Adjustments
The adjustment is a safe, natural, noninvasive procedure used by the
chiropractor to restore and improve health. Learning the art of
adjusting is a skill that requires years of study and practice.
Chiropractic doctors are the only health care professionals trained to
deliver the chiropractic adjustment. Spinal adjustments by any other
individual or health care professional have been shown to
be dangerous and less effective.
- What Is A Spinal Adjustment?
- When Should Spinal Adjustments Be Given?
- What Do Spinal Adjustments Do?
- The Non-Spinal Adjustment
- FYI
What Is A Spinal Adjustment?
In
basic terms, the spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation refers to the
process in
which the doctor of chiropractic skillfully applies controlled force
into one or more "subluxated" vertebrae of the spine. The adjustment is
also frequently used in the pelvic region to normalize
the sacroiliac joints. The adjustment is usually delivered using the
hands or through the use of a specialized mechanical tool.
When Should Spinal Adjustments Be Given?
Spinal
adjustments are applied to certain vertebrae of the spine which are no
longer
in their proper position or where functioning has become impaired.
Vertebrae which lose their normal position or proper motion are commonly
termed vertebral subluxations. The chiropractor uses a
number of unique tests and procedures to determine which, if any,
vertebrae are subluxated. If subluxations are found, immediate
correction is generally indicated. Since like cavities subluxations
are not always painful during the initial stages, even those who are
not experiencing back or neck discomfort should receive periodic spinal
checkups.
What Do Spinal Adjustments Do?
Adjusting
helps correct vertebral subluxations. Correcting subluxations reduces
pain
and inflammation, reduces muscle spasm and tension, normalizes spinal
biomechanics and more importantly, can remove nerve irritation and
interference which can improve overall health and wellness
of the individual. Chiropractic adjustments are the only way to
eliminate vertebral subluxations and only the chiropractor is trained to
detect subluxations and deliver the chiropractic spinal
adjustment to correct subluxations.
The Non-Spinal Adjustment
In
addition to adjusting the spine and pelvis, almost every other joint of
the body
can be adjusted by the chiropractor. This includes the joints of the
hands and feet, wrists and ankles, elbows and knees, shoulders and hips,
ribs and the jaw. In fact, some chiropractors are even
trained in techniques to adjust the joints (sutures) of the skull.
Like the joints of the spine, joints in the extremities can also become misaligned and fixated. Chiropractic adjustive techniques can restore and enhance extremity joint functioning which can increase the life of the joint and keep wear and tear to a minimum. This is of special interest to athletes who generally demand optimal joint performance from highly stressed joints. Adjusting provides an immediate increase in joint range of motion and also supplies the joint with nutrients, as motion is the only way to bring nutrients into the joint cartilage and flush wastes products out.
FYI
Did
your mother ever warn you that "cracking" your knuckles would give you
arthritis?
If she did, we're sorry to say that she was wrong! Research has
actually shown that individuals who habitually "crack" their knuckles
over their lifetime actually lower the incidence of arthritis
in their knuckles compared with those who do not. Researchers believe
the knuckle "cracking" increases joint nutrition and maintains joint
motion, both of which are essential for a healthy joint.
