hat Noise You May Hear During a Chiropractic Adjustment

A “chiropractic” practice may take on different meanings depending on a chiropractic doctor’s focus. For instance, some chiropractors may employ clinical nutrition techniques and lifestyle advice, while others may center on rehabilitation methods for sports and other traumatic injuries. Others chiropractors may strictly adjust the spine, leaving the other secondary procedures to other providers. However, there is one common thread in nearly every chiropractic practice: performing chiropractic adjustments. A Phoenix, Arizona chiropractic adjustment is the cornerstone of the profession and remains the foundation of how we at Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor can help our patients.

What Is Spinal Adjustment?

Millions of chiropractic spinal adjustments are performed globally day in and day out. The health and pain relief benefits of chiropractic adjustments explain why they are so popular.

According to American Chiropractic Association, the purpose of spinal adjustment (or manipulation) is “to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury.”

Tissues injuries may have different origins, yet can still be treated with spinal adjustments. A tissue injury might come from a single trauma, such as overexertion from incorrectly lifting a heavy object. Or, it could develop over time through repetitive stresses, such as sitting at a computer in a poor spinal posture working a mouse.

Injured tissues experience changes that can cause pain, inflammation, pain, and restricted movement. Adjustments apply specific and controlled forces that can correct improper spinal alignment. Phoenix, AZ chiropractic adjustment of the affected joint and the soft tissues around it can relieve pain, restore range of motion and flexibility, promote healing, and affect overall health.

Chiropractic Adjustment in Phoenix, AZ Can Help Many Conditions

There are many reasons to visit a chiropractor besides relief from spinal pain. Chiropractic care can be an effective, natural way to help the body to heal. Chiropractic treatments can restore the proper spinal or joint alignment needed to activate the body’s innate healing mechanisms.

Conditions which may respond favorably to Phoenix, AZ chiropractic adjustment includes:

Acute and chronic neck pain and whiplash
Acute and chronic lower back pain
Upper back pain
Shoulder pain
Elbow pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Scoliosis
Sciatica
Inflammation reduction
Headache and migraine relief
Dizziness or vertigo
Sports injuries
Car accident injuries
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chiropractors are highly qualified healthcare professionals who possess a wide range of diagnostic skills. They are also trained to advise patients on exercise programs, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Plus, chiropractors can work with other healthcare providers as part of a complete treatment protocol.

Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor is a team of chiropractors, chiropractic assistants, and office staff that can work together to find the root cause of your health problems and manage them while targeting your priorities, including well-being and convenience. We are committed to providing relief and recovery without the use of addictive drugs and surgical interventions. We invite you to schedule an initial consultation and meet with the professionals in our office to discuss your situation and your unique needs.

That Noise You May Hear During a Chiropractic Adjustment

Sometimes it’s simply the unfamiliarity with how chiropractors help heal patients that cause some to hesitate to come in for an adjustment. Knowing that sometimes the chiropractor will elicit a cracking sound when manipulating the patient’s body, can be unsettling the first time. However, the patient’s resulting physical relief is immeasurable. At Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor, we understand how new patients sometimes feel during the first visits. In fact, he encourages questions and is happy to address patient concerns.

What Is a Subluxation?

A chiropractor might explain that a subluxation is a joint that no longer has its normal range of motion. When a Phoenix, AZ chiropractor is performing a chiropractic adjustment on a patient, he or she is adjusting a subluxation, or stuck joint. Stuck joints or subluxations can present with any of these symptoms:

A lack of motion, or stiffness.
The inability to stand up straight or turn one’s head.
Inflammation.
Loss of function.
Pain.

The Popping Sound

When your chiropractor adjusts a subluxation, they may use any number of methods to do so. One of the most common is to locate the area of the spine that needs adjustment. With a quick but painless thrust of their hands, a popping sound may emit from the treated area and the subluxation is corrected. Contrary to popular belief, the bones are not cracked. In fact, the chiropractic adjustment opens the joint which releases the sticky substance that caused the joint to stick in the first place. That release can cause the popping sound, otherwise known as a cavitation. It’s actually a release of gas.

How the Spine Works

Synovial joints are the joints of the spine. Synovial joints generate what is known as synovial fluid. It lubricates the joints for ease of movement. When the synovial joints generate this fluid, they also generate gases: CO2, nitrogen, and oxygen. After your chiropractor adjusts a subluxation which may result in the popping sound, the synovial fluids are once again able to lubricate the joints and the patient regains mobility.

How a Chiropractic Adjustment Works

Your chiropractor can review this with you during your visit. Generally speaking, this is what happens when a chiropractic adjustment on a patient:

He uses a high velocity but short arm thrust on a vertebra.
This results in joint cavitation by the release of gases.
The patient feels a sense of relief in most cases. In some cases, they may experience a minor and brief sense of discomfort if they tense up during the adjustment or if the surrounding muscles are in a state of spasm.

Schedule a Phoenix, AZ Chiropractic Adjustment Today

If you’re experiencing stiffness or pain in your back, you may benefit from a chiropractic visit. Lower back pain sufferers have discovered the healing effects of a subluxation adjustment. Call us at Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor – today to schedule an appointment for a consultation, exam, and a possible chiropractic adjustment Phoenix, AZ patients find relief from. Dr. Monte Hessler is a skilled chiropractor who can provide you with the relief you need.