When you hear the word “adjusts” in terms of your body, that can be a rather scary word. Many people are concerned about going to a chiropractor because they don’t like the idea of their bones and joints being “adjusted.” Another term that is commonly used is “manipulated,” and we here at Revive Medical Center understand how this can be a frightening term, too. Let’s talk about chiropractic adjustments and what it actually means to be manipulated by a chiropractor.
Chiropractic Adjustment Overview
When you are adjusted by a chiropractor, he or she uses their hands or a small medical instrument to apply force to a spinal cord or another joint. This force is sudden, but it is also controlled to reduce any associated risks with the procedure, which are rare. The goal of this force is to restore pain-free motion to the spinal cord, but this is a very general explanation of chiropractic medicine.
Other Advantages
Other advantages of chiropractic adjustments include an increase in blood flow and nerve conductivity to the affected joints and muscles. An example of this is relieving the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve extends from your cervical spine down your arms and into your hands. It routes through passageways in the arms called “carpal tunnels.” When these passageways compress against the median nerve, the painful carpal tunnel syndrome rears its ugly head.
A chiropractor can find the source of the compression, which can start in the spinal cord or in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the affected areas are usually the wrists. Chiropractic adjustments force the joints to release their compression of the median nerve. Once the nerve is no longer being squeezed by the joints, the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome will subside and blood flow and nerve conductivity are restored.
The Adjustment Itself
Depending on the need for adjustment and where the discomfort is located, a chiropractor may have the area massaged to relax the muscles before the manipulation. Once relaxed, the chiropractor will put your body into the best position for the adjustment, i.e. laying on your stomach for certain back adjustments. Using his or her hands or a medical instrument, the chiropractor will apply pressure to push the joints in the area beyond their motion range. This releases the pressure that is causing the discomfort.
If you still aren’t satisfied with this explanation, please give us a call here at Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. We would be happy to discuss chiropractic adjustments with you and schedule an appointment for a consultation.
