What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

AKA What the heck do you people do up there?

Treatment Room 1 Holistically Well Chiropractic Birmingham, MI

Our Birmingham, Michigan practice is located on the second floor of a lovely office building and the office below us is a wonderful dental practice with warm friendly people.  Shortly after we moved in, the office manager came up and asked us “what the heck do you guys do up here”?  They could hear a thud noise and were wondering if we were “throwing bodies around”.  We laughed and showed her how the break-away tables work, creating a thud noise during an adjustment.  NOTE:  We also quickly installed sound proofing flooring pads so as not to disturb them in the future!     

Some people have a perception of chiropractors twisting people into pretzels and snapping necks or making random loud cracking noises on a table.  Is that what they do?  Wait a minute – what is this profession all about? 

Chiropractors can help a variety of conditions, but they DO NOT heal people.  However, the natural healing result of the chiropractic adjustment is causally related to the innate ability of the human body to heal itself. 

Chiropractors DO remove interference to the nervous system, creating what we call homeostasis (The optimal function of an organism) and the body can enjoy normal function.

The nervous system controls the function of every organ, system, and cell in the human body.  If there is interference in the nervous system you can bet it is affecting the function of the body in other places besides where there is pain.    

First, we should examine how the human body heals itself. 

The body has multiple ways of healing itself.  Some examples of this include:

-         A scraped knee – the body creates a natural barrier to infection by producing a scab to cover and protect the body while the injury heals.  

-         A contusion (trauma or injury) – When you fall or get injured, blood vessels beneath the skin can break from the damage.  The body sends white blood cells to come and clean up the mess, reducing the appearance of the bruise over time while the new red blood cells form.

-         A broken bone – the body produces calcium and deposits it where the damage has occurred, essentially “knitting” the bone back together.

-         Allergens – the body uses coughing, sneezing, or watering eyes to rid the body of the irritants.

-         Virus, infections, and flu – the body uses multiple systems and emergency systems such as increasing body temp to kill off the virus, and/or induces a vomiting or diarrhea response to rid the body of foreign invaders, in addition to cough, sneeze, or runny nose.

Many people say they are “sick” when these symptoms occur, when the actual truth is that they are having a healthy response to an outside invader or physical challenge!  So, if you find yourself “praying to the porcelain god”, then you are having an extremely healthy response, ridding your body of the bacteria!

We are so AMAZING!!!

The nervous system and chiropractic:

Broadly speaking, the nervous system is organized into two main parts, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is the processing center of the body and consists of the brain and the spinal cord.  The spinal cord is housed in the spinal bones of the neck, mid back, low back, and pelvis, so it makes sense for chiropractors to understand the CNS in addition to the spine and skeletal system thoroughly. 

When there are even very slight misalignments or SUBLUXATIONS of these bones, the resulting effect on the nerves can create dysfunction of the nervous system. 

Now, the body is EXCEPTIONALLY good at overcoming problems and finds ways to compensate.  In most cases, PAIN is the very last symptom to show up when there is dysfunction. 

GETTING ON OUR NERVES!!!

Our bodies are complex machines that will show wear and tear of normal life and aging processes.  Oftentimes, there is nerve interference from a frayed, impinged or scraped nerve.  Think of cables of wires encased in a heavy plastic cover.  When the cover has been rubbed through by an outside repetitive force, the wires can show under the covering and then they become irritated by the continued rubbing of that outside force.    

In some cases, there is more of a “dimmer switch” effect.  Think about a switch on a wall and the light flow being full blast when all the way up, but over time, the switch is dimmed down to half light and then quarter light.  It may not be noticeable at first, and you can still see some light.  However, there is loss of light.  This would represent more of a loss of motion or crowding effect on the nerves.  This may present as body aches, headache, tension, or other concern people see as “minor”.  However, remember the pain is the last to show up, the other functions that nerve has in the body has already been diminished.  What if that nerve was responsible for making the stomach work properly?  Maybe digestion has been sluggish as well.   As nerve pressure is restored back to full function, the light returns!!!    

In more severe cases, nerves can be pinched by misalignments or subluxations and be compared to a garden hose being stepped on.  Even when the force on the hose is removed there may be a kink or loss of water flow for some time while the hose returns to the normal state. Removing this type of interference can take some time and repetition to hold the normal position.

How do we get subluxations?

Subluxation can be caused from physical, chemical, or emotional stresses. 

Physical – Examples of this could include an over-use injury, tough workout, raking leaves, sitting at a desk for long periods of time, repetitive movements or traumas.  These are the most identifiable types of subluxations because they seem easier to make a direct correlation.

Chemical – Examples of this could include pollution, anesthesia following dental work or surgery, harsh perfumes, or paint fumes. 

