Chiropractic Adjustments

Each of us is ‘fearfully’ and ‘wonderfully’ made, and as such, hold the capability of healing

Chiropractors help to locate misalignments in the spine. The more technical term is a subluxation. This is where there is a lack of proper function in the spinal joints and causes areas to become stressed, strained and distorted. Muscles start to contract, changing posture, motions & reflexes. It creates a disconnect between the brain and the body causing nervous system interference. Inflammation and stress hormones are released too as the body adapts and compensates to protect itself as best as it can from the current stressful situation. Another way to look at it, is the body is in ‘fight flight mode’ or is in a ‘dis-ease’ state. If the problem persists and isn’t adequately addressed, the body is sent into exhaustion. This is when symptoms such as pain can appear. Pain is simply your body’s way of alarming you something is wrong. Some common symptoms or conditions we help with can include headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, radiculopathy such as sciatica, and low back pain.

We will use a variety of ways to determine where you need an adjustment including range of motion, posture, orthopedic tests, x-rays, and palpation. The goal is not to adjust everything in your spine. We want to ‘specifically’ locate the major areas of subluxation, and then use ‘gentle’ but effective techniques to adjust and correct these areas. Adjustments help to reset the communication between the brain and body allowing you to function at your best with improved postures and motions and less overall ‘dis-ease’. Dr. Katie utilizes Thompson, Activator, Diversified and Webster techniques. Activator technique can be a great technique for individuals we are afraid of the cavitation noise or ‘cracking noise’ that can sometimes accompany an adjustment. It’s a low force instument assisted adjustment to avoids the cracking noise or big movements of the neck. Adjustments should not be painful! Most patients enjoy getting adjusted, however, if you are already in a great deal of pain already it may feel a little ‘twingy’ in a certain areas. That’s why Dr. Katie utilizes a few techniques to find the one that is the most appropriate and effective but also the most comfortable for you. Everyone is different, so no two adjustments will look exactly alike.

After an adjustment, most people can expect to feel some sort of immediate relief, however, in some cases it can take a few adjustments for relief to be felt. Occasionally, you can feel a little sore before better, but it should just feel like a new work out or deep tissue massage soreness. Dr. Katie will work with you to set up a treatment plan that helps to address your specific concern(s) but also to prevent reoccurrence, degenerative changes, and injuries. The goal is not just simply to just get you out of pain but also to help make lasting changes and keep you functioning at your best.

Chiropractic care does not add anything to the body and it is not meant to treat any specific ‘disease’. Rather it helps to remove nervous system interference (subluxation) which helps the body to express proper communication and coordination, healing and life.