How does the Chiropractic adjustment work?
The bones in your back, called the vertebrae, are connected by cartilage and work together in a very specific way. The nervous system travels out between the vertebrae or joints of the spine to carry messages from the brain to every corner of your body. When everything is working well, your spine is moving properly, strong and flexible. The stress of daily living, injuries, or accidents can cause the bones to lose proper motion and put pressure on the nerves in the affected area. That is why a problem with your spine can have far-reaching effects, causing symptoms such as arm or leg pain. Small changes in the motion and alignment of your spine can cause discomfort in the different joints, muscles, and nerves along your spinal column, and affect your range of motion.
Chiropractors understand how to relieve this discomfort. They are specially trained to find the source of your pain, assess the problem, and make the proper adjustments that allow your spine to work properly again. Chiropractic joint manipulation, or adjustment, is a treatment in which the chiropractor uses his or her hands to apply a very quick, precise, and safe amount of pressure directly on the problem area of your spine. This pressure momentarily separates the joints, allowing a gas bubble to escape (this is the popping sound or cracking noise you might have heard about). The result? Relief of pressure on the joint and surrounding nerves, and most importantly, allows your spine to move properly. The adjustment is not painful, and often provides immediate relief.
