Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments are the staple to chiropractic treatment. After a quick assessment of the joints related to your main complaint, the chiropractor will determine if the joint needs to be adjusted. Dr. Aucker and Dr. Dolbin are proficient in diversified technique, which essentially is a combination of all the popular techniques, such as Gonstead, Palmer, etc., and then some. In addition, we perform adjustments in the extremities to make sure we take care of the main problem and any additional factors that may be influencing your conditions. If you have any other questions or would like to make an appointment, please check out the FAQ’sorcontact us.

Why would a joint need adjusted?

The chiropractor assesses the movement of the joint. Those joints that don’t have a springiness at the end range are restricted. Most often, the restricted joint is painful to move so the muscles surrounding the restricted joint will spasm to create a natural splint to protect the joint. The objective to adjusting a joint is to restore normal motion within the joint. Sometimes the muscles will relax immediately following the adjustment due to a physiological response by the body.

 

Why do joints pop when they are adjusted?

When restoring natural movement to the joint with a rapid and precise manipulation, often times there will be an audible *pop* very similar to that of the sound of cracking your knuckles. One theory believes the audible release is due to a sudden release of nitrogen from the joint; a quick release in pressure. However, another theory is that it is due to the sudden release of suctioning pressure in the joint. To explain this: take your hands and press the palms of your hands together. Now quickly pull them away. You should hear a popping from the rapid release of the suction created by pressing the hands together.

 

I hate the cracking noise, do I still need to be adjusted?

Mobilization is a gentle form of manipulation in which the joint is slowly worked through the full range of motion. Many studies report benefits of mobilization to be identical to the benefits of manipulation. Sometimes, I’ve found that gentle mobilization works better than quick manipulation in older and younger patients.

 

Do adjustments hurt?

Most often, patients will experience relief immediately following an adjustment. However, in about 10% of cases, patients experience a mild soreness following the adjustment that is very similar to the soreness experienced following a workout session.