For over a hundred years, millions of people have benefited from the natural, drug-free chiropractic approach, observing physical and emotional improvements as their body functions are freed from stress caused by vertebral subluxation stress.

What Is A Spinal Adjustment?

A spinal adjustment is a special procedure your chiropractor uses to correct or relieve your vertebral subluxation complex. It can be a very powerful procedure. At the moment that a chiropractor corrects your vertebral subluxation, the flow of nerve impulses over the spinal cord and spinal nerves is normalized and your body begins to renew and rebuild itself.

The Same Goal

But all chiropractors have the same goal in common - the elimination or reduction of the subluxation.

Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques

Not all chiropractors work alike. The chiropractic profession has developed nearly a hundred different methods used to analyze the spine for Subluxations and adjust the Subluxations away. These methods are referred to as "techniques". Most chiropractors are familiar with at least a few of the many available. Each chiropractor usually has a favorite one that he or she employs for the majority of patients. Why not ask your chiropractor what type of adjusting technique he or she uses and why?

How Should I Feel After An Adjustment?

After an adjustment you may experience a feeling of deepening peace and relaxation. This relaxed feeling may last for the rest of the day or the week and may lead to deep refreshing sleep. Others have at times felt a warm feeling flowing to various parts of their bodies that's very soothing. Some feel very energetic and do all their chores or business that day with a light, happy feeling.

Others may find that the problems that they came to the chiropractor for have begun to lessen and there are some people who feel no difference after an adjustment. That does not necessarily mean that they are not benefiting from their adjustments, it just means that they're not feeling any external reaction.

A small minority may feel discomfort or muscle soreness, or some other uncomfortable feeling; this is sometimes called an "adjustment reaction".

How will the adjustment help me?

Chiropractic adjustments by themselves do not actually heal the body. When any of the 24 moveable spinal vertebrae become misaligned, a basic imbalance or disruption can occur in the nervous and blood vascular systems, which may contribute to stress in the body. Chiropractic adjustments help eliminate that imbalance or disruption so that the body can function at its true potential.

Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?

No, it is a common misconception that your joints must make a noise to be properly adjusted. However, more often than not when your vertebrae are adjusted, the smooth articular (joint) surfaces become separated, creating and then releasing a small vacuum, making a noise. This is the sound made when you crack your knuckles. Your chiropractor is concerned with the position of your vertebrae, not with the noise that may occur.

Does the adjustment hurt?

Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjust-ments are painless. In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. It is also common to feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root.

As You Continue Your Care

As you continue your chiropractic care and your spine and nervous system continue to release deep-seated stresses as part of your healing process, you may begin to notice:

• Better balance, smoother movement, and as a result, more energy.

• Increased awareness of your spine, its movements, areas of tightness and/or restrictions.

• Increased ability to breathe more deeply and more awareness of your breathing.

• Increased awareness of your body stress.

• More emotional relaxation.

• You may spontaneously change your eating habits.

• You may feel an increased desire to exercise, go for walks or become more sensitive to your work and leisure.

Your doctor of chiropractic welcomes you to discuss your experiences as you begin to live a subluxation-free life.

Many of the changes chiropractors and patients have observed are shown on the following pages, but these pages are not the complete picture. More benefits of chiropractic are being discovered all the time. Perhaps you'll discover some for yourself.

Help awaken your "inner doctor".

Is it true that Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery?

Yes. Chiropractors do not include medication or surgery in their treatment program. Chiropractors maintain that the body has a built-in capacity to restore health within certain limits, and base their care on this principle. Occasionally, the use of medication can interfere with the body's healing mechanisms, produce side effects, create a dependence and lead to drug-caused disease or complications. The first response in most illnesses and injuries should be conservative care. Chiropractic's principles make it possibly the safest and most appealing of the healing arts. 

Any questions?

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