Neck Adjustment and Back Adjustment Ultimate Guide

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What Is A Back and Neck Adjustment?

what is a back and neck adjustment

If you suffer from neck or back pain an adjustment can do wonders for relieving pain by addressing the root cause.

A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure where a trained Chiropractor uses their hands or a small instrument to apply a targeted, sudden force to a spinal joint to release pressure, stimulate the surrounding nervous system and improve your body’s overall physical function.

It can help relieve pain and act as a natural alternative to pain killers or other medications prescribed to help manage pain and swelling. Unlike medications that only mask the symptoms temporally, an adjustment can treat the root cause of your pain.

Adjustments are not just effective for lower back and neck pain, but also with shoulder, knee and elbow pain and headaches.

Back pain facts courtesy of Ability Physiotherapy Ltd. (Read the caption)

Back pain with sitting to standing courtesy of INNOVA Integrated Wellness Centre (Read the caption)

The Ultimate Guide to Back and Neck Adjustments

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Tell us what hurts, and we will treat your pain in the shortest time possible. Get effective treatment for your condition in less than 30 minutes so you can get back to doing what you live… pain-free.

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This appointment is your opportunity to tell us what hurts and discover whether Back and Neck Adjustment is a good fit for you! During this session, you will talk with a chiropractor on a phone call (or online) and create the right care plan specifically for your pain. There is no obligation, this session is only to find out if Back and Neck Adjustmenty can help you getting back to doing the things you love in life.

About PainHero

If you’re like most you don’t want to wait days or weeks to get treated for your pain. And you don’t want to have to spend your time calling nearby clinics to find the one who can see you the fastest.

That’s where PainHero comes In – Canada’s largest network of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and registered massage therapists. 

Our Platform is used by clinics where they post their open appointment times. So you can quickly compare availability and wait times for clinics near you without having to pick up the phone. Then book an appointment within seconds and even see someone that day if you want. So you can get back to doing the things you love faster.

Plus unlike other sites who let anyone on or just rely on google reviews. We hand pick clinics based on a 50-point inspection, which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust, cost, and general excellence.

Why PainHero?

Improve the way your body moves so you can continue to do the things you love. PainHero is Canada’s largest network of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and registered massage therapists. Our mission is to make it easy for you to find the top clinics in your community. We handpick the top clinics using our 50 point inspection based on patient reviews, complaints, and patient outcomes. 

Whether you’re seeking pain relief or preventative care, you can expect our patient-centric approach to be new and different from any healthcare experience you’ve had before. Perhaps even life-changing.  

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The Ultimate Guide to Back and Neck Adjustments

9 Benefits of A Chiropractic Adjustment (Including Unexpected Ones)

1. Neck Pain Relief

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems people experience today. This is especially true if you spend hours sitting per day, frequently bend your neck to use your phone, or have poor postural habits.

A chiropractor adjustment can help relieve your neck pain by providing the sore area with a neurophysiological stimulus which can relieve pressure between your joints.

In fact, a study was published in Annals of Internal Medicine that looked a spinal manipulation on 272 neck pain patients aged 18-65 years old. After 12 weeks of adjustment, it was shown to be far more effective than over-the-counter medication in both the short term and the long term.

Also, another study done in 2018 found that a chiropractor’s neck adjustment can ease pain by modifying neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are substances that can modulate the perception of pain.

Neck pain self-therapy techniques to do at home courtesy of INNOVA Integrated Wellness Centre (Read the caption)

2.) Ease Back pain

A Chiropractic treatment can be a good alternative to pain killers. Getting your back adjusted can relieve back pain by addressing the root cause.

In fact, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends spinal manipulation (chiropractic care) as a way to reduce lower back pain before using pain-killing medications.

Check out these great tips to help eliminate your back pain courtesy of Spine & Sports Clinic (Read the caption)

Common barbell exercises for Upper Back/Shoulder Mobility courtesy of Peak Health & Performance

Try out these exercises at home to reduce back pain courtesy of Human Integrated Performance

3.) Neck adjustment helps ease Migraine and other Headaches

Spinal manipulation (a.k.a adjustment) has been shown effective at treating different types of headaches. In particular, they are helpful in relieving cervicogenic headaches, which are headaches that arise due to dysfunction in the neck

A study in 2016 found that just 6-8 sessions of upper back and cervical manipulation were effective for reducing cervicogenic headaches.

