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September 3, 2020

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

Are you dealing with a lot of pain these days? Do you have chronic pain in your back or any area of your body? If so, then you could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment.

If you've never been before, then you might have questions like "how do chiropractic adjustments work?" and "what does a chiropractor do?". It's important to know these questions going into your first appointment so that you understand what to expect.

See below for an in-depth guide on chiropractic adjustments as a whole. You'll understand how they work, what they do, and how frequent adjustments can be a lifesaver for your long-term health.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

Contrary to popular belief, chiropractors aren't just doctors that study the ins and outs of the spine.

While that's certainly one of their specialties, they're also well-trained and well-educated on human biology, human anatomy, and physiology. In fact, many chiropractors can treat spinal problems in animals as well, due to their extensive knowledge.

More specifically for humans, chiropractors have the skillset to address the whole musculoskeletal system and treat anywhere from head to foot. Some of the most common injuries chiropractors treat include:

Head & Neck Pain:

Headaches, migraines, neck pain, whiplash, stiff neck, TMJ pain.

Shoulder & Arm Pain:

Shoulder impingement, rotator cuff strain, bursitis, biceps tendonitis, frozen shoulder, golfers elbow, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel.

Back & Torso Pain:

Back pain, disc herniation, stenosis, slipped disc, poor posture, scoliosis, pinched nerve, facet syndrome, hyperlordosis, spondylolisthesis.

Chest Pain:

Rib pain, slipped rib, costochondritis, difficulty breathing, upper crossed syndrome, hyperkyphosis, thoracic sprain/strain.

Hip & Leg Pain:

Sciatica, hip impingement, piriformis syndrome, ITB syndrome, patellar tendonitis, runners knee, sprained knee, Osgoodschlatter’s, shin splints.

Foot Pain:

Sprained ankles, platar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, flat feet, heel pain, foot pain, toe pain, hammertoes. 

During your first meeting, be sure to list all of the injuries and pain that you're experiencing to your chiropractor. Pain in one area of the body may cause compensational patterns that lead to faulty movement patterns and in turn cause other areas to hurt. 

Experienced chiropractors treat every patient differently. They focus on the specific needs of your situation to help you improve your health and livelihood!

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment? 

Chiropractic adjustments begin with a scan of the body to see if there are any restrictions in a joint. Chiropractors are looking to understand if a joint has a full range of motion and if there are any stiff areas. 

When chiropractors find a restricted joint, they do an adjustment which is a high velocity, low amplitude, or a quick, small thrust, to get the joint moving to restore normal range of motion. This adjustment allows the joint to function properly. 

What is the Popping Sound?

Chiropractors often receive questions about the popping or cracking sound that occurs during an adjustment. It’s important to know that chiropractors are not putting bones back in place and the popping sound does not come from bones grinding on each other. 

The popping sound you hear when a chiropractor performs an adjustment is the release of a gas bubble between the joints. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved. 

What Are Some of the Benefits of Chiropractic Care?

Now that you've learned about what a chiropractor does, it's time to learn about the different benefits. See below for just a few of the benefits that you'll unlock when you receive frequent chiropractic care.

Improved Athletic Performance

Chiropractic care is especially important for athletes. It can help them in three different ways: injury prevention, injury recovery, and boosting athletic performance.

With athletes, chiropractors not only focus on the joints but the soft tissue and muscle pliability in their bodies. This can help prevent injuries and get the most out of the athlete's performance.

If you're looking to reach your peak performance in your sport, then it starts by receiving chiropractic adjustments.

Boost to Your System

It's amazing what the body can do when the spine is in its optimal condition. Chiropractic care can give your body a boost in several different aspects.

It can give you more energy throughout the day, give your immune system the boost to fight off diseases and illnesses, and reduce your high blood pressure.  

Your body will start to operate as a cohesive unit. You'll find it much easier to perform activities throughout the day without hitting a wall at any point.

Better Sleep

Sleep is everything for your body. It can improve your immune system, help your memory, improve your mood, and assist with your weight as well.

However, if you're experiencing back or neck pain, it will be much more difficult for you to get the optimal 8 hours of sleep.

By getting frequent adjustments and learning about how to improve your posture while you lay down, you will find it much easier to doze off each night. Be sure to read this article for more information on how to sleep better.

What to Expect Seeking Chiropractic Care

There are two different levels to establishing expectations for chiropractic care: 1) how do the initial chiropractic appointment work and 2) what does a typical follow-up chiropractic appointment look like? The first appointment that you have will be much longer to assess and diagnose your needs. 

The First Appointment

At your first appointment, your chiropractor will ask you a series of questions that have to do with your health and whole body to determine the root cause of your injury. They'll ask about your previous medical history, any pain you're currently experiencing, where it hurts, when it hurts, how often you experience pain, and so forth to better understand your discomfort.  

A detailed biomechanical analysis of the entire body is performed to help demonstrate the mobility and motor control of each joint and the surrounding musculature. This allows your chiropractor to construct a better picture of how you move.

Evaluating the whole body and the way it moves will help your chiropractor understand its connection to the pain you're experiencing and how they can treat it.

For example, the frequent headaches that you experience could be due to a misalignment in your neck or tension in the surrounding muscles.

Regular Chiropractic Adjustments

After the initial appointment is done, you can expect a quicker chiropractic appointment since your doctor has already developed a treatment plan.

A regular chiropractic appointment usually takes 30 minutes or less. The visit will start by your chiropractor placing you in specific positions to make adjustments to areas of your body that are the source of your pain.

Find the Chiropractic Care That You Need Today

Now that you've seen an in-depth guide that answers your questions like "how do chiropractic adjustments work?" and "what does a chiropractor do?", it's time to find the right fit for your needs.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further!

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