Understanding A Few Types Of Chiropractic Adjustment

If you have a painful condition, then your medical issue may be something that can be assisted through chiropractic adjustment. There are several different adjustments that can be made during your appointment. To learn about two of the most common ones, keep reading.

Forceful Manipulations

If you have ever been to a chiropractor or have seen a commercial for a chiropractic professional, then you have likely seen the way that a traditional manipulation is performed. This is where a swift and forceful movement is performed to force bony structures back into position after a slight shift. When the vertebrae shift, pressure is released from between the vertebral structures and gas is forced out in the process, creating the telltale pop. 

Forceful manipulations are for people who have muscle strains and minor spinal column shifts. They are performed on healthy people who are free from arthritic conditions or other types of joint and musculoskeletal issues that can lead to injury if too much pressure is placed on the spine. 

Keep in mind that an x-ray is often required before forceful manipulations are performed. This way, your chiropractic professional can be sure that the adjustment is made on a spine that is free from injury. And while some chiropractors only require a single x-ray every one to two years, others may ask for one every six months.

Gentle Stretching

If you have pain due to osteoarthritis or a vertebral disc injury, then forceful manipulations may cause even more pain. In this situation, your chiropractor can make spinal adjustments by stretching out the body. This can relax the muscles in such a way that the vertebra and other bony structures gently move back into their appropriate position. 

In addition to massage techniques, the arms, legs, and neck may be bent or extended in a way to release tension. This can encourage a better range in movement in all of the joints. This is called indirect positioning, and gentle force may also be used if you are feeling no discomfort from the indirect techniques.

The chiropractor may also make use of counter pressure on cramped and tight muscles. This form of adjustment requires you to tighten the target muscles as the chiropractor presses against them. 

If you want to know more about whether you pain condition can be assisted through adjustment, or if you want to learn more about the different types of adjustments that can be completed, speak with a chiropractic professional.