Chiropractic Adjustment Woodstock GA

More than 35 million Americans seek the help of chiropractors each year to improve their range of motion, relieve pain and muscle spasms, and increase flexibility. Chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA (also called spinal manipulation or joint manipulation) is a therapeutic procedure done by a licensed chiropractor using hands or special instruments to apply controlled force to manipulate joints in your body.

The chiropractor will use pressure to manipulate your joints in order to realign your spine and reduce pain and discomfort.

A chiropractic adjustment can help reduce pain and correct your body’s alignment and how your body functions physically. Chiropractic adjustments offer treatment that complements the traditional medical care you receive.

What Is A Spinal Misalignment and What Causes It?

A spinal misalignment is a condition in which one or more vertebrae are out of place. This may be the result of an injury, chronic tension, or other issue.

Spinal misalignment can be caused by a number of factors, including injury such as from a car accident or fall; muscle contractions from chronic tension that pull your joints out of alignment; poor posture (either while awake or while sleeping); and repetitive motions.

When the spine is misaligned or stuck, this can create inflammation and irritate spinal nerves, causing pain and other problems. Chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation helps to correct spinal misalignments.

Each person who seeks a chiropractic adjustment has a unique reason for their appointment, but all chiropractic adjustments treat the musculoskeletal system. Some people go for a chiropractic adjustment when they have the following conditions:

Arthritis
Frequent headaches
Joint pain and dysfunction
Healing after an accident or whiplash
Lower back pain
Sciatica
Neck pain
Stiff muscles or muscle aches

Chiropractors make sure not only that your joints are moving properly, but also that your surrounding muscles are functioning as well.

Chiropractic adjustments focus on alleviating symptoms that affect the musculoskeletal system. This could be to treat aches and pain, muscle stiffness, or chronic conditions. Some people choose to get a chiropractic adjustment if they want an alternative form of treatment that doesn’t involve taking prescription medicine.

A chiropractic adjustment is an effective treatment option for all ages, including both children and adults. The most common age range for patients seeking chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA is between 45 and 64 years old.

You should receive a proper examination before a chiropractic adjustment to ensure that you are a good candidate for chiropractic care. If chiropractic care is not appropriate for your condition, the chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider to help you.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

A chiropractic adjustment works by a chiropractor applying a high velocity, low amplitude thrust to a stuck or misaligned spinal joint or vertebra, sometimes referred to as a vertebral subluxation. This restores spinal motion and function to the restricted joint, decreasing localized inflammation and nerve irritation, decreasing pain and associated local muscle spasm.

The spinal adjustment or manipulation is often accompanied by a popping sound, termed joint cavitation, which is caused by a pressure change in the joint capsule and the release of nitrogen gas.

This release of joint pressure with the adjustment will often also be accompanied by an immediate feeling of pain relief and an immediate improvement in the spinal movement and overall mobility in the area of the adjustment.

There are a number of different approaches or techniques of adjustments. Some of the most common chiropractic adjustment techniques are Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson, Activator, and Chiropractic Biophysics. In our Woodstock chiropractic clinic Advanced Health Solutions – GA Spine & Disc, we utilize all of these techniques, depending on the specific needs of the patient.

Almost all adjustments have the goal to correct spinal and vertebral misalignment and to restore movement. Because each individual patient is unique, each chiropractic adjustment will be customized to the particular patient.

Chiropractic manipulation has been demonstrated to reduce pain, reduce inflammation, restore joint biomechanics, and reduce localized muscle spasms. When combined with other chiropractic treatments, it has also been shown to improve overall global spinal movement and improve posture.

What To Expect During A Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractors typically work on the spine but can also target the head, neck, hips, knees, and ankles. It all depends on where you are feeling pain and what muscles, joints, and bones that pain is associated with.

To determine where to perform the chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA, a chiropractor will usually go through the following steps:

Physically examine your spine by analyzing your posture.
Discuss your health history, including any medical conditions and past surgeries.
Order an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some chiropractors do this for every patient, others depending on their history and condition.
Analyze your range of motion by checking reflexes and moving your joints.

Once the chiropractor has identified the areas that need adjustment, he/she will then use their hands, or a small handheld tool, to place a quick and sudden amount of pressure on the affected area. The force is intended to push the joint through its full range of motion.

The procedure itself is usually not painful but can cause a cracking sound or sensation as your bones move back into place. How soon you will notice benefits after an adjustment depends on individual factors, but as many as 60% of patients feel relief after their first visit, while 30% may need two or three adjustments.

Many people experience fewer headaches, less stiffness, and often state that they get a better night’s sleep because their body feels more relaxed after a chiropractic adjustment.

Preparing for Chiropractic adjustment

Chiropractors aim to improve your overall health by adjusting your spine to stimulate your body’s nervous system. Though chiropractic care is one of the most established alternative medicines currently available, it can still be nerve-racking to get a chiropractic adjustment and ensure it is effective.

To receive a good chiropractic adjustment, you should have a good idea of what will happen during your appointment and communicate your needs to the chiropractor clearly. You should also be aware of the possible side effects of the adjustment so you can distinguish between a side effect and a possible health issue due to the adjustment.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re contemplating going for a chiropractic adjustment.

