Spinal adjustments, spinal manipulations, cracky backy whatever you want to call it, it is all doing the same thing. Talking to your nervous system. Adjustments are great but the education and intention behind them is far more important than what is actually going on in your tissue.When chiropractors perform adjustments there may or may not be a popping sound. If a sound is heard it is simply a gas bubble forming in the fluid surrounding your joints. The goal with an adjustment is to talk to your nervous system which will allow for a short term increase in range of motion and pain relief. The most important thing is that the adjustment will allow you to move easier which gives you time to create strength and stability in the areas needed. By having this short term relief you will be able to see your body’s capabilities which will type a different message up to your brain telling it you can move through this range of motion and access this range all on your own. Can you get that short term relief without an adjustment? 10000000% yes. You just need to find the ways that work best for your body and mind!
But can’t chiro’s find the exact location that NEEDS to be adjusted?!? First off nobody needs an adjustment. It is a nice relieving tool but it is not changing your bone structure or fixing anything. Chiropractors do not fix you because you are not broken. Additionally, we are not specific in our adjustments and the method of adjustment is irrelevant. Whether you get the popping sound from a chair, someone walking on your back, or a chiro we all do not know the specific location the cavitation is coming from.
So why do we see “changes in alignment” after an adjustment? After an adjustment your body is moving better due to the recent nervous system stimulation .This can show as a shift in a leg length or a untiilted head, but you must realize this is short term and you can get to that point without the adjustment. Another reason for this change is practitioner implicit bias, the unconscious bias that affects our actions in a way contrary to our intentions. Most chiro’s do not intentionally scam you, but subconsciously they are. Find a provider that educates you about your body, provides resources for mindset shifts, and promotes overall movement. Pain is not always mechanical or physical; it is also not always a bad thing. Don’t get manipulated by the scam providers;)
Now you may be asking why even go to a chiropractor? Believe it or not chiropractors have a very thorough education on the human body including the brain body connection. We forsure can not realign your bones( you can’t realign something that never went out of alignment) ,but we can guide you in a direction to shift your mindset and educate you on your body’s capabilities. We can help people process through their struggles differently than they would on their own. By talking to the nervous system we help the system achieve a place it may not have gotten to in a very long time allowing you to achieve that strength and stability your body is craving. One amazing thing that chiropractors are extensively trained at is ruling out red flags. We spend more time with you than a PCP will and can get to know you on a more personal level. This gives us the ability to truly get to the cause of your issues and reassure you that nothing is wrong with you, or find a plan if something serious is going on. We are here to listen, redirect, educate and support you through the pains of life.