Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic care has been increasing in mainstream popularity as more success stories and positive research come out. If you have never been to a chiropractor, you might be wondering how they treat their patients, especially when everyone’s body is a little different. You may also be suffering certain types of injuries, pain or more severe health issues such as fibromyalgia or a herniated disc. It is always a good idea to speak with your primary physician about chiropractic care before proceeding.
A spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association claims there are at least 150 techniques in chiropractic books, so it is fair to say that most chiropractors use more than one kind of adjustment strategy to accommodate each patients’ unique needs. Before being treated by a chiropractor, ask whether they use more forceful techniques or gentle and gradual adjustments. Both ways are effective, it just depends on your comfort with one or the other. As the doctor works with you, they will probably ask whether something felt good or was within your comfort zone. Let them know so you can get the most beneficial treatment outcome.
Common Techniques
There are a few techniques commonly used by practitioners, and many will be happy to explain them to you in detail before or while they’re performing them.
High velocity, low amplitude thrusts
This is the most common technique and often creates a popping noise when the chiropractor puts your body in a specific position and applies a controlled force to one of your joints with their hands.
- Gonstead: An adjustment of the pelvis or lower back which reduces pain and increases mobility
- Diversified: Used for adjusting the spine using hands-on, precise thrusts for improving spinal alignment and movement
Low-force techniques
Depending on your health condition or preference, the chiropractor might need to use gentler techniques that do not require you to be twisted or cracked; health conditions needing this include osteoporosis, herniated discs or age.
- Flexion-Distraction: Also called decompression, a special table provides gentle stretching to the back, useful for herniated discs, scoliosis, and more
- Activator: A handheld device sends a gentle pulse to different areas, for back pain and migraines
Heal Your Body
Many chiropractors can provide spinal adjustments along with some physical or massage therapy and nutritional recommendations to further improve your health and wellness. Choose a chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Silver Spring, MD, who you think will work with your best interests in mind and who is willing to develop a health plan that complements your other health care providers.
Thank you to the experts at AmeriWell Clinics for their input into chiropractic care.
