Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be a safe and effective form of alternative approach towards back pain treatment and injury correction.

Chiropractors perform 95 percent of all adjustments in the world to correct the 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 movement patterns, and/or original position. The important thing to remember is the act the adjustment frees, rather than forces, a vertebra to allow it to find its natural position.

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

Chiropractic adjustments can be performed while sitting, standing, or lying down. Some chiropractic adjustments involve special instruments or tables.

Some common chiropractic adjustment techniques include:

• 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.
• Instrument adjustments, which involve a spring-loaded device

Chiropractors take many factors including size, weight, and muscle structure into consideration when deciding on which adjustment to make and which back pain treatment approach to utilize. Sometimes, heat or ice, electrical stimulation, or massage therapy (including traction massage) are used prior to a spinal manipulation in order to relax the muscles.

Chiropractic treatment has been shown to provide relief from chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, migraines, chronic fatigue, nervous system disorders, jaw joint problems, stress disorders, etc. (Conditions such as an aneurysm and intracranial hemorrhage prohibit this kind of therapy.)

Chiropractic adjustments almost always do not involve any pain or discomfort. The important thing for a patient to keep in mind is to remain relaxed, because stiffening up may impede the adjustment process. Popping sounds are sometimes heard during chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, and some massage therapy techniques.; these are usually pockets of air being released behind a joint or other bony structure.

Chiropractic 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.

Chiropractic 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