Chiropractic Adjustment
What Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Do?
Chiropractic manipulation is not just joint popping. In fact the audible
pop doesn’t even need to occur for a successful manipulation, though it
often does, and some patients and doctors like to hear it. Research has
found that pop or not, the same benefits are experienced and that trying
repeatedly to get a pop can actually cause damage.
The mechanism of why manipulation works is not completely understood.
One thing that is understood is that it does work. Most of the simple
explanations are incomplete or just plain wrong. The most recent
research points to a more complex reason for the therapeutic effects of
chiropractic manipulation. It is suggested that many things are
occurring at the same time that provide the benefits.
Here are some of the known things that can begin to explain why
manipulation works.
1. Proprioceptive stimulation triggers the release of endorphins. These
endorphins cause a near instant and temporary relief similar to pain
medication making you less aware of the problem. This trick of the body
can cause a secondary benefit, that of relaxing local tissues such as
trigger points or tight musculature that may be pinching nerves.
2. Manipulation provides improved nutrient supply. The cartilage and
other structures inside of a joint have no blood supply. These
structures get their nutrients through motion. The blood supply goes to
the outside of the joint and nutrients move into the synovial fluid of
the joint. Joint motion moves this fluid around thus providing fresh
nutrients to all parts of the joint, as well as removing waste. If a
joint becomes locked down by muscle spasm, scar tissue, a cast, or any
other means, for a prolonged period of time the joint begins to feel
stiff. You know the feeling of needing to stretch after sitting in the
car for a long time.
The facet joints in your spine are particularly vulnerable to this
problem because they work in tandem and because of the body’s amazing
ability to compensate. Your facet joints all work together, if one is
injured it can become locked down to prevent further injury. When this
happens you may get the desire to stretch or move your back. This
usually works, but if all of the other joints compensate for the problem
joint and take that added stress of movement on themselves then the
problem joint stays locked down. Specific manipulation induces full
range of motion and synovial fluid movement.
3. Manipulation can reduce pressure on the nerves. Your nervous system
is the control center of your body, and it is not without weaknesses.
Nerves and nerve bundles are soft tissue. They don’t function well under
physical pressure. In fact it has been shown that inflammation, a
bulging disc, or fragment floating around can interfere with proper
nerve conduction. The stuck joint as discussed previously can also
physically be stuck pressing on a nerve, or could be causing
inflammation that is pressing on the nerve, or could just be moving in a
way that rubs the nerve. In any case. The adjustment can cause a relief
of this pressure. through movement of the joint to the correct position,
or motion.
4. Proprioceptive retraining allows for improved function. The brain
also records these proprioceptive signals from the joints motion.
Especially for chronic conditions the brain is in need of retraining
regarding the motion of that joint. Manipulation takes a joint through
its full range of motion. This new input is then stored and replayed in
the brain, similar to muscle retraining that physical therapists will
do, or physical training of athletes, when the body has done the motion
enough times it remembers it. This retraining provides a functional
correction that may provide pain relief.