Chiropractic adjustments use various forces in a precise direction to a spinal joint that is fixated, “stuck”, or not moving as it should. This can instantly improve and restore motion of joints, allowing the spine to regain and enhance its overall function. We know that the main purpose of spinal bones is to protect the spinal cord which moves information from our brain to the body.
When a spinal joint is not moving how it should and is stuck, it interferes with the way the brain and body communicates, and over time causes joint degeneration in that area; hence why affecting it decreases overall health. This means that when a chiropractor does adjust your spine and releases the ‘stuck’ spinal joints, it enhances the way your brain can communicate with your body and improves your health!
Most of the time our chiropractor’s will use their hands or handheld instrument such as an activator or drop table to deliver a high velocity low amplitude force.
A Chiropractic Adjustment is a force that is placed through a joint in a specific direction to help alleviate pain within the area and restore movement back to the restricted joint. Usually after a joint does get adjusted it may feel like there is more mobility in the area, increased flexibility and overall just feeling allot better in the area of previous concern.
There are a number of people who try to “self-adjust” themselves to try and get the same effects from what they receive from the chiropractor. Most times people find that the ease of tension only last for short periods as they are not moving joints that are restricted, in fact, they are moving joints above and below the restriction hence why the pain continues to come back and progress. It is common also for people who crack their joints to overstrain themselves from forceful cracking. This can also lead to hypermobility of the joints and cause issues with muscles and ligaments moving further than they naturally should causing risks of harm.
How Does A Chiropractor Know What To Adjust?
Chiropractors are trained professionals with over 5 years of university experience at university completing a double degree in Health Sciences and Applied Sciences (Chiropractic). The degree gives our qualified and experienced health professionals the ability to use various treatment modalities and an understanding of how the musculoskeletal system and neurological areas work within the body.
Manual adjusting is just one of the tools that chiropractors use. When applying this technique usually chiropractors will check for areas of restriction and tenderness by using a physical examination. Things such as posture, walking stance and joint mobility are some factors that come into play when considering where to adjust. Once the patient is on the table relaxed our chiropractors will use use their hands across the spine to check for any inconsistencies throughout the spine and to see where tension and restriction is present.
Scoliosis is an abnormal S or C shape curve of the spine which develops in infancy or early childhood. Usually, scoliosis is seen in teenagers as the curve tends to become more prominent due to lifestyle choices such as prolonged sitting and slouching. Unfortunately both genders are affected by this change of the spine although it is more common in females and they are over 5 times more likely to continue to evolve into more severe angles of spine curvature.
Normal vs Scoliotic Spine Diagram
What Causes it?
Idiopathic – Most common type of scoliosis. There is no known cause of this type.
Congenital – This is due to an anomaly or change in the formation of bones in the spine.
Neuromuscular – muscle and nerve imbalances in your spine. This form causes much quicker changes than other types of scoliosis.
Degenerative – Known as adult scoliosis. This develops overtime due to uneven wear and tear of discs and joints of the spine.
The Chiropractic team at the The Melbourne Chiropractor understand that pain is best managed by creating long term changes! Firstly, the pain needs to be alleviated with adjustive techniques or low force techniques to the spine, soft tissue massage to the surrounding musculature and then be accompanied with an exercise regime to help make the changes needed to influence bad habits and behaviours! Many of our patients seek.
By creating a change to your musculoskeletal system, it will help decrease muscle tension and restrictions through the spinal segments which in turn allow you to use your spine to further strengthen it! If you are seeking treatment which will help restore your structural and functional health our chiropractors and osteopaths at the The Melbourne Chiropractor are here to help get you back on track! BOOK NOW
Flexibility is usually taken for granted since it is only when you realise you aren’t as flexible as you used to be that you decide to work on your range of movement. The truth is; there are multiple factors that affect your flexibility and they go from being overweight to mobility issues. Your profession or chosen lifestyle can also affect your overall flexibility. You can address this problem in numerous ways and chiropractic care is one of them.
Does chiropractic really help?
Chiropractic aims to improve your flexibility in a completely natural manner without medications and using products that promise miraculous results. It’s a holistic approach towards a more flexible you.
If you’re wondering whether chiropractic can really help you, then you’ll be glad to know its benefits for flexibility have been scientifically proven.
Improving flexibility
The reason you should work on improving your range of motion is because poor flexibility affects strength, endurance, and overall quality of life. You can improve flexibility in a number of ways including:
What does a chiropractor do to improve flexibility?
Chiropractic care involves spinal adjustments and manipulation to other parts of one’s body to adjust the joints, bones and muscles in order to relieve the pain, improve flexibility, and restore range of motion. The adjustments can be performed manually or with various techniques such as electrical stimulation, trigger point therapy, ultrasound etc. Your chiropractor can also recommend exercises you should do to improve your range of motion successfully.
