A Simple Question Many People Ask
No matter how many years I have been in practice, I always come across a patient who has never seen a Chiropractor and wonders what exactly it is that we do. Some of them tell me their fears based on what they have seen on social media (especially those videos where people sound like they are getting “cracked”) and others are skeptical in that they have literally tried every option. How could a Chiropractor help them with their said issue?
To be honest, I get it. Growing up in my family, I knew little to nothing about Chiropractic. The majority of my family thought Chiropractors cracked backs (myself included). And when you’re dealing with pain, and you’re not sure what Chiropractic actually involves, you definitely want a thorough explanation before someone puts their hands on your spine.
That’s what this whole article is about. I’m going to walk you through what Chiropractors actually do, what happens when you come to see us, and when it would be most helpful.
My Simple Answer
Chiropractors are spinal specialists who look at abnormal movement patterns in your muscles, joints, and spine. We figure out where things aren’t moving right or where you’re stuck, then use hands-on techniques to increase joint mobility and ultimately improve spine alignment. Our goal is to help you experience less pain, better movement, and increased function of your nervous system. In doing so, this allows your body heal and do what it’s supposed to do.
Chiropractic adjustments are effective when combined with the exercises we prescribe for you to do at home. We recommend an optimal frequency based on your examination findings and testing (i.e., X-rays) to get the best results for your care.
The Basics: What Is Chiropractic and How Does It Work
Okay, so what is Chiropractic, really?
Chiropractic is a natural healthcare approach that focuses on the relationship between your nervous system and your spine. Your nervous system controls every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. When the joints of your spine are misaligned/subluxated, this causes your muscles to tighten, leading to pain and stiffness. The pressure on the surrounding nerves also causes nervous system dysregulation, which may affect functions such as breathing and digestion. Your body will also start compensating in ways that make other parts of your body hurt, too.
Think about a door that’s hung slightly wrong. It still opens and closes, but it sticks. It drags. You have to push harder. Over time, that friction wears down the hinges and the frame. A Chiropractic adjustment is like realigning that door so it swings smoothly again.
When people ask, “How does Chiropractic work?” here’s what I tell them: Chiropractic adjustments help restore movement to joints that are restricted or stuck. When joints move better, it often reduces irritation to nearby nerves and tissues. Muscles can relax instead of constantly bracing. Your nervous system gets clearer signals about where your body is in space.
Can Chiropractic help me with my health concern? It works really well for people with various health issues, including neck pain, back pain, neck stiffness, and headaches. Research supports this, and I observe it in my practice every week. By improving the structure and function of your spine through Chiropractic adjustments, nervous system function increases. Not only does your pain start to disappear but other benefits show up as well. Many of our patients notice better breathing, sleeping, posture and healing over time. It’s truly amazing what your body can do when it’s better connected to your nervous system.
Chiropractic is definitely not an approach that will fix an issue within a few visits. We usually see our patients over a long period of time to create stabilization in your spine and overall health. With time and consistency, healing takes place.
What a Chiropractor Will Actually Do During Assessment and Treatment
Let’s get into the practical stuff. What will a Chiropractor do when you walk through that door?
The most important part of your first visit with me is understanding your health concern. I will ask you questions like when your problem started, what makes it worse, and what makes it better. How is the quality of your sleep? Can you tie your shoes without pain? Does sneezing and coughing make your pain worse? All of these key details help me understand what is going on and to get to the root cause of your problem.
When we do your assessment, we will check the movement of your spine and look at your posture. I’ll also feel along your spine and muscles (that’s called palpation, but really, I’m just checking for tight spots, tender areas, or joints that don’t move the way they should). Depending on your examination findings, we may do further testing such as X-rays and other neurological tests.
What does a Chiropractor do next? At your next visit, I’ll explain what I found and go over my recommendations with you. If you decide to proceed forward with care, this is where we would do your first Chiropractic adjustment. A controlled, quick movement is applied to the joints that are misaligned/subluxated. Often times, patients notice an immediate change in the mobility of their spine and sometimes may hear a pop. That’s just gas releasing from the joint, like when you crack your knuckles.
In addition to your adjustments, I’ll give you stretches and exercises you can do at home. I will also suggest ways to improve your sitting, sleeping, or lifting habits. Chiropractors can help you understand your body and give you tools to take care of it yourself.
Every care plan is personalized based on your examination findings and testing. My goal is not only to get you out of pain but create long lasting relief.
Common Conditions We Help and What Chiropractic Can Do for Them
These are some of the most common conditions Chiropractic may help with
- Low back pain is a significant issue I see in our office. Whether it’s from lifting something heavy, sitting at a desk for 40 hours a week, or sleeping in an awkward position, Chiropractic often helps. Improving the movement of your joints decreases muscle tension and ultimately decreases pain.
