Learning About Chiropractic: What Is an Adjustment?

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Chiropractic is a very common choice for those seeking help with pain that doesn’t go away with over the counter medicines or rest. You may have family or friends who have experienced relief from headaches, neck and back pain due to chiropractic care. What may not be clear is how chiropractic helps and what happens during chiropractic treatment. Read on to learn more about the practice and what to expect from a chiropractic adjustment:

What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a practice of manually manipulating the spinal joints. The philosophy is that the spine affects the muscles, ligaments and nerves in the body and that a healthy, aligned spine contributes to a healthy body. Misalignment, or subluxation, can lead to pressure on other parts of the musculoskeletal or nervous system, leading to pain or illness. Realigning the vertebrae not only increases the flow of blood to the organs and extremities, but it allows the body to heal itself.

What Happens in My First Appointment?

Once you have chosen your Doctor of Chiropractic, during your first appointment or consultation, you will be required to fill out a medical history form. If you’ve had an accident or injury, you may be asked to undergo an x-ray or other diagnostic tests. These give the doctor a better picture of what is going on in your body and allows him or her to rule out broken bones or other structural abnormalities as a cause. The practitioner will discuss your medical history with you and ask several questions about your symptoms and when they began. You may be asked to perform simple strength tests or reflex tests before the doctor can finalize your treatment plan.

What Is an Adjustment?

Once your doctor has determined your course of treatment and discussed it with you, you are ready for your first chiropractic adjustment. An adjustment is when the practitioner uses a quick, controlled pressure near a joint to cause it to move back into alignment. Most patients instantly feel a lessening of pressure or increased ease of movement after the adjustment. During the procedure, you may hear popping or cracking sounds. This is completely normal. Though the sound does come from the joint, it is not the joint itself but the gases inside that make a noise when escaping. You may also have more than one area adjusted in an appointment, depending on your particular need.

If you are struggling with pain, decreased range of motion or headaches that seem to linger, contact a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic for spinal physical therapy in Baltimore, MD.

Thanks to Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab and Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care and what an adjustment is.