The spine is a hard area to self-regulate. Muscles fall into the same category as stimulating the entire structure is simple but isolating a problematic section can be quite hard. Did you know your spine is made up of 364 joints? It is common to have clusters of misalignments since your body is built to combine actions in a 3D motion while recruiting two or more movements simultaneously. This means if you bend your neck to the side, there will be a slight degree of opposite rotation included. It may not be enough for you feel right now, but if you remember the time you woke up with a stiff neck, your neck wasn’t stuck or in pain in only a single direction. Right?
What happens during a spinal adjustment?
A small precise force is produced, aimed at a joint to release built up pressure. The pressure may be represented as stiffness, pain, weakness or nerve symptoms. A crack or pop is often heard once the maneuverer has been performed, creating instant relief or decrease in symptoms.
Should I be afraid?
Chiropractors are trained health professionals focusing predominantly on adjustment-based therapy. Australian chiropractors are recognized by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority, which means we uphold the same expectations as other mainstream health care providers e.g., Doctors, surgeons, specialists, nurses.
For the people who watch movies of victims having their necks “snaped” from a twisting motion, those villains need to try a bit harder, unless we are talking about “The Exorcist”, which obviously is going well and beyond the neck’s normal range of motion. Chiropractors are well educated in understanding natural joint motion. Adjustments cause minimal but obvious movements ensuring safety with results.
Are there any side effects?
As all medication or therapies, there are risks for unwanted effects. Although infrequent, it can come as the form of aching or soreness around the joint or muscles. Applications of ice packs can reduce the symptoms relatively quickly.
