How Chiropractic Adjustment Works

Chiropractic adjustment or spinal adjustment is one of the techniques invented by Daniel David Palmer, founder of chiropractic in the 19th century. This technique is known to be the most effective treatment for low back pain, making it the most commonly used technique by chiropractors.

Chiropractic adjustment works by manipulating vertebrae that do not function normally and cause pain in the affected areas. Then a highly skilled and precise movement is applied by hand to a specific joint in your body; This manipulation will loosen the joint and restore its proper movement and function.

Many of the things we do every day often lead to back pain and misalignment of the spine. An adjustment can be good for realigning your joints, achieving significant improvements not only in your movements, but also in your nervous system. In addition, it has been shown to help patients feel more relaxed and flexible.

What are the types of chiropractic adjustments?

The chiropractic adjustment also has several types of techniques. Chiropractors use them in combination depending on the severity of complications per patient. The most used techniques in chiropractic are the following:

1. Gonstead Technique

Using the hand, the patient lies on their side while adjustments are made to the lower back and pelvis. Chiropractors use it to realign the joints, reduce pain and stiffness, and then loosen the joints to increase mobility. This technique is widely used as it is widely taught to chiropractic students during their early education and training process.

2. Technical activator

Chiropractic adjustment using activator techniques uses a handheld device that emits a gentle impulse, stimulating certain points on the spine and other extremities. The handheld device produces light blows to the body and treats low back pain and certain types of headaches. This technique is often used for older people, as they are more comfortable with it.

3. Flexion distraction

This technique is used by most chiropractic clinics, an excellent option when it comes to problems such as joint pain, herniated disc, scoliosis, and other conditions of the lumbar spine. This treatment uses a specially designed adjustment table, allowing chiropractors to gently perform a stretching motion on patients.

4. Technical drop table

This chiropractic adjustment technique uses a specially designed table that has padded platforms and can be adjusted to allow the chiropractor to apply a quick push to make an adjustment. The falling motion that makes patients feel a kind of vibration makes them feel more comfortable in the spine and other extremities.

5. Diversified technique

This technique is probably the same as Gonstead’s and is also widely used by chiropractors. This type of chiropractic adjustment involves precise hand thrusts that are aimed at restoring proper movement and alignment of the spine. The high-speed, low-amplitude thrusts result in joint cavitation that causes the popping noise that is often associated with a chiropractic adjustment.