Spinal manipulation is usually applied by chiropractors to fix certain conditions related to the cervical spine. This is a technique commonly performed by having the patient either lying down, facing up, or seated. Another alternative position used is with the patient in a prone position (lying down, facing down), often used to treat lower cervical or upper thoracic vertebral, and costovertebral joint conditions.

The chiropractor performs the cervical joint manipulation in the conventional positions (lying down, facing up, or seated), following 4 steps:

1. While the patient relaxes, the chiropractor isolates the vertebra that will be manipulated by using the index or third finger of a hand (this one is called the “contact hand”), while putting the other hand in a position to comfortably support the weight of the head or to help the other hand.
2. The next step can be performed in two different motions, depending on the comfort of the patient and the preferences and experience of the chiropractor. The head can be either rotated, known as the “rotatory method”, or flexed sideways, known as the “break method”. Some chiropractors combine these two movements to have a better approach to the spinal manipulation. During this step, a stretch or traction may also be used.
3. When the correct and right position is determined, having the patient in a comfortable situation, the movement is performed.
4. Usually, chiropractors practiced a movement based on high-velocity and low-amplitude (HVLA) characteristics known as an adjustment. In other cases, a movement using low-velocity and low-amplitude (LVLA) characteristics is performed.

While doing the adjustment technique, some chiropractors may use some tools or devices to help the process. A very common tool used is the “activator”, which is a tiny, simple, and spring-loaded device that has to be manipulated with the hand to adjust a specific cervical vertebra.

Some other instruments used by the chiropractors offer stimulation with pulsating characteristics to adjust the cervical vertebral segment.

Regarding the very popular sound that happens during the adjustment, the HVLA manipulation usually releases a phenomenon called “cavitation”. This is created by the gas located in the joint capsule that escapes with its sudden movement within its passive range of motion but within the tissue boundaries.

This phenomenon usually creates the typical cracking sound that everybody knows and often associate with the manipulation of the joint. The process is not very much different from the one developed when cracking one’s knuckles.

The fact that this technique makes a cracking sound may give an impression of something uncomfortable happening, but the truth is that many patients find the technique very relieving, providing in most of the time immediate pain relief. In other cases, some patients could feel some discomfort represented by soreness, stiffness, or aching after the treatment is performed. These symptoms last just a few days and do not interfere with normal daily life.

Finally, some patients do not get and feel comfortable with the idea of cracking their neck by using a rapid movement technique, especially in the cervical spine area. Therefore, chiropractors use some less forceful and gentle methods like mobilization to treat these patients.

With this in mind, schedule your appointment at https://pruskijointandspine.com/contact/ and you will receive the proper attention your case requires.

For more information about spinal manipulation techniques, Spinal Adjustment in Huntsville, Texas, and so much more, contact us at 936-295-1777. Our team of experts based in the beautiful community of Huntsville, TX, will be available during working hours to answer all your inquiries and support you in your path to wellness.