- Neck pain and stiffness. Many people whose jobs involve staring at screens all day often experience varying degrees of neck pain and stiffness. When your neck joints are restricted, and your shoulders are up around your ears, Chiropractic adjustments can make a real difference.
- Headaches. Do you suffer from tension headaches, migraines or cervicogenic headaches (those that start in the neck)? Relieving the nerve pressure off the nerves in your upper neck through Chiropractic adjustments may help.
- Joint stiffness in your mid-back, shoulders, and hips. Any type of joint stiffness, Chiropractic adjustments can help.
- Sports injuries and repetitive strain from your day-to-day activities. Chiropractic adjustments and exercises can help you get back to your activities.
Chiropractic care is a natural and effective approach for several health concerns related to the function of your joints and nervous system.
What Chiropractic Is Not and When to Seek Other Care
There are certain cases where Chiropractic should not be considered. These include if you have a fracture or an infection. In these cases, I would refer you to a medical professional to have the appropriate testing and imaging done. Safe, gentle, collaborative care means knowing your limits and working with other professionals.
In cases where patients suffer from nerve-related issues or even autoimmune conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Chiropractic has been shown to help manage and reduce their symptoms.
Can Chiropractic reduce the risk of surgery or taking medication? In many cases, patients that begin their Chiropractic care are able to decrease their medication or come off of them completely. Same with surgery – there are cases where surgery is no longer needed. Sometimes Chiropractic care works alongside them. Collaboration with your healthcare team ensures that we all get the best results for you.
A Short, Anonymized Success Story from My Practice
I had a patient a few months back, a woman in her early forties. She came in because she couldn’t turn her head to check her blind spot while driving. This had been going on for months. She’d tried stretching and taking some ibuprofen, but nothing really helped. She was frustrated and, honestly, a bit scared that something serious was wrong.
After I assessed her, I found restricted movement in the middle part of her neck and really tight muscles through her shoulders and upper back. After talking to her about her job, she said that it was probably from stress and excessive computer work. We started with gentle Chiropractic adjustments and a few simple exercises she could do at home.
After a few weeks, she had about 70% of her movement back! By six weeks, she was driving comfortably again. She also noticed that she was sleeping better and that her posture was improving.
Her healing wasn’t instant but a process involving staying consistent with her Chiropractic care and doing her home exercises. After experiencing the changes in her health, she shared that she felt relieved her symptoms were reduced and empowered that she could manage it. That’s what good care should feel like.
Practical Tips You Can Try Before Your Visit
You don’t have to wait for an appointment to start helping yourself. Here are some things you can try right now that are safe and often helpful.
Mind your posture. If you’re sitting a lot, set a timer for every 30 minutes. Stand up, walk around, move. Your spine needs movement and not hours in the same position.
Try heat or ice. If you have a new injury that has happened within the last 48 hours, ice is usually helpful in bringing down inflammation. If it is chronic stiffness that has been there for a few weeks, heat usually makes it feel better and helps muscles relax.
Move gently. Slow neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, gentle twists. Don’t try to force anything, just encourage movement of your neck within comfortable ranges.
Stay hydrated. Your joints and discs need water. It is recommended that you drink half of your body weight in ounces.
Check your sleep setup. Whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper or any other position, the height of your pillow matters. Make sure that your pillow is supportive of your posture as well as your mattress. Sleeping position matters.
Rest when you need it, but don’t stop moving entirely. Staying in bed for days usually makes things worse. Gentle movement, even just walking around your house or neighbourhood, supports healing.
These are some ways to help decrease the strain on your spine and manage your symptoms.
FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions
Does Chiropractic really work?
For many people and many conditions, yes. Especially mechanical pain, such as low back issues and neck stiffness. Research supports it, clinical experience backs it up, and I see it work regularly. That said, results vary person to person. It’s not a guarantee, and it works best when you’re an active participant; doing your exercises, following advice, communicating what’s working and what’s not.
What if I’m nervous about the popping sound?
That’s totally normal. The popping noise is just gas bubbles releasing from the joint fluid. It’s not your bones cracking or grinding. Based on your comfort, I am also trained in various gentle, low-force Chiropractic techniques in which you may not hear the popping noise.
Do I need to keep coming forever?
This is a question that comes up a lot. The answer is no. Some people come for a specific problem and once it has resolved, they stop coming. However, many others find that once they feel better, they want to continue coming to keep their spine and nervous system healthy. Similar to getting your car serviced, regular Chiropractic adjustments ensure that you maintain a healthy, mobile spine and nervous system.
Reassurance and Choice
If you’re still wondering, “Chiropractors, what do they do?” or whether Chiropractic is the right fit for your specific situation, I hope this gives you the clarity to make the right choice for your health.
If you’re heading into the holidays dealing with pain or stiffness, know that you don’t have to push through it. Chiropractic is a practical, natural approach that may be the answer you have been praying for.
