- Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during four intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain and restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient.
- Chiropractic adjustments correct structural misalignment and malfunction by promoting and improving joint mobility. Since the structure of anything determines how it functions, if the structure of the body is not right it cannot function properly. A misaligned spine will lead to joint restrictions, which cause a reduction in movements such as bending and twisting. In addition, muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine can be damaged or irritated by a misaligned or restricted joint. As a result, inflammation and spasm will be present with an acute injury and the muscles will be weak and fatigued with a long term chronic problem. Furthermore, a misaligned spine with improper motion can lead to degeneration if left untreated.