Emotional – Examples of this could include grief, anxiety, depression, or stress.

How much nerve pressure will cause a problem?  

The weight of a dime (2.2 grams) is enough weight to stop nerve flow conduction by up to 60%.  This statement is based on a study at the University of Colorado in the 1970s by Dr. Chung Ha Suh, Ph. D, and staff in the Biomechanics Department.   So, it clearly does not take much physical trauma to create nerve flow issues. 

How does a chiropractor remove the nerve interference?

First, they identify where the subluxations are located from using visual inspection, posture analysis, palpation, patient history and consultation, knowledge of nerve origins, and imaging from x-ray or CT/MRI.  Sometimes, because they are so good at doing this, they do this quickly and can carry on a conversation and you do not even realize all the things they are processing in a short period of time. 

Next, they determine the best technique for the patient based on those same factors and experience with these similar conditions. 

The actual adjustment is performed to move a specific joint back into proper position.  The chiropractor will use their hands or a tool and make a thrust to remove pressure off the nerve and work to position the bone or joint where it will create relief and be more natural.  Most adjustments are comfortable enough and people enjoy them once they understand the process.  If you are already in pain, it may be a bit uncomfortable for just a moment as your body is healing from inflammation and tissue swelling.  It usually takes several adjustments in the beginning to create a more stable positioning of the bone/joint as it may have been out of place for some time and muscles and soft tissues hold things both in and out of normal position. After being retrained, the bones and joints get used to be in alignment again and less adjustments are necessary to create stability. 

What techniques are available?  

In general, there are manual techniques and instrument adjusting techniques. 

The word “Chiropractic” comes from using the hands which is the main technique that chiropractors are taught in chiropractic colleges in the United States.  They use hands to make corrections to the bones to restore normal alignment. Some doctors use the chiropractic tables to assist with the adjustments so you may hear dropping table pieces during the manipulation.  You can adjust a patient in several different positions producing the same result, so a patient may be adjusted laying on back, side, face down, sitting up or standing.  They may push versus pull, and they may get creative about the way they are able to restore motion to a joint.

There are tools like the hand-held Activator or an electronic adjusting tool with accessories for muscle work and things like the technology driven Pro-Adjuster.  These deliver a very precise and specifically measured thrust that does not require hand manipulation.  Some conditions require this low force technique only.  They are proven to produce the same result as the manual adjustments and provide an alternate technique that may be more comfortable for acute injuries, small children, seniors. 

There are more techniques than these out there – chiropractic is an art, science, and philosophy, so each Doctor of Chiropractic has developed their own techniques in their private practice.

What is that popping noise?

There is often a release of gas in the joint that creates a noise that sounds like a “crunch” or “pop”.  This may not happen every time depending on the circumstances and does not affect the quality of the adjustment one way or the other.   Many people are familiar with “popping knuckles” in the hands and this is a similar release of gas.

Other Therapies Available

Many chiropractors also use multiple modalities to make the most of the adjustment outcomes.  Traction increases the disc space taking pressure off nerves and brings in fluids to keep the disc hydrated.  Cold laser and electric stimulation help to reduce inflammation and speed up tissue healing.  Massage therapy works muscles to release trigger points and fibrous knots, helping to restore the body to homeostasis.  The feet are the foundation of the musculoskeletal system and sometimes need support with orthotics.  Some offices offer casting and care for high quality support with custom make orthotics.  You may be given exercises and stretches to do to help between adjustments.   

Sickness Care vs Wellness Care – Your choice!  

Once you go to a chiropractor – you always must go back.  Have you heard that one? 

The simple truth is that you can choose to use chiropractic however you want.  The facts show that chiropractic works great for pain!  When I have a headache, the first thing I want is an adjustment, not a Tylenol! (No, headaches are not normal) I do not want to cover up the pain, I want to fix the cause!  For low back pain, studies show that chiropractic works better than back surgery, and faster than physical therapy, although each has their place in some cases. 

But what happens when you are out of pain?  Have your circumstances changed?  Do you still sit at a computer, carry a little extra weight around the middle, golf on the weekends and carry groceries in from the car?  Of course, you do!

These are the micro traumas of everyday life.  Just like your car needs an oil change at 3000 miles and you get a dental cleaning every 6 months, our spines need maintenance care. 

Maintenance care does make sense financially and creates a more stable health picture, avoiding the “blow-outs” at the worst possible time.  That is why many people choose to keep going back. 

If you choose pain care only, you can still expect good results, but maybe not lasting results and you may get a surprise “blow-out” at the worst time, but it sure feels good to get relief when you are suffering.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY  

Talk to you Doctor of Chiropractic about your expectations, techniques, other therapies, and the outcome expectations that they have for your specific case.  You should be an active partner with your doctor for your overall health.