.png){kind=icon}
Chiropractors treat pain, provide rehabilitation for injuries, and generally improve physical wellness. The main way in which they achieve all those things are through chiropractic adjustments — but what is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure wherein a chiropractor applies a small thrust, or pressure, in a particular range of motion to a specific joint in the body. Joints are connected to a large number of nerves in the body and chiropractic adjustments stimulate these nerves causing a pain relieving effect. Other benefits of this procedure are improved range of motion within the joint, and improved muscle activation surrounding the treatment area.
This treatment is primarily used to treat pain or correct joint dysfunction caused by injury. By and large, the purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to help create a better window for rehab. When joints are moving correctly, muscles controlling those joints can function better. Swelling and inflammation in the soft tissue occur when the body is trying to heal or protect an area from further injury. Massage and other rehabilitative treatments can’t be truly effective if the joint dysfunction is still occurring.
There are a number of reasons to receive chiropractic work including:
While receiving an adjustment, many patients will hear audible popping, snapping or cracking noises. These occur because of the formation and collapse of air bubbles from the change in pressure. These noises are perfectly normal but may sound slightly jarring to some patients.
No, you don’t need one— but it might slow down the rehabilitative process. As a patient, your comfort level is important and there are other methods of treatment if you are opposed to chiropractic adjustments. However, if chiropractic work is the most effective treatment for your condition, treating the ailment other ways can lengthen your healing time.
Like any other rehabilitative treatment, chiropractic work starts with finding the right practitioner for you. Ask lots of questions and don’t hesitate to ask the practitioner to walk you through the process. Your health and comfort should be as important to your chiropractic doctor as it is to you.
Have more questions on the chiropractic practice or want to book your first appointment? Reach out to one of the Dynamic chiropractors today to learn more.
