Chiropractic care’s central concept is that health and wellness are intertwined with the spine’s proper alignment. Spinal adjustments encompass the specific methods applied to vertebrae or joints to address their abnormal movement, position, or function. The focus on spine manipulation is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients with neck and back complaints.
Spinal correction – also known as spinal manipulation or spinal manipulative therapy – is one of the most popular chiropractic services. Using their hands or an instrument, a trained chiropractor applies controlled and sudden force to a joint to correct its positioning. Spinal adjustments can be done as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments such as spinal decompression therapy or cold laser therapy.
During spinal correction, patients are typically seated or placed flat on the back, though a face-down position is required in some cases. Patients may hear a crack or pop during the process, but these are normal when air pockets or bubbles are released around the joints.