Chiropractic adjustment

Overview

The chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which trained specialists called chiropractors use their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled force to a spinal joint. The goal of this procedure, also called spinal manipulation, is to improve spinal motion and the body's ability to move.

Why it's done

Low back pain, neck pain and headaches are the most common reasons why people seek chiropractic adjustments.

Risks

Chiropractic adjustments are safe when they are done by someone trained and licensed to do chiropractic care. Serious complications linked to chiropractic adjustments are rare. They may include:

• An issue with one of the rubbery cushions, called disks, that sit between the bones that stack to form the spine. The soft center of the disk slips out. This is called a herniated disk. An adjustment also can make a herniated disk worse.
• Pressure on nerves in the lower spine, also called compression.
• A certain type of stroke after an adjustment to the neck.

Don't seek a chiropractic adjustment if you have:

• Severe osteoporosis.
• Numbness, tingling, or loss of strength in an arm or leg.
• Cancer in your spine.
• An increased risk of stroke.
• An issue with how a bone in your upper neck is formed.

How you prepare

You don't need to do anything special before a chiropractic adjustment.

What you can expect

At your first visit, your chiropractor asks about your health history. Your chiropractor does a physical exam, with special concern for your spine. You also may need other exams or tests, such as X-rays.

During the procedure

During a chiropractic adjustment, most often your chiropractor puts you in certain poses to treat affected areas. You're likely to lie face down on a special padded chiropractic table. Using hands to apply a controlled force to a joint, your chiropractor pushes the joint past its usual range of motion. You may hear popping or cracking sounds as your chiropractor moves your joints during the treatment session.

After the procedure

Some people have minor side effects for a few days after chiropractic adjustment. These may include having headaches or pain in the parts of the body that were treated and being tired.

Results

Chiropractic adjustments can ease low back pain. Depending on the cause of your low back pain, you might need several sessions.

Research shows that spinal manipulation works to treat certain types of lower back pain. Some studies also suggest that chiropractic adjustments may work for headaches and other spine-related conditions, such as neck pain.

Not everyone responds to chiropractic adjustments. If your symptoms don't improve after a few weeks of treatments, chiropractic adjustments might not be the best treatment for you.