3 Chiropractic Terms to Know Before Your First Visit

If you are going to see a chiropractor for the first time, or you just want to know more about what to expect, check out these three chiropractor terms you need to know first.

Manipulation (also called adjustment) is the term used for applying pressure to joints to release them. This helps release stiffness and improves range of motion. Any joint can be manipulated, but many people visit the chiropractor because of neck or back pain.

During the manipulation, it can feel and sound like your joints are moving, but they are not. The reason for the popping sound is the small amount of gas that is released when the joints are properly adjusted. It is perfectly normal, not harmful and shouldn't hurt.  

There are many types of manipulation techniques. One of the most common, however, is the direct thrust technique. With this technique, the chiropractor applies fast thrust to the joint in an attempt to force it to move again. If you have osteoporosis or a similar condition, direct thrust may be too powerful. Instead, the chiropractor will focus on spinal mobilization, which involves stretching and slow movements.

Depending on your condition, modalities may also be needed to improve your spine health. A modality is a treatment done in conjunction with manipulation to improve the results. Common modalities performed before a manipulation include heat, massage, and electrical stimulation. These help loosen the muscles, so moving joints is easier.

Ultrasound can also be used to massage and heat deep tissues to improve blood flow. To help better stretch each vertebra, the doctor may also recommend spinal traction. Again, this is often done before manipulations in order to make it easier to move joints.

In many cases, back and neck pain is caused by poor posture, which leads to both weak, elongated muscles and tight, short muscles. If your pain is caused by poor posture or a similar lifestyle problem, the chiropractor will suggest lifestyle choices. These may include exercises and stretches to improve posture, diet changes to lose weight, etc.

Subluxation refers to a partially dislocated vertebrae, and in most of the medical field, it is a major condition that needs treatment as soon as possible. If your chiropractor mentions subluxation, however, don't worry. Chiropractors use this term for the minor misalignment of the vertebrae.

The process of subluxation involves a lot of changes, including congestion of joints (trigger points that cause painful toxins that irritate nerves). Other changes may include edema, minute hemorrhage, fibrosis, local ischemia, and atrophy.

Vertebral subluxation often starts with abnormal motion because of the position of the spinal bones. This can make it hard to twist or bend your spine. The misalignment is often caused by poor posture. If the condition worsens, it can begin to affect the nervous systems. This, combined with limited mobility, may allow some of your muscles to atrophy or shrink.

Chiropractic manipulations alone can't fix your bad posture, but they can loosen joints, releasing some pain immediately. They also make it easier for you to exercise and stretch to improve your posture for good. Thanks to the growing demand for chiropractic care, your insurance carrier may even cover some treatments. If you would like to know more about chiropractic care, or if you need to schedule your first appointment, contact us at Davison Chiropractic today.