Be Aware of What A Chiropractic Adjustment Is

To adjust you properly, a chiropractor looks for subluxations. A subluxation is a joint that has lost its full range of motion or is stuck. Stuck joints can cause stiffness, inflammation, discomfort, and an inability to move in certain ways. They can also lead to headaches and other issues related to irritated nerve tissue in your spine. Chiropractors use a spinal adjustment, also called manipulation, to release a subluxation.

Chiropractors will make an adjustment to release pressure in the area and relieve any discomfort or pain. The technique used to make your chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA will depend on your comfort level and needs.

Recognize That Loud Pops or Cracks Are Not Your Bones Breaking

It’s important to remember that chiropractic adjustment is not the act of cracking bones or resetting a bone. Instead, the purpose of an adjustment is to open up the joint, also known as gapping the joint.

As the joint opens, there is an audible release of gas between your joints. The release of gas is due to the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. This release can lead to a loud popping sound.

If you’re uncomfortable with the popping sound, remember that it is simply a sign that the adjustment has helped to open up a stiff joint.

Dress in Loose, Comfortable Clothing

Prepare for the session by wearing clothing that is loose and breathable, such as a loose top and loose pants or stretchy workout pants and a breathable shirt. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing as this could make it more difficult for the chiropractor to make the necessary adjustments.

Lie Down and Relax on The Patient Bed

To receive a good adjustment, you should try to approach the session in a relaxed, calm manner. The chiropractor will ask you to lie face down on a padded chiropractic table. You should let your arms hang towards the floor so your spine is relaxed. This will also help to fan out the vertebrae on your spine, which will make it easier to do the adjustment.

During the session, you should keep your body relaxed. Avoid crossing your legs or bending your legs, as this can interfere with the adjustment.

Ask the Chiropractor to Walk You Through Exactly What He/She Is Doing During the Appointment

To make you feel more at ease and to prepare you for the adjustment, have the chiropractor talk you through everything he does during the session. He/she should instruct you to breathe in and out deeply as she applies force to a joint. He/she may also warn you that you may hear a popping or cracking sound so you are not alarmed by the sound.

Let the Chiropractor Know If You Are in Any Pain or Experiencing Any Severe Discomfort

You can do this by raising your hand if you start to feel any pain or raising yourself off the padded table and telling the chiropractor to use a lighter touch. Be communicative during the session so the chiropractor is aware of your comfort level as this will ensure you have a positive experience.

Often, chiropractors will make the adjustment quickly and with precise force. You may experience aching or soreness around the adjusted joint right after the chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA. But this is normal. However, you should not experience any intense pain or discomfort due to the adjustment, as this may be an indication that it was not done properly.

Once the session is over, you should rise up slowly on your side. Avoid sitting up from your back or straddling the bench, as these movements could destabilize your adjusted joint. You should also avoid rubbing or poking the adjusted area.

Side Effects or Complications of a Chiropractic Adjustment

After a chiropractic adjustment, you may feel tired or sore. Some people might get mild headaches after a chiropractic adjustment. However, these side effects are temporary.

In very rare cases, a chiropractic adjustment may cause serious complications such as:

Herniated disks
Pinched nerves in the lower spine (cauda equina syndrome)
Stroke

A chiropractic adjustment is generally considered safe when performed for the right condition to the right candidate by a chiropractor who is properly trained and licensed to practice chiropractic care. Complications are rare, but they are possible.

You have a higher risk of side effects or complications if you have adjustments from people who aren’t trained and licensed. Only a licensed, professional chiropractor should treat you.

Recovery Time for A Chiropractic Adjustment

Many people feel almost immediate relief from symptoms after a chiropractic adjustment. After treatment, you might feel sore for 24 hours.

The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore your health over the long term, rather than to relieve your symptoms short term.

Your chiropractor will encourage you to learn about new ways to position your body at your desk, when you are standing and moving and when you are in bed. They might also recommend incorporating stretches into your daily routine. These long-term tips can help prevent future problems.

It is important to inform your primary care physician about any pain you are experiencing, whether recent or chronic (lasting more than three months). Your primary care doctor can rule out potentially serious problems that need treatment beyond a chiropractic adjustment.

Bottom Line

Chiropractic adjustments might be right for you if you experience pain and want an alternative form of treatment. Someone dealing with joint pain, back pain, or headaches might consider visiting a chiropractor.

Most people will feel immediate relief after a chiropractic adjustment, while others could experience temporary minor pain after treatment. One of the common reasons people seek chiropractic care is because it is a completely drug-free therapy.

The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore normal joint function and muscle balance. Treatments are also promoted for reducing stress on the immune system or reducing the potential for disease—although there is no evidence that chiropractic treatment impacts the immune system or disease susceptibility. Chiropractic care aims to treat the entire body, including your ability to move, perform, and even think.

If you are unsure if seeking chiropractic adjustment Woodstock GA is right for you, consult your primary care provider about your symptoms and concerns.