What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is a quick, controlled pressure that a doctor of chiropractic applies to a specific joint of the spine. The goal is to improve how that joint moves and to ease the muscle tension around it.
Your spine has 24 movable bones (vertebrae). Between them are discs, and at the back of each vertebra are two small "facet joints". These are the joints you may hear click when you stretch. A spinal nerve exits between each pair of vertebrae. Injury, stress, posture or long periods of inactivity can leave a joint stiff and the muscles around it tight and sore. Chiropractors often call this a "subluxation".
What does it feel like?
Most people find adjustments comfortable. You may hear a click or pop, which is gas released from the joint fluid, the same as cracking your knuckles. It doesn't happen every time and isn't needed for the adjustment to work.
If an area is very sore or inflamed, pressure can be uncomfortable. Tell us. We'll adjust our approach or choose a different treatment for that visit.
Lighter-touch options
Besides manual (diversified) adjustments, our doctors use low-force techniques, including an adjusting instrument (Activator) and drop-table (Thompson) techniques. See the FAQ for the techniques each doctor uses.
Is it right for me?
Your first visit includes a history and exam. If something needs imaging or a medical evaluation first, we'll tell you and refer you. Adjustments are often combined with therapeutic exercise and other modalities, based on your exam.