Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic is the science, art and philosophy of restoring health to the body naturally. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained in detecting spinal misalignments and gently removing them so your nervous system can control your body properly and efficiently. Every organ and cell in your body is completely dependent on the information and energy that your nerves carry. Anything less than 100% is not ok. Your body suffers; however the outward symptoms of this nerve pressure doesn't show up until the end stages of the disease process.

At the foundation of our spinal correction and optimal health restoration programs is chiropractic healthcare. Chiropractic is the healthcare profession that focuses on and specializes in treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and their effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromuscular-skeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. Inasmuch as all physiology is controlled by the nervous system, the chiropractic adjustment is often able to influence many other aspects of health including the immune system.

Doctors of Chiropractic practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to healthcare that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractic "Adjustment"

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by Doctors of Chiropractic is known as "spinal manipulation," also called "chiropractic adjustment." The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypo-mobile—or restricted in their movement—as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Nerve Damage

For over 100 years, chiropractors have focused their attention on the spine. The spinal cord projects nerves between the individual vertebrae and as such are directly affected when vertebras are not functioning correctly.

Misalignment of a vertebra or groups of vertebrae inhibits nerve supply and causes a cascade of negative effects that include pain, numbness/tingling, muscle spasms and poor functioning of our vital organs. Spine misalignment and malfunction can arise from any number of chemical, physical, or emotional stress factors. When the body is not able to communicate appropriately through the nervous system, it is not able to self-heal. Chiropractic seeks to identify, analyze, adjust and correct these misalignments.

The Doctor of Chiropractic restores the body's nerve function by adjusting the misaligned vertebra into its correct position. When nerve function is improved, bodily processes become more natural and healthy. As a science, chiropractic deals with the relationship between the spine, nervous system and the effects on the body's innate ability to express and maintain good health. As an art, chiropractic entails knowledge, skill and dexterity to locate and correct subluxations that impair and rob the body of its ability to maintain optimal health and wellness.

Is The Adjustment Painful?

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. Your doctor will recommend home care to assist in alleviating any discomfort you may feel.

A Cooperative Profession

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Doctors of Chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient's condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

“The source that created the body, heals the body”

The foundation of chiropractic is built on the truth that health is the body's normal state and good health is perfectly natural. Chiropractors know that the body possesses a unique internal wisdom that continually strives to maintain a state of good health. The body's internal knowledge is also the guiding, healing force which allows our body to self-heal and self-regulate, permitting us to adapt naturally to the influences of the internal and external environment.

Not your mother's chiropractic!

Traditional chiropractic had its place, but doctors today have learned innovative techniques that make this alternative healthcare method more effective than its conventional predecessor. See our Advanced Treatment section to learn more about our advanced approach.

We’ve helped hundreds of Montgomery County, Maryland residents. Whether you live in Potomac, Silver Spring or Rockville, Maryland, come see us for chiropractic adjustments.