Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that primarily focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous system and their disorders. A chiropractor recognizes the affects of these disorders to the general overall health of the body. Chiropractic adjustments (aka spinal manipulation) are performed utilizing a rapid, controlled force to an affected joint. While these adjustments are primarily done to the joints in the spine, they can be performed on any joint (i.e. shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle, etc.)
Chiropractic adjustments are applied utilizing the doctor's hands or through a small adjustive instrument known as an Activator. Adjustments could also be applied utilizing a ProAdjustor. Learn more about the ProAdjustor here.
The goal of chiropractic adjustments is to decrease pain and inflammation while increasing range of motion, joint stability, and muscle strength, as well as releasing natural pain relieving analgesics.
The doctor may decide to utilize other therapies to complement the chiropractic adjustments such as:
- Heat
- Ice
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation
- Ultrasound Therapy
- Rehabilitative Exercises
There are many different ways to perform an effective adjustment; if at any point you are uncomfortable with an adjustment, let the doctor know and the positioning or technique can be altered to make you more comfortable.