What is a chiropractic adjustment?
It is the normalization of a spinal joint motion and function AND the nerve function associated with that joint. Chiropractic adjustments also address non-spinal joints to restore motion and function.
Adjustments can be done by hand (chiro means hand), with an instrument and even with a low-level laser. Adjustments are tailored to each person’s size, age, condition and personal desire. Adjustments can be delivered to anyone at any age by using the appropriate method. People routinely report how great they feel after being adjusted.
The reason the spine is adjusted is because it houses 62 nerves that each communicate and control an average of 200 billion cells. Slight abnormal function of the spinal joints where these nerves exit can dampen of the function cells, tissues, muscles and organs. The best analogy for this function is a circuit breaker. If the circuits of the spinal nerves are affected, it ‘dimmer-switches’ or impedes the nerve function to some degree. Muscles controlled by those nerves can get tight and even spasm, motion can be restricted, strength diminished, function reduced and pain can also occur (but not always). The adjustment causes a quick change of motion to the joint, this causes a burst of change of position information to the brain. That resets the nerve dysfunction and mobilizes the joint. Some conditions can require repeated adjustments until the spine, as a unit, functions normally.