Answering Common Questions about Chiropractic Adjustments
Doctors of chiropractic medicine are highly trained specialists who evaluate and treat conditions that affect the joints. Although chiropractors can treat any joint in the body, they are best known for providing back and neck pain relief. Chiropractors can use various treatment modalities to help patients heal, including chiropractic adjustments. If you’ve never received an adjustment before, you may wish to ask your chiropractor a few questions before he or she gets started. Here are the answers to a few common questions about chiropractic care.
Are adjustments safe?
Chiropractic care has a longstanding record of superior safety. It’s been widely recognized by sports medicine experts as one of the safest treatments, in part because it is noninvasive and drug-free. Many patients try adjustments as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that is intended to prevent or delay the need for surgery. Adjustments provided by a licensed chiropractor can also help reduce the need for drugs and lower the risk of future injuries.
What happens during an adjustment?
Before you receive an adjustment, the provider will review your medical history, ask you some questions about your symptoms, and perform a meticulous evaluation of your functional deficits. If you’re a good candidate for an adjustment, you’ll be asked to lie on a treatment table. The position you lie in will depend on the exact region of the spine that is being adjusted. For example, if the treatment area includes your neck, you may lie on your back while the chiropractor stands behind your head. The chiropractor will palpate the affected area to identify the specific structures that are out of alignment. Then, he or she will apply carefully controlled force to nudge the joints back into place. You’ll likely hear a popping sound and feel an immediate sense of relief.
Will I Be Sore After a Chiropractic Adjustment?
If you suffer from pain in any part of your body, chiropractic treatment can be highly beneficial for you. It’s only natural to wonder, of course, whether you will feel sore after undergoing an adjustment at the hands of a chiropractor. It’s common to experience some lingering soreness in the areas of your body where you were treated for at least a few hours after your treatment. Many patients describe this soreness as being comparable to the sensation they would feel after an intense hour or two of exercise. You can relieve this soreness by applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Avoid using heat.
Can children and pregnant women receive adjustments?
Yes, chiropractic care has been shown to be highly beneficial for both pediatric patients and pregnant women. The chiropractor may make modifications to the treatment process to ensure the adjustment is safe for the patient.
What Can I Expect After A Chiropractic Adjustment?
When you see a chiropractor for a spinal adjustment, he may give you recommendations to improve your condition and to help maximize the benefits of your treatment. This advice often includes the use of stretching, exercising, or a similar protocol.
Watch this video to learn about what to expect after your adjustment. Once your chiropractor completes your treatment, he may discuss supplements and nutritional changes for you to consider taking advantage of, as well as range-of-motion exercises for you to perform throughout the day.