One of the biggest fears that stop many people from seeking chiropractic care is fear of the adjustment itself. Just about everyone has heard horror stories of loud noises and extreme pain when it comes to a chiropractic adjustment. We are here today to offer some insight into the true chiropractic experience and describe how your adjustment will go and what to expect. With understanding of the sounds you may hear and what you can do to make the experience less frightening and more beneficial, you can truly reap the rewards of allowing a professional to take care of your body in a holistic, safe way. Here is a brief look at what you can expect from a chiropractic adjustment and why this technique is used to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Let’s just start with the scariest part of a chiropractic adjustment for many people. Is it going to hurt? The short answer is no. Many people think that chiropractors use a great deal of force when they make adjustments to the spine and other joints. The truth is the technique is more about applying the correct amount of pressure and skill in determining how to coax the joint back into its correct alignment. If you are nervous about the adjustment you may tense up or tighten your muscles when the chiropractor makes the adjustment. In this case there may be slight discomfort. Once you learn to relax and trust you are doing the right thing for your health, things will go much more smoothly and you will begin to associate the adjustment with less pain and better health.

Once you have the pain concern out of the way, the other big fear is of the noise or popping associated with a chiropractic adjustment. Lots of people are afraid that those popping sounds are the bones cracking. It’s nothing as serious as all that. Think about cracking your knuckles. You often feel or hear a popping noise. It doesn’t mean that you just cracked or broke the bones of your hand. What actually occurred, just like in an adjustment, is gas pockets escaping from the joint. There is no pain to be concerned about and over time and treatments, you may notice that the sounds stop or decrease. That means that the treatments are effective and the normal flexibility is returning to the region.

The reason chiropractic adjustment is used so often is that it gently and effectively encourages the spine or joint to move back into its proper alignment. No amount of medication or pills you take will move your vertebrae into the correct position. Now that you know there is nothing to fear, consider visiting a chiropractor for evaluation and help.

While often feared originally the chiropractic adjustment is a specialized technique to promote increased flexibility of joints. The loss could be due to injury or illness. With the right information, you can overcome your fear and enjoy the benefits of treating your body in a holistic manner.