What Is A Spinal Adjustment?

A spinal adjustment, or what chiropractors call a chiropractic adjustment, are terms used to describe the manipulation of a patient's spine through some form of physical movement.

In addition to Chiropractors, adjustments are also done by some osteopaths who typically use the term "adjustment."

Depending on who you talk to, the benefits of spinal adjustments range form simple, short-term pain relief to on-going, long-term cures and general wellness. Many claims are controversial and the debate continues as to the effectiveness and safety of these spinal treatments. In this article, I make no claims as to the validity of any the descriptions provided. They are merely meant for general information.

Spinal Adjustment Description

The term "spinal adjustment" is the one used by chiropractors and is also know as spinal manipulation. When used by a trained chiropractor, the goal of spinal manipulation is to correct what are called vertebral subluxations.

A vertebral subluxation is a known medical term for a lesion or dysfunction in a biomechanical spinal segment. Chiropractors further assert that the dysfunction actively alters neurological function in the spinal column.

Spinal manipulation has documented use going as far back as Hippocrates and even the ancient Egyptians. In those days, techniques were usually handed down from one generation to the next often by families that were known as bonesetters.

Today, a Chiropractor must attend an accredited Chiropractic College and receives not only chiropractic technique training but also basic medical training as well.

Today's form of spinal adjustment or manipulation has a fundamental biomechanical feature, and the adjustment is often associated with a "popping sound." Some have said this popping is a result of something called cavitation which is much like the sound heard when someone cracks their knuckles.

Chiropractic Cavitation can be described thusly...

When your spine is being manipulated a small gas bubble appears in the joint. This happens because during the chiropractic adjustment the volume of the joint increases suddenly. This sudden distention "snaps" the joint capsule. Because there is gas, from the cavitation, on one side of the snapped membrane, the capsule act a little like a drum and gives us the cracking noise.

Spinal Adjustment Details

The International Chiropractor's Association (ICA) states that...

"Chiropractic spinal adjustment is unique and singular to the chiropractic profession", and that it "is characterized by a specific thrust applied to the vertebra utilizing parts of the vertebra and contiguous structures as levers to directionally correct articular malposition. Adjustment shall be differentiated from spinal manipulation in that the adjustment can only be applied to a vertebral malposition with the express intent to improve or correct the subluxation, whereas any joint, subluxated or not, may be manipulated to mobilize the joint or to put the joint through its range of motion... Chiropractic is a specialized field in the healing arts, and by prior rights, the spinal adjustment is distinct and singular to the chiropractic profession."

However it is done or whatever it is called, the goal is to correct misalignments in the vertebrae of the spine and to return the body to it's normal, balanced state. Once in this normal healthy state the body can resume it's normal self-healing abilities and overall health can be reinstated.

Rick Hart is a business consultant. He provides tools for chiropractors in Clearwater and for many businesses in the area.

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