What is chiropractic adjustment?

If you’re experiencing back or muscular pain, finding the right form of treatment can prove extremely challenging. Since the spine is one of the most integral parts of the body, making sure you’re in the right hands is paramount. For patients with chronic or recurring pain, chiropractic adjustment can prove to be a highly effective solution in both treating symptoms and ultimately restoring spinal health. This form of treatment can provide long term benefits not just to the spine, but across the entire body. But what is chiropractic adjustment, and why is it often proved to be so effective? Read on to find out.

What is a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Crucially, their practice focuses on manual adjustments and manipulations of the spine. This ‘hands on’ technique primarily aims to ease problems found in joints, bones or muscles, normalising their functionality. Adopting a holistic approach, they strive to offer effective, long term solutions, focusing on the structural and biomechanical relationship between the spine and the nervous system. For most patients, a chiropractor can ease pressure on neurological tissue and restore the structural integrity of the spine. 

Alongside relieving pain, most chiropractors also seek to educate patients on how to prevent further back problems. This can include providing rehabilitative exercises, referrals to other back pain therapies, and even offering health or diet advice. Every chiropractor must complete a four-year degree or a postgraduate course recognised by the General Chiropractic Council. Registered with the GCC, they are extensively trained across a wide range of fields and techniques. If you’re looking for chiropractic clinics in Doncaster, or elsewhere, always make sure you use a registered practitioner.

The chiropractic adjustment process

“What is chiropractic adjustment?” is a very common question. Essentially, it’s the process by which a chiropractor manipulates vertebrae that struggle to function normally or present abnormal movement patterns. Using either their hands or specialised tools, they apply controlled force and manipulations to specific spinal joints. Typically, the treatment process consists of a number of different facets and stages. 

Before The Procedure – When you first begin the chiropractic adjustment process, the chiropractor will usually start by discussing your medical history and performing an initial physical exam. This exam can include X-rays to visualise your body’s internal systems, or a CT and MRI scan to generate detailed pictures of the body’s musculoskeletal structure. 

During The Procedure – Based on your symptoms and the results of the examinations, the chiropractor will develop a long term treatment plan. This is usually centred around a series of chiropractic adjustment sessions. Throughout these sessions, the chiropractor will typically adjust the patient into a series of specific positions in order to treat the affected areas. Normally, a patient lies face down on a specialised chiropractic table. The chiropractor will then apply sudden, but highly controlled force on a certain joint, manipulating it beyond its usual range of movement. It is very common for patients to hear cracking or popping sounds throughout these treatment sessions. 

After The Procedure – Often, your chiropractor will recommend a series of other therapies or lifestyle adjustments to work in tandem with the spinal manipulation treatment. These can include massage, ice or heat therapy, nutritional advice, stretches, or even ways to manage stress within the body. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication which allows them to think more long term about your health. 

Chiropractic adjustment techniques

Though there are over 100 forms of manipulation techniques used by chiropractors, they usually focus on a concentrated series of approaches, depending on the patient. Some apply a more forceful, manipulation based approach, whereas others will adopt a more gentle, mobilisation centred technique. For a typical patient, this treatment will take place over the course of six to ten sessions. 

Spinal manipulation –  Also referred to as high-velocity low-amplitude thrust (HVLA), this is the most commonly used chiropractic technique. The chiropractor will apply quick (high-velocity) and short (low-amplitude) thrusts over obstructed joints. This aims to restore a healthy range of motion. The patient will be placed in various positions to optimise the adjustment process. 

Spinal mobilisation – Though similar to HVLA manipulation, this technique focuses on applying slow and controlled movements to mobilise the troubled joint. Patients with a more delicate nervous system can benefit from this more sensitive technique, ensuring the body is prevented from overreacting, leading to muscle spasms. 

How can chiropractic adjustment help?

Chiropractic adjustment can provide a whole host of benefits to one’s physical and emotional wellbeing. As well as treating pain, chiropractors can even help prevent issues from arising in the first place. 

Muscle or joint pain – Rather than relying on painkillers, and the potential problems that can present, chiropractors can often get to the very root of the problem through musculoskeletal alignment. These adjustments can help increase the nerve conductivity to the problematic muscles or joints. 

Headaches – Headaches or migraines can often be caused by a misalignment in the spine or neck. Through chiropractic adjustment, patients can see a vast improvement in their blood flow, thus increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain. 

Sedentary lifestyle – Needless to say, we’ve all spent a lot more time indoors recently. Sitting down for long periods of time, particularly if hunched over a keyboard can lead to poor posture. This results in excessive pressure on the neck, shoulders and upper back. This, in turn, can cause slipped discs and further issues. Chiropractic adjustment ensures your spine is aligned correctly, preventing such problems further down the line. 

Active lifestyle – Conversely, those who lead a particularly active lifestyle may put their bodies under additional pressure and stress. This extra strain can result in spine misalignment, pinched nerves and other such problems. Regular appointments with a chiropractor can ensure your body remains in prime physical condition for an active lifestyle. 

Rehabilitation – If you’ve recently been involved in an accident or sustained an injury, an experienced chiropractor can help. They may be able to restore former levels of comfort and mobility. In fact, there are many chiropractors who specialise in injuries sustained in car accidents and other such incidents. 

Contact us

Now that you know what is chiropractic adjustment, you should have a better idea if this treatment is right for you. If you’re looking for a professional chiropractic adjustment service in Doncaster, or simply want to find out more, then get in touch with Thorne Road Chiropractic Clinic today. We can answer all your questions or book you in for a consultation with one of our experienced chiropractors.