.  By restoring movement in the spine as well as in joints of the extremities, Chiropractors help to get patients out of pain as well as allow the innate healing capability of the body to exist at its optimal potential.[2]

[2] (2009).  What is chiropractic?  Retrieved July 17, 2009 from www.acatoday.com