WHAT ARE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS, AND HOW DO THEY FIT INTO YOUR HEALTH AND MOBILITY JOURNEY? LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
What do you see when you think of chiropractic care? Chances are, it’s not exercise therapy, massage therapy, or a spinal decompression table. More often than not, people think of adjustments when they think about the chiropractor–and it’s not hard to see why.
Adjustments are memorable because they can seem frightening to those who are unfamiliar with them. However, rest assured that adjustments are not only safe when done by a chiropractor; they can be a great step toward improved mobility and reduced pain.
Adjustments are an important part of chiropractic care, but they’re only one component of a comprehensive practice that’s dedicated to helping patients see improved mobility, reduced pain, and better health outcomes overall.
Chiropractors treat the musculoskeletal system, which means that they specialize in treating our bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Chiropractic care seeks to promote a healthy alignment between these various parts of our bodies, relieve undue pressure or strain, reduce stiffness and pain, and improve overall mobility.
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spine and joint manipulations, play an important role in chiropractic care. This hands-on treatment occurs when a chiropractor uses their own hands (or specialized equipment) in order to manipulate specific parts of a patient’s body.
The goal of chiropractic adjustments can be any one or more of the following:
TO PROPERLY ALIGN DIFFERENT PARTS OF YOUR BODY THAT HAVE BECOME MISALIGNED DUE TO POOR POSTURE, STRESS, AND/OR STRAIN.
TO REDUCE PAIN LEVELS AND INFLAMMATION.
TO IMPROVE MOBILITY AND RANGE OF MOTION
Patients seek out chiropractic adjustments (or are recommended to try them) for a variety of reasons, most of which center around pain or mobility limitations. For the most part, chiropractic adjustments are sought out as treatment for:
Headaches or migraines
Whiplash
Back pain
Joint stiffness
Muscle spasms or stiffness
And more
The most notable benefit of chiropractic adjustments is that they can address the root cause of pain and limited mobility. They can promote a decreased reliance on medications for pain management while reducing inflammation. They can also provide relief from chronic discomfort or pain, like migraines or arthritis.
Chiropractic adjustments can seem uncomfortable for those who are unfamiliar with chiropractic care and have never received adjustments themselves. Due to their hands-on nature, adjustments should never be administered by anyone except a medical professional who has been specifically trained to do them correctly.
When those conditions are met, adjustments are not dangerous. They can be a very useful treatment option to help patients experience better health and mobility outcomes without relying on medication to get them.
Chiropractic adjustments can be a great option for anyone experiencing pain (be it chronic or acute), stiffness, mobility issues, or conditions that impact their joints and skeletal systems. Adjustments are a popular option to alleviate the symptoms that come with the following conditions, plus others:
Sciatica
Chronic migraines
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Scoliosis
Fibromyalgia
WHEN YOU WORK WITH AN ATTENTIVE CHIROPRACTOR, GETTING AN ADJUSTMENT IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN THE TIME YOU SPEND ON THE ACTUAL TABLE. HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT AT ESSENTIAL CHIROCARE:
PREPARATION
The preparation for your adjustment is just as important as the adjustment itself. First up, we’ll have some diagnostic imaging (like X-rays or CTs) done in order to take a closer look at the areas we’re looking to treat. This is important, because it’ll give us a better idea of how your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments are interacting with each other and what we can do to help.
DURING THE ADJUSTMENT
More often than not, you’ll lay face-down on the adjustment table (if your jaw, head, or pelvis are being adjusted, this won’t be the case). The table is specifically designed so that your chiropractor can safely administer the manipulations you need.
THE MANIPULATION
During your chiropractic adjustment, force will be applied to your body’s treatment areas in short, quick, and intense bursts. Your chiropractor may also guide you through certain stretches in order to alleviate pressure on specific parts of your body.
AFTER AN ADJUSTMENT
Adjustments can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. The way you’ll feel after your adjustment can vary, but all of the following are normal:
On the other hand, none of the following
side effects are common:
If you experience severe pain or are simply unsure if your symptoms are normal after an adjustment, the best thing you can do to put your mind at ease is to consult with your chiropractor.
At Essential ChiroCare, our goal is to make sure that you are comfortable throughout every step of your treatment process so that we can set you up for a healthy, active future. We tailor every treatment plan to the unique patient in order to make sure their unique needs are met, and we’re happy to offer as much information as possible regarding the “why” of your treatments
Whether your pain and discomfort is longstanding or new, we are a Tampa chiropractor who will work with you to get to its root cause so that you don’t just feel well, but are well. Set up a consultation with us to get started.
Co-Founder,
Former Chiropractor to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Co-Founder,
Former Chiropractor to the Tampa Bay Rays