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CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS The adjustments in this office are done with the gentlest techniques available today. An instrument called an Activator may be used to make the adjustment or the table that the doctor uses may have a dropping mechanism that uses gravity to assist in the adjustment. Either technique is very effective and uses the least amount of force possible to get the job done. Some adjustments made by the chiropractor consists of a high velocity, short lever arm thrust applied to a vertebra, which is often accompanied by an audible release of gas (joint cavitation). The audible sound is caused by the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, which releases joint pressure. The sensation is usually relieving, though minor discomfort has been reported (that usually lasts for only a short period of time) if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure. There are times when an audible sound does not occur and this is often due to either significant muscle splinting or the patient may not be adequately relaxed during the chiropractic procedure. At times like this, it is sometimes best for the chiropractor to apply ice, have the patient rest, or do massage prior to attempting spinal manipulation. EXTREMITY ADJUSTMENTS Extremity adjustment or manipulation is used to correct joint fixations anywhere in the body other than the spine. This includes many troublesome areas, such as the TMJ, ribs, shoulders, wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and the bones in the foot. When any joint is fixed or does not move properly, it stretches the attached ligaments, triggering sensory receptors to signal the brain. The result is pain in the affected joint. The brain sends a signal back to the adjacent muscles, reducing their strength in order to protect them. After manipulation of the extremity by a properly trained chiropractor, the stretched ligament goes back to its normal length, and the brain allows full strength to return to the adjacent muscles. Pain also decreases immediately. Sometimes lax or overstretched ligaments and tendons make a joint unstable and let it move too much. In this case, adjusting the joint alone is not enough to correct the problem. Strengthening exercises and perhaps taping must be used to permit the ligament to tighten and restore stability to the joint. Extremity manipulation provides excellent results for many patients and often helps them to avoid surgery. |
