Self adjusting, is it beneficial?

Do you feel like you need your back to “crack” or “pop”? If you do it yourself, is it really that beneficial?

First let’s talk about the noise you hear when you adjust your neck or back or get it adjusted by a chiropractor. The noise use to be associated with the “bones moving back into place”, but we know that is not actually happening. The “popping” sound is what we call a cavitation. This occurs when there is a build up of gas in the joint. When the joint position changes, it releases the gas bubble at that joint creating the audible “crack”. Cavitations are lovely to hear (for the patient and myself), however it is not needed in order to get better joint motion.

Adjusting has been shown to provide relief because it restores joint motion, increases range of motion, reduces muscle tightness, down regulates the nervous system and release endorphins. It is best to get adjusted from a provider whose style matches what you are looking to get out of care. There are different styles of adjusting such as diversified, activator, Gonstead, drop table, etc (more to come on another blog). It is important to understand a style you like.

It is not recommended to “self adjust”. If you are going through a normal range of motion and there happens to be a cavitation, that is ok. I often see people sitting in my office that will turn there head to the side and press on their chin to get an “adjustment”. That is not recommended due to the fact that you are increase mobility at a segment that probably has enough motion. These areas become hypermobile. When hypermobility happens, that is when there is an increase in injury at that joint, muscles, ligaments, etc.

By getting adjusted by a chiropractor, there is a better chance that you are not making a hypermobile segment, more hypermobile. Chiropractors are trained to look for hypomobile segments to improve the motion at that segments. It is all based on the movement of the joint before and after the adjustment. Most often, you should feel a reduction of pain, and more motion after an adjustment. Part of the treatment plan in office, is showing the patient exercises they can do that help improve mobility in their area of complaint. There are other options rather than self-adjusting, which are safer and more effective for you body.

If you have any questions on chiropractic adjustments and if chiropractic care is beneficial for you, feel free to reach out at 701-566-0778.