A chiropractic adjustment is a form of treatment that focuses on manual manipulation of the spine. It is based on the theory that misalignments in the spine can lead to problems with other parts of the body. Chiropractors believe that adjusting the spine can help to relieve pain and improve overall health. Bay Clinic of Chiropractic offers this treatment to all types of patients, including those with disc injuries, neck pain, back pain, joint issues, fibromyalgia, and headaches.
The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is not to straighten the spine, which would be impossible without surgery. Instead, the focus is on restoring proper mobility and flexibility to each vertebra in order to reduce pressure on nerves and muscles and promote health and healing. The adjustment itself involves very little discomfort, if any at all, since needles or other instruments are not used during treatment.
A chiropractor uses a high-velocity, short lever arm thrust to adjust a patient's vertebrae. This force is delivered to a specific point that allows the vertebrae to realign and return to their normal position, thereby removing nerve interference. Once alignment has occurred, muscles and ligaments get "unwound," allowing them to stretch and elongate.
Chiropractic adjustments allow for an immediate response by white blood cells at the site of injury. The white blood cells respond by recruiting lymphocytes to bind with antigens, which are chemicals that fight off infection and disease. This process initiates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain killers produced by your brain that block pain signals from being sent to the spinal cord.
This maneuver results in the release of gas and produces a relieving sensation most of the time. The gas is a result of the release of nitrogen from within your disc. The chiropractor will feel the vertebrae slip, pop, or move out of place. This is called cavitation and it means that your muscles are able to hold and support your spine.
Joint cavitation does not always occur and may be caused by muscle splinting or inadequate relaxation on the part of the chiropractor.
Chiropractic therapy has shown little or no impact in treating symptoms right away. More studies are done to see how successful chiropractic therapy is for treating conditions after a certain time period. However, it's been proven that chiropractic treatment does not cause any harmful side effects and can be very beneficial in overall wellness.
Chiropractic adjustments are known to be safe and gentle, but like any other medical procedure, there are some risks associated with them. Minor side effects such as temporary pain and stiffness are the most common complaints, but these usually go away within a few days. More serious side effects are rare but can include things like joint dislocation and stroke.
After an adjustment, it's important to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the toxins released during the treatment from your body. You may also need to take it easy for a day or two afterward, depending on how your body reacts to the adjustment. Some people report feeling very energized after an adjustment, while others feel relaxed and calm.
Chiropractic adjustment techniques are used to correct alignment issues in the body. There are many techniques that chiropractors use, and they can be categorized as either high-velocity low amplitude (HVLA) or non-force techniques.
HVLA: This is the most common adjustment technique and involves a quick thrust of the joint to produce a corrective force. Oftentimes this type of adjustment can produce a popping sound in the joints - this is normal and the patient shouldn't worry about it.
Before an HVLA adjustment is performed, patients will typically need to remove their own clothing such as vests or ties because these items may limit movement during treatment. Patients should wear comfortable, breathable clothing for optimal results. Patients will also need to disrobe from the waist before receiving cervical adjustments so that the doctor doesn't have to take off garments that might interfere with the healing process.
Before performing an adjustment, many chiropractic doctors will perform a passive cervical check which is used to test a range of motion and stability in the neck region. During this test, patients are asked to bend their heads forward slowly while maintaining contact between the chin and chest. If there is abnormal movement in the cervical spine, this test could be a sign of nerve interference. In this case, chiropractic care could be beneficial.
Chiropractic adjustments can be given by osteopaths, physical therapists, and chiropractors in Panama City, Florida. Chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to give manipulations, which is a specific type of adjustment. Osteopaths and physical therapists can also give adjustments, but they are not trained to do manipulations. Chiropractors undergo a rigorous training program, which includes more than 4 years of post-graduate education.
"Manipulation under anesthesia" is a specific chiropractic adjustment performed by a specially trained doctor to relieve severe or persistent symptoms in patients with certain types of spinal disorders. This surgery can be recommended if nonsurgical treatments fail to ease your pain.
Chiropractors generally recommend that people get adjustments around once a week. However, the frequency of adjustments depends on the person's individual needs. Some people only need to get adjusted a couple of times a month, while others may need to get adjusted more often.
Four to seven visits per year are the average, but more complex cases may require up to twelve visits. Some of these are for establishing care, and others are for follow-up.
Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that utilizes spinal adjustments to improve your overall well-being. Whether you have pain, discomfort, or just want to feel better in general, chiropractic treatment may be for you. If you are interested in experiencing this type of wellness for yourself, make an appointment with Bay Clinic of Chiropractic and talk to one of our experts today! Our team would love to chat about how we can come alongside you to create a plan that's right for both your needs AND budget.