Spinal manipulation or chiropractic spinal adjustment is a medical therapy where certified practitioners apply a controlled force with their hands or with the help of a specific device to readjust the spine joints. The amount of pressure applied depends on the health condition of the patient. Spinal adjustment aims to align musculoskeletal structure and reinstate spinal flexibility appropriately.
Such adjustments work well for spinal injuries or stress from repetitive motion. People seek spinal adjustments from the best chiropractor to relieve back and neck pain and get rid of stress. Spinal manipulation is slightly different from spinal mobilization, where the force is used within a joint’s natural range of motion and can be controlled by the patient.
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Different types of Chiropractic spinal adjustment methods:
Over the last few decades, the chiropractic profession has grown immensely. Today, there are various specialized branches, proprietary techniques and methods of chiropractic treatments. Some of the effective chiropractic spinal adjustment techniques include:-
- Toggle Drop – Under toggle drop, a chiropractor presses down a specific area of the spine in the required motion with his crossed hands. Once he finds the spine has been pressed, he immediately adjusts the spine with the thrust. The main aim of the toggle drop spinal adjustment technique is to recover the spinal flexibility of the vertebral joints.
- Lumbar Roll – Also known as side posture chiropractic treatment, under the lumbar roll, the chiropractor positions the patient on a specific side and applies the thrust. The manipulative thrust applied readjusts the misaligned vertebrae back to their natural position.
- Table adjustments – Table adjustment is a type of chiropractic therapy performed on a chiropractic table. The patient lies on this special table, and the chiropractor puts on a quick thrust on the spine; as the force applies, the table drops down a bit. This drop allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions accompanying other techniques.
- Manipulation Under Anaesthesia (MUA) – This technique is used when the patient is unresponsive to other traditional chiropractic techniques and when the traditional processes don’t affect them. Under MUA, a certified chiropractor applies the thrust with specific tools.
Who can benefit from Spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment therapies?
Chiropractic treatment is for everyone, including infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. However, the treatment method can differ from patient to patient.
You can consult a certified chiropractor and ask for the treatment aligned with your need. You don’t need to prepare before a spinal adjustment. Depending on your condition, you will likely require several appointments.
At your first visit, your chiropractor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical exam. If needed, they’ll order diagnostic imaging tests to understand more about your musculoskeletal system.
After analyzing your symptoms and what might be causing your spine discomfort, your chiropractor will recommend a personalized treatment plan.
What happens during the spine adjustment?
To perform the typical spinal adjustment, the chiropractor asks the patient to lie face down or on his side on a specially designed chiropractic table. The chiropractor initially can apply heat, an electrical current, or an ultrasound device for those with muscle tightness or muscle sprain issues. This allows the muscles to relax before the spinal adjustment treatment begins.
The chiropractor assists patients in positions best suited to treating specific spinal misalignments. He then applies his crossed hands to provide the thrust to a particular joint. The speed, force, and time depend on the condition of the patient. The applied thrust can be gentle to strong, or in between.
During the therapies, you will hear cracking of your joints or spines. This is normal and harmless, caused by small air pockets or bubbles in the fluid surrounding your joints. Your chiropractor may also recommend additional treatments to relieve your specific symptoms.
Results to expect after the chiropractic spinal adjustment:
The chiropractic adjustment is highly effective in treating low back pain. Some studies also suggest that spinal manipulation can help find relaxation from headaches, migraines, and stress. However, not everyone responds to chiropractic adjustments in the same way- however, this treatment, if done right, ensures you get relaxed from the spinal injuries.
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