Q:  What is an adjustment?

A:  As a chiropractic patient, you should know some of the details concerning spinal adjustments.  We've mentioned that spinal adjustments help the body correct the spinal misalignments called subluxations.  An adjustment is the chiropractic art of gently freeing the spinal bones in areas where they are stuck so the body can correct its own subluxations by returning the bones to a more normal position and motion.

Q:  Do adjustments feel good?

A:  Generally speaking, you won't feel much, either way.

Q:  Can I adjust myself?

A:  No!  Chiropractors are the only doctors trained to locate and correct the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Q:  "What's the difference between an adjustment and manipulation?"

A:  There is a big difference..Spinal manipulation is a forceful movement of bones back to where the doctor wants them to be.  An adjustment is the gentle release of stuck or misaligned areas of the spine allowing the body to correct subluxation itself.

Q:  How frequently should you have adjustments and why?

A:  The spine is never really "out" or "in"...  it is returning to normal function.  As a result of this, continuous input of adjustments is necessary to allow the spine to heal, in time, to as close to normal as possible.  Muscle habit patterns take time to heal.  Certainly, there are immediate physiological changes with chiropractic care.  However, actual correction of subluxations takes time and repeated adjustments.

Q:  Do adjustments treat actual injuries?

A:  No.  As it happens, the subluxation is found in the spine and because of that, the Chiropractor relates what he/she does to the spine.  As the subluxation is eliminated, the body will be better able to heal itself when injured.

Q:  What is the noise?

A:  Some people have noisy joints.  For example, when they stoop, they can hear their ankles and their hips and their knees make noises.  Those of you who are "noisy" will hear noises when you are adjusted.  Those of you who are not will hear nothing.  The noise is not related in any way with the effectiveness of the adjustment.

Q:  How should you feel after an adjustment?

A:  Actually, some people may feel elated.  This is usually a mental response.  Others may feel as though they have a muscular sensation.  This can be either a mental response or the effort of the body to bring the spine back into alignment.

Q:  Can I have adjustments if I have spinal disease or have had spinal surgery?

A:  Certainly.  It is the Chiropractor's responsibility to know the spine he/she is working on.  Each spine is as unique as a finger print.  A Chiropractor is a specialist in determining the exact areas and degrees of subluxation.  He/she knows how to work with or around any areas in the spine and how to do exactly what is necessary to release the most subluxation possible during each office visit.

Q:  Can I adjust other people?

A:  No!  It takes a special doctor, a Chiropractor, highly trained, to find subluxation and to give a scientific, specific adjustment.