What is an Adjustment?

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.