Going to the chiropractor for the first time may bring a few questions. You probably do not know exactly the method that he or she will use to help you. There exist many different techniques to adjust the spine or the peripheral joints.
Even though some instruments may be used to relax the muscles, the most important part of chiropractic care is the chiropractic spinal adjustment. The spinal adjustments are done mostly with our hands but, in some cases, the use of instruments like the ArthroStim or the activator may be indicated.
The goal of chiropractic care is to restore mobility to the joints and remove the nerve interference which allows the body to properly adapt, heal, and return to a normal functioning state.
Although most chiropractic techniques involve the spine, they can also be applied to other parts of the body. The ultimate purpose of the chiropractic adjustment is to promote the body’s natural healing abilities and ensure a healthy range of motion.
What is an adjustment, you may ask? An adjustment involves using a specific force in a precise direction to help restore proper function to the spinal bones or other involved joints of the body.
Direct hand adjustments
The most frequently used chiropractic adjustments are done with the use of the hands. This is where a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust is used. This technique often results in an audible “pop,” as we apply a controlled force to a joint while the body is positioned in a specific way. This is called cavitation and it is caused by the release of oxygen and nitrogen, which releases joint pressure.
Mobilization
Some conditions (such as osteoporosis), pathology, the patient’s size, patient comfort, or patient preference may require a gentler approach, generally referred to as spinal mobilization. Those mild spinal mobilization techniques do not involve a popping sound but also produce better mobility to the joints
Activator method
We may also use a small, hand-held instrument called the Activator Adjusting Instrument to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine.
ArthroStim instrument
The ArthroStim instrument is similar to the activator but uses electricity. It delivers high-velocity, short-stroke thrusts and it also helps improve joint motion, providing a very comfortable experience. We use it on everyone that needs it and specially with babies and with patients that have high pain levels or suffer from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and vascular diseases.
What does the adjustment do?
Adjustments help restore better function to the spinal column and help to avoid early degeneration of the bones and soft tissues. It also helps in removing nervous system interference and allowing the body to start its own natural healing process.
Research has identified the actual changes that occur in the body, nervous system and brain during chiropractic spinal adjustments. The study was conducted by an award-winning Auckland researcher named Dr Heidi Haavik-Taylor. She demonstrated that muscle control can be changed by stimulating the nervous system through chiropractic adjustments. (*)
“The process of a spinal adjustment is like rebooting a computer. The signals that these adjustments send to the brain, via the nervous system, reset muscle behavior patterns,” as quoted by Dr Haavik-Taylor. “By stimulating the nervous system, we can improve the function of the whole body. This is something that chiropractors and their patients have known for years and now we have some scientific evidence to prove it.”
How will you feel after an adjustment?
After an adjustment, most patients experience a sensation of calm and well-being or they may feel that their mobility has improved.
Alex was telling us this morning that she feels great, less pain in her pelvis and stays well for weeks. She says that she knows her condition requires regular care and, every six weeks, she comes for her adjustment, and it makes a world of a difference in her quality of life.
Silvia was telling us how her baby João sleeps so much better since the first adjustment he received.
A lot of people get rid of their nagging low back pain or recurrent headaches. Some come for prevention and maintenance and others to improve their performance in competitive sports. Whatever the reason why they receive care, what is important is that patients see results.
Newborns, infants, children, seniors and even back surgery patients can get adjusted. Naturally, adjustments are tailored to your size, age and particular health issue.
You too can feel much better, come and experience the fantastic benefits of having your spine adjusted. Put your health first with good efficient chiropractic care.
*Haavik Taylor H. and Murphy B. (2007). World Federation of Chiropractic’s Ninth Biennial Congress Award Winning Paper (3rd Prize): Altered sensorimotor integration with cervical spine manipulation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, in press.
