St. Charles chiropractor, chiropractor in St. Charles, MO

ADJUSTMENTS

The term "adjustment" refers to the specific correction chiropractors apply to vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. The objective of the chiropractic treatment is to reduce the subluxation, which results in an increased range of motion, reduced nerve interference and improved body function.

The adjustment made by the chiropractor consists of a high velocity, short lever arm thrust applied to a vertebra, which is often accompanied by an audible release of air. The audible sound is caused by the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, which releases joint pressure. The sensation is usually relieving, though minor discomfort has been reported (that usually lasts for only a short time duration) if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure.

There are times when joint sounds or "cracking" does not occur and this has no bearing on whether the adjustment was a "success." The sound means nothing other than you had significant joint pressure buildup which was released. Sometimes you hear something and sometimes you don't.