Chiropractic adjustment involves manual application of a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile (limited in movement) as a result of tissue injury. This type of injury can occur from one traumatic event or can result from repetitive stresses on the body.
Chiropractors can improve mobility through spinal manipulation and other therapeutic techniques. They also promote healthy movement patterns.
Increased Range of Motion
Having good range of motion is important for moving your body fluidly and without pain. It improves joint health, supports muscle strength, and reduces the risk of injury. When the spine and joints are misaligned, however, it can lead to restricted mobility and chronic pain. This is where chiropractic comes in. By realigning the spine and improving function, chiropractic treatments can relieve pain, increase range of motion, and boost overall health.
Chiropractors use a manual adjustment technique to apply precise force to specific spinal and joint areas. This helps correct misalignments, alleviates pressure on nerves, and enhances communication between the brain and body. It also promotes proper blood flow, decreases inflammation, and enhances natural healing.
As a result, chiropractors have helped many patients enjoy greater mobility. This allows them to work, play sports, and engage in recreational activities more easily, reducing the physical strain of daily life. It can also help prevent age-related discomforts and improve quality of life.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors often employ a variety of other treatment techniques to support spinal and joint health. These include soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercises, and joint bracing and taping (Kinesio tape). Combined with adjustments, these methods can promote better flexibility, posture, and range of motion. They can also ease pain from arthritis, allowing you to move your body more freely.
Your spine is more than just a structural marvel—it’s the main thoroughfare of your nervous system. Chiropractors aim to keep this highway clear of disruptions and facilitating improved nervous system function, which in turn leads to enhanced bodily functions and vitality.
This holistic approach to health is particularly useful for elderly individuals, who often experience limited mobility. It can help them move more freely, reduce pain from arthritis or other conditions, and increase their quality of life. In addition, chiropractors can help minimize the risks of falls and injuries by addressing balance issues with spinal adjustments, balance exercises, and recommendations for assistive devices.
Reduced Nerve Pressure
If a spinal bone becomes misaligned, known as a vertebrae subluxation, it puts pressure on the nerves that run through that particular area of the spine. This pressure can cause pain, inflammation, and other issues with the nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments help alleviate this pressure, restoring movement and improving nervous system function.
The nervous system is a vital part of the body, controlling and coordinating all of the functions throughout the entire body. When a nerve is under stress or pinched, it cannot properly send information to the rest of the body, which can lead to a host of problems, including reduced mobility. Chiropