What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment involves the chiropractor using special instruments or tools to manipulate joints all over the body. The procedure is also called joint manipulation. It can help reduce inflammation and pain and improve posture and mobility. Chiropractic adjustments can be used to treat a range of issues, like muscle pain, neck pain, headaches, and back pain.

A chiropractor typically performs joint manipulation. They focus on preventing and treating issues that lead to bone, joint, or muscle pain. A chiropractor provides a holistic way to address musculoskeletal issues.

How chiropractic care works

Chiropractors provide treatments for neuromusculoskeletal problems that often do not involve taking any form of medication. Treatments that a chiropractor might recommend for patients struggling with joint pain and inflammation include:

• Soft tissue therapy: This procedure is performed to help relax tight muscles; it releases tension in the connective tissues surrounding muscles (called the fascia) and alleviates spasms.
• Adjustments: These are used to increase the range of motion in joints and realign them.
• Joint taping/bracing: This involves supporting damaged tissues, muscles, or joints to promote healing.
• Stretches and exercises: Chiropractors often show patients exercises that they can perform at home to improve the range of motion of their joints.

Chiropractic treatments typically do not cause pain, but patients might feel sore afterward. The soreness is comparable to how a person would feel after working out. It should fade within 24 hours.

Chiropractic adjustments can be used to address pain in any part of the body. Areas commonly worked on include the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, pelvis, knees, ankles, head, and jaw. The treatment involves examining the patient’s musculoskeletal system to diagnose and treat the root cause of their pain. Chiropractic treatments often improve the mobility of joints surrounding the area being treated.

Patients of all ages can benefit from getting chiropractic treatment, and the risk of adverse side effects is low. Patients are typically screened before proceeding with treatment to ensure that they are good candidates for joint manipulation. For example, older patients might have thinner, softer bones, making joint manipulation too risky.

The procedure

Here is what typically goes on during chiropractic treatment:

• The chiropractor goes over the patient’s medical history and performs a physical examination.
• Tests like X-rays might be performed to determine if the patient is a good candidate for joint manipulation.
• A treatment plan is crafted based on the patient’s symptoms and the results of the chiropractor’s assessments.
• The chiropractor uses their hands and hand tools to apply sudden, controlled forces to the affected joints; the patient might hear cracking sounds as the chiropractor works.
• The chiropractor might recommend additional treatments like nutrition tips, massages, heat or cold therapy, and electric stimulation to help with the patient’s treatment.