How Does a Chiropractor Perform an Adjustment?

A chiropractor performs back adjustments: a form of manual therapy that is done to realign joint subluxations. Subluxations hold different meanings to a chiropractor and a medical doctor, but the basic definition is partial dislocation. This article talks about how chiropractors perform spinal manipulation.

How is an adjustment done?

When the chiropractor checks for subluxation through diagnostics, they often find subtle degrees of position changes in the joint and issues with the surrounding soft tissues. When a medical doctor discovers a subluxation through x-ray imaging, it shows as an apparent disconnection between the bones of the joint.

Although there are different chiropractic approaches and techniques, the most common method of adjustment entails a manual but quick directional pressure into the joint. The aim is to restore the bones of the joint to their regular, natural place. Patients may require one or multiple adjustments to achieve this goal and ensure lasting treatment.

The chiropractic adjustment procedure generally involves a quick thrust to the vertebrae at high velocity. This is followed by a noticeable release of gas called joint cavitation, resulting from the release of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide, which frees up the pressure in the joint. Patients often describe the sensation as relieving. Some may experience slight discomfort (which usually lasts for a short while) if the patient has muscle spasms or tenses during the treatment procedure.

Patients need to understand that joint cavitation or cracking does not always happen, usually because of substantial muscle splinting or if the patient is not properly relaxed during a chiropractic adjustment. In cases like this, the chiropractor may decide to apply ice, put the patient in a resting position, perform electrical stimulation and massage before proceeding with chiropractic adjustment.

The cracking sound

Many people think that the sounds produced indicate successful adjustment. The truth is that the sounds do not correlate with proper joint realignment. Rather, they are caused by cavitation, which is a sudden decrease in pressure in the joint. Cavitation releases gases in the synovial fluid into the gap between the bones that are undergoing adjustment (known as joint space).

In a 1995 study published by the Journal of Manipulative Physiological and Therapeutics, the gases make up about 15% of the joint volume. Although it is a fact that the primary focus of the chiropractic profession is spine adjustment, many chiropractors include pelvic adjustments as a part of the procedure. Some also routinely adjust other joints such as the feet, knees and wrists.

The effectiveness of adjustments

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the spinal adjustment is one of the holistic therapies that has been verified to alleviate low back pain. Similarly, effective holistic therapies include massage therapy and exercise.

Final note

If you are dealing with back pain and want to visit the chiropractor for spinal adjustments, then you are assured of safe and effective treatment. A medical study published in the journal Spine discovered substantial evidence that the treatment is just as effective as other methods of treatment for the same condition, which may include using pain killers, heat or sleeping on a firm mattress.

Request an appointment here: https://spine-chiropractic.com or call Spine Chiropractic at (423) 910-2302 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.

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