What Is a Full-Body Chiropractic Adjustment?
The main way that chiropractors address concerns is through a procedure called an adjustment, sometimes known as spinal or joint manipulation. They perform these adjustments using their hands and special instruments with the goal of correcting any misalignments in the spine to reduce pain and improve physical function.
During an adjustment, the chiropractor is literally pushing joints back into their correct position. While this may sound simple and look like it is a brutal method, adjustments are actually very complex and can only be done by a professional. Each adjustment is unique to the patient and designed around the specific complaints they have presented with.
An adjustment is not as simple as just pushing the joints and the spine back to their proper position. They may need to be moved gradually, and in some cases, the chiropractor will be working against the body’s natural inclinations. If your spine and joints were misaligned for a long period of time, they might try to return to that position as your discs have gotten used to it. The chiropractor will slowly be able to teach your body how to return to proper alignment, but it can take time.
The majority of adjustments focus on your spine, as it controls much of your body’s function and is where misalignments are most common. However, a full-body adjustment can involve other parts of the body, even those that do not seem to be causing problems at the time.
