A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is the primary chiropractic treatment method for back pain.
Spinal manipulation relieves pressure on joints, reduces inflammation, and improves nerve function. It has been a trusted form of treatment since the ancient Greek Hippocrates documented manipulative techniques in his writings back in 1500 B.C. Today, spinal manipulation is used to treat common conditions such as neck and low back pain, but also symptoms like allergies, menstrual cramps, indigestion, and headaches.
How Does Spinal Manipulation Work?
There are well over 100 types of adjustment techniques used by chiropractors throughout the world. Some practitioners may use force and twisting, while other techniques are more gentle. Regardless of how they are performed, these techniques are intended to restore or enhance joint function with the objectives of reducing pain and resolving joint inflammation.
When vertebrae shift out of place, there is an overall systemic response from the muscular system to the central nervous system. The brain is connected to the body via the spinal cord. The spinal cord contains 31 pair of spinal nerves that literally feed the entire body. These nerves need to be clear of interference in order for a cut to heal, your lungs to breathe, your heart to beat, bowels to move properly, etc. When the vertebrae "subluxate" or become misaligned, there is pressure put on those spinal nerves and the messages being sent by the brain to the body can no longer reach the organs, tissues, glands, and cells. Therefore, without proper alignment and flow, our nerves, our immune system, and our minds cannot function at their highest peak.
This is exactly why we like to see people for overall wellness and preventative care, as well as for pain relief.
Spinal adjustments and manipulations are an excellent way to keep the body functioning at its highest level without any discomfort. When the body is adequately aligned, it becomes able to respond and perform as it was built to do.