> The Chiropractic Adjustment
most significant and important aspect of Chiropractic treatment is
the spinal adjustment.
are helpful in preventing or reducing the wear and tear that our joints
and ligaments are exposed to every day. Why would that be so? When
our spine is in a proper functional position, the joints and ligaments
operate as designed with fluid motion. However, if a joint of the
body is not in a proper position, that joint will not work smoothly.
Over time, this wear and tear causes something known as osteoarthritis.
are many different methods to adjust the spine. Usually, the procedures
are hands on. In certain situations the Chiropractor may deliver a
quick, gentle thrust. In other situations, a slow, sustained pressure
may be used to accomplish the adjustment. There are many different
types of chiropractic adjusting procedures, some using specifically
designed instruments or tables. Rest assured that the particular treatment
methods are designed to help your specific health needs.
times a cracking or popping sensation is heard during an adjustment.
This represents air going through a joint surface very quickly. A
good analogy would be popping the top off of a can of soda. Gases
can build up in a joint space like a bubble. When the adjustment is
performed it allows the gas to be released. While many patients enjoy
hearing this sound, the sound itself does not indicate the quality
of the adjustment received.
How does a chiropractor determine when, and more importantly, when
NOT to adjust a spinal segment?
a treatment visit, visual inspection and palpation are the indications
that are used to determine what areas of the spine need to be adjusted.
The patient's range of motion in the affected regions gives indications
of spinal restrictions. Touching and feeling (palpation) of the spine
allows the Chiropractor to determine areas of swelling and increased
temperature, as well as abnormal muscle tone or spasm. In many cases,
the Chiropractor has had the opportunity of reviewing xrays of your
spine prior to performing an adjustment. This is important for your
protection as well as having more information about the your health
addition to the spine, other joints of the body can be adjusted as
needed. These include the shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, ankles,
feet, jaw, and even the head. In many cases, sports-related injuries
affect the upper and lower extremities. This is an area in which Chiropractic
care has had excellent results as well.