To achieve natural and optimal pain relief and general health, visit Dr. Jolene Laughlin at The Homeplace Chiropractic in Greeley, CO, for gentle, low-force chiropractic adjustments.
Your Guide to Chiropractic Adjustments and Manipulation
Though it seems strange to some, proper spinal alignment is vital for both general health and living without pain. In this guide, Dr. Laughlin and the team at The Homeplace Chiropractic in Greeley, CO, share some of the many ways in which a misalignment can impact you, as well as how chiropractic adjustments can reduce or eliminate this impact.
Effects of Spinal Misalignment
Even a slight misalignment can impact you from head to toe. joint is restricted or jammed, proper motion becomes impossible. The body responds by creating compensation patterns that allow us to keep moving functioning; however, these patterns create abnormal wear and tear on other joints and structures. If uncorrected, this eventually results in inflammation, pain, and damage to those areas as well.
The surrounding muscles overcompensate to protect the area but still allow movement, and this can result in a cascade of negative events. For instance, the spinal discs may sustain more pressure than they can withstand and develop a bulge or a tear. A bulge can put painful pressure on nearby structures, including the nerves. A tear allows the inner filling of the disc to spill out onto surrounding nerves and muscles, causing inflammation, irritation, and pain that may radiate or travel to other parts of the body.
In addition to the muscles and discs being overworked, the ligaments and tendons become strained. All of this tends to lead people to put more of their weight on one side than the other. It also leads to issues such as:
- Knee, hip, and even foot pain
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Chronic muscle tension in the back, neck, and shoulders
- Headaches and migraines
- Trouble sleeping and concentrating
- Chronic fatigue and much more
Correcting Misalignment Through Adjustments
The most effective method for addressing the neuromusculoskeletal issues mentioned above is to remove the issue causing them. Spinal adjustments are a method that does just that by restoring alignment to the spine. In doing so, the pressure, tension, and strain caused by the misalignment are removed from the body, resulting in natural relief from pain and other symptoms.
Adjustments are at the core of chiropractic practice and are typically combined with other methods to ensure optimal and lasting relief. However, you don’t have to be in pain to take advantage of the benefits of adjustments. Regular visits to your chiropractor can help maintain spinal alignment, preventing pain and various injuries before they begin.
Visit Dr. Laughlin at The Homeplace Chiropractic in Greeley, CO, for low-force, “no pop” chiropractic adjustments by calling (970) 673-8486 to schedule your appointment today.
What are drop tables? Tables with separate segments that can be lifted by levers and set at a specific tension determined by the chiropractor. When the adjustment is delivered, the table "drops," allowing gravity to assist in the adjustments. Less force is needed to deliver these types of adjustments and it is unnecessary for patients to be placed on their side in uncomfortable or awkward positions in order to receive an adjustment.
What does a chiropractic adjustment do? A chiropractic adjustment delivers a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust at a specific angle to a joint in the body that is not moving properly. The light, fast impact in the proper direction frees the "stuck" joint and allows it to resume normal motion. This eliminates irritation and inflammation in the region, resulting in reduced pain.
What does a chiropractic adjustment feel like? There are many different kinds of adjustments and chiropractic techniques, and they all feel different. Some adjustments cause a "popping" sound as gasses are released from the joint, others do not. Most people will find a style of adjusting that works best for them, and that's great. Chiropractic is not a one-size-fits all approach.