A chiropractic adjustment, also known as a spinal adjustment, is the primary chiropractic method for treating neck and back pain, improving central nervous system function, and addressing other common physical ailments.
Chiropractic adjustments relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. Spinal adjustments and manipulations have been a trusted form of treatment since the ancient Greek Hippocrates documented manipulative techniques in his writings back in 1500 B.C. Today, spinal adjustments are even used to treat conditions such as allergies, menstrual cramps, heartburn, and more.
How do spinal adjustments work?
There are well over 100 different types of adjusting techniques used by chiropractors throughout the world. Some practitioners do manual adjustments by hand known as HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) that produce the popping sound typically associated with chiropractic adjustments, while other techniques are more gentle and use instruments or tools to assist with the adjustment. Regardless of how they are performed, these techniques are intended to restore normal joint function with the objective of relieving nerve stress, reducing pain, and decreasing joint inflammation.
The spine surrounds and protects our brain, spinal cord, and entire nervous system. When vertebrae shift out of place, there is an overall systemic response from the muscular system to the central nervous system. Without proper alignment and motion of the vertebrae, our brain cannot properly send nerve signals to our body, preventing our physical functions from occurring at a normal, optimal level. When left untreated, this misalignment and imbalance will eventually lead to dis-ease within the body and progress into physical symptoms.
Overall, spinal adjustments are an excellent way to keep the body function at its highest, healthiest level without discomfort. When the body is adequately aligned, it is able to interact with the external environment and perform as it was built to do.