Tips to get rid of headache courtesy of Maple Health Care & Rehab

Neck tension and headaches courtesy of Peak Health & Performance (Read the caption)

4.) A more affordable option for chronic back pain sufferers

Medications can only help back pain so much. Once you go off the medications the pain normally comes back because medication used to treat back pain just mask the symptoms temporarily.

Adjustments can provide more long-term solutions. They are a noninvasive and cheaper alternative to conventional treatments.

A 2016 study found that chiropractic treatment was just as cost-effective as conventional treatment for chronic lower back pain.

5.) Boost Energy

When you have tension in your spine and on the nerves it puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body, draining your energy reserves as your body struggles to adjust. This can cause our bodies to feel run down and tried. Chiropractic adjustments can remove all this tension freeing your body to run as it was designed to. So instead of your natural energy reserves being depleted by stress, you’ll have more energy available for your life.

6.) Improved Digestion

There are nerves that run through your spine that control how your stomach functions and how your body digests food. If there is dysfunction in these nerves it can interfere with your digestion and may trigger your stomach to produce more acid. This can lead to heartburn, gas, and acid reflux. An adjustment can help relieve pressure on the nerves so your stomach can function optimally.

7.) Boost Your Immune System

Most don’t realize that your immune system is directly related to your spine.

At times, dysfunction in the spine  can disrupt your body’s natural mechanisms for fighting off illness, increasing your chances of becoming sick. A Chiropractic adjustment aids your immune system and may temporarily boost it.

8.) Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation causes pain, joint problems, and muscle tension. Chronic inflammation can lead to many problems like heart disease and cancer.

A chiropractic adjustment has been shown effective at temporarily reducing inflammation.

This in turn may help ease joint pain, reduce muscle tension, and relieve back pain.

9.) Effective For Sciatica

Sciatica is normally caused by an irritated nerve. Pain radiates down your lower back to your legs because of mechanical or inflammatory pressure on the sciatic nerve.

This is a very painful condition that forces many people to take pain killers and lose time from work.

Studies have shown a chiropractic adjustment can be effective at treating sciatica.

How Does an Adjustment Treat Neck Pain?

A Chiropractic neck adjustment can loosen up the joints in your neck. This can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms, strains or pinched nerves.

Neck pain caused by pinched nerves can radiate throughout your shoulder and arm as well. A Chiropractor adjustment can help relieve the pain by creating a neurophysiological response, relaxing the muscles which reduce the pressure placed on the nerves.

An adjustment is a noninvasive and non-additive alternative to pain killers or other medications that are prescribed to manage pain. A quick release of pressure can produce a pain-relieving effect by releasing pain-relieving neurohormones. 

Neck pain stretches courtesy of Elumena Health Clinics (Read the caption)

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Are Chiropractic Neck Adjustments Safe?

Yes, a chiropractic neck adjustment performed by a trained and licensed practitioner is relatively safe. There are a select few conditions the chiropractor may choose not to manipulate the neck for, however that is specific to each person. After treatment, some may experience temporary muscle soreness or stiffness.

What You Can Expect From a Chiropractic Adjustment

On your first visit, a chiropractor will typically perform diagnostic tests to discover the root cause of your pain. They may also use Xray for the purpose of seeing the structural integrity of the spine. 

Then your chiropractor will develop a customized treatment plan based on the results from your tests.

They will then have you lie on a comfortable adjustment bench.

They will palpate by applying pressure to find trouble spots. These can be painful spots they press or stiff spots.

The Chiropractor will then use their hands or a small instrument to apply a quick, controlled force to the joint.

You may hear a popping or cracking sound during the adjustment. That’s normal. It’s caused by small pockets of air or bubbles in the fluid around your joints. When you get an adjustment the pockets of air “pop” which creates that popping or cracking sound.

Your first visit typically lasts 30-45 minutes with the next treatments lasting 10-15 minutes.

How Often Should You Get A Chiropractic Adjustment?​

Often symptoms are relieved after just a few visits.

As a general rule thumb, most experience noticeable improvements within 1 to 4 weeks from starting Chiropractic treatments. For more complex conditions it can take longer to see results. During the first few visits, many can see a pain reduction of 40-80%. After some time the pain can completely disappear with greater mobility.

