Back and neck pain can be debilitating and excruciating. It can affect your sleep, your productivity at work, and can cause anxiety and depression. While many people may be reluctant to see a chiropractor, seeking treatment from a licensed chiropractor is a gentle, effective, and safe route to natural pain relief. In some cases, it can take several adjustments to fully eliminate back or neck pain, however, many people have reported feeling relief after one appointment. For those who are not familiar with chiropractic adjustments, the biggest concern is often whether an adjustment is painful and what they can expect following an appointment.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit
When a chiropractor recommends a chiropractic adjustment, it means that they’re going to apply pressure to the back to realign the spinal column. A spinal adjustment is a chiropractic technique that can ease your pain and will improve the body’s physical function and promote better posture. Generally, a chiropractor will use a small instrument or their hands to manipulate the spinal joints for proper alignment.
Gentle Chiropractic Care
For a person who has never received chiropractic care, the idea of getting a spinal adjustment may seem intimidating. At the beginning of a visit, you’ll meet with a chiropractor who will address your concerns and pain issues, while also explaining the treatments they provide. They will also go over your health history and create a personalized chiropractic care plan that will help you reach your wellness goals.
Next, the chiropractor will position you on the table as they explain what they are about to do. Once you’re comfortable, they will begin treatment.
As the chiropractor performs the procedure, you might hear some cracks and pops from your joints, but you won’t feel pain. Depending on your symptoms, the chiropractor may perform two or three adjustments. After they are finished, they’ll provide some aftercare instructions such as applying heat packs or ice packs, which can continue to help with pain management.
Is a Chiropractic Adjustment Painful?
Chiropractic adjustments are simple treatments that can be completed within a matter of minutes. This technique is not painful, although you may hear cracks and pops. However, you should not experience any intense pain. Usually, if you weren’t in pain before the adjustment, you will not be in pain after. Some patients may experience some minor aches or sore muscles after an appointment. These minor aches and pains feel similar to how you would feel after intense stretching or exercise.
Common Adjustments
It’s important to mention that every type of adjustment that’s offered is slightly different.
Neck Adjustments
To improve mobility in the joints, a neck adjustment is performed by adjusting the cervical vertebrae. Chiropractic neck manipulation is done as a patient lies on their back in a relaxed position. The chiropractor will touch their neck and rotate the patient’s head from side to side, using a controlled motion. A neck adjustment is commonly used for patients who have chronic neck tension or chronic headaches.
Lower Back Adjustments
There are many ways to achieve this type of chiropractic adjustment. One method is to have the patient lie on their back and rotate their hips gently, so that one leg is over the other, with their lower body resting on the hip. During this adjustment, the patient will likely hear some cracks and pops, but there will be no pain.
Shoulder Adjustments
Shoulders are not generally considered part of the spinal column, but they can play a major role in spinal health. Misaligned shoulders can cause headaches, neck pain, and back pain since some of the shoulder muscles are attached to the spine. Typically, this form of treatment is done while the patient sits in an upright position. The chiropractor will manipulate the shoulder to shift the joint forward or backward to correct a misalignment. This type of adjustment is ideal for anyone who spends hours sitting at a desk every day.
Treatment Frequency
For some, the pain will be gone after the first treatment. However, most people will require several visits. Other patients will schedule regular appointments for injury prevention and maintenance purposes.
Chiropractors commonly see patients for:
- Sports injuries
- Accident injuries
- Shoulder pain
- Leg pain
- The prevention of future injuries
- Knee pain
- Relief from headaches
And more.
For Quality Chiropractic Care Contact Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center Today
Chiropractic treatment is a gentle, effective way to manage pain. While some people have reported some mild aches and pains after treatment, these symptoms usually disappear within a day. Most patients feel a reduction in pain after treatment and tend to feel more relaxed. If you’re experiencing chronic pain in your back, neck, or shoulders, and you’re looking for an effective and natural way to manage your pain, contact the team at Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center in Bentonville today to schedule an appointment.