How Long Does An Adjustment Last?

An adjustment can last from a month to as long as a year. It’s recommended after your treatment plan has finished, to continue to periodically see your chiropractor for maintenance. This will help keep your symptoms from re-appearing.

However, there are 3 things you can do to make an adjustment last longer.

1.) Practice good posture habits – it’s important to keep an upright position when you sit and stand. This can help make the adjustment last longer. Additionally, changing your postures frequently throughout the day is very helpful.

 

2.) Hydrate – drink plenty of water to help your body get rid of toxins like uric acid which are known to slow down response to an adjustment. The better hydrated you are, the more likely you are to get better and faster results.

3.) Exercise – exercises are important for keeping your muscles strong and flexible as well as increasing circulation.

Doing these things can help make your adjustment last longer.

Check out these 3 stretches to combat neck and upper back pain courtesy of Peak Health & Performance:

Stretches for back pain courtesy of Salius Physiotherapy & Osteopathy

Why Do Adjustments Feel Good After?

When you adjust your neck  natural endorphins are released. The quick change in pressure in the joint also releases a dopamine effect in the brain making you feel better.

Is A Chiropractic Treatment Covered by Insurance?

Chiropractic care is covered by private insurance, motor vehicle insurance, worker’s compensation, and most commercial health care policies.

You don’t need any referral to see a chiropractor.

How Do I Find a Good Chiropractor?

PainHero is Canada’s largest network of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and registered massage therapists. To make it easy for you, we handpicked the top clinics using our strict 50 point inspection based on patient reviews, complaints, and successful patient outcomes. Not fake google reviews from friends, family, or those that are bought.

Just click the button below to find a clinic near you.

Generally, this is not advisable because it decreases support for your lower back. Placing your feet on the ground will help to stabilize your lower back.

Lying on your back can help reduce tension in your neck and keep it in a more neutral position.

Yes. Getting enough water intake is great for overall health. When you optimize other aspects of your health, such as sleep, nutrition and stress, it can significantly help your back pain.

Back pain most often occurs in the lower back. Whereas kidney pain is deeper and the pain is higher up in the back.

It’s very very rare as long as it’s done by a qualified professional. However, your neck may feel sore after an adjustment because the vertebrae in your spine move very quickly.

Organs that are located near your back like your kidneys, pancreas, uterus, and colon.

It depends on individual preference as well as the cause of the lower back pain. In general, it is best to move frequently, as staying in one position for too long can further aggravate the pain.

The most common muscle imbalance is an imbalance between the quadriceps and the hamstrings.

What Causes Neck and Back Pain?

The most common causes of neck pain are:

The most common causes of lower back pain are muscles strains and disc bulges

Strain

Strained muscles may occur by not using proper lifting techniques and sudden awkward movements.

It can also result in too much activity like sitting for too long.

Disc Bulges

In your back, you have a series of vertebrae. A vertebra consists of interlocking bones stacked on top of one another to create your spine.

There are discs in between each space of your vertebra for cushioning.

When these discs bulge, herniate or rupture your nerve can become irritated or even compressed.

A bulging disc pressing on the nerve is very painful. This pain can shoot from your back down to your leg. Additionally, you may feel numbness or tingling into the leg.

An adjustment can help take the pressure off this nerve relieving the pain.

Latest Health Articles To Improve Self Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Some may experience temporary soreness after an adjustment. However, it doesn’t last long.

Chiropractors are a doctor of Chiropractic (DC). They don’t hold a medical degree. Chiropractors have extensive training in chiropractor care and are licensed practitioners. They do 6-7 years of post-secondary education.

Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that is based on the idea that your body can heal itself once in proper alignment through adjustments. 

Chiropractic means “to be done by hand.” An estimated 4.7 million Canadians visit a chiropractor each year. They specialize in spinal health and well-being. Chiropractors can also help patients avoid unnecessary drugs and surgery.

Book Your BACK NECK SHOULDER KNEE ELBOW HIP WRIST FOOT Pain Consult

Back and Neck Adjustment is one of several possible methods for relieving pain that do not rely on prescription medications and all the side effects and baggage they come with. Not to mention that most drugs can only mask pain, but rarely address root causes. Find a clinic if you are suffering from muscle tightness, soreness, or pain to improve your quality of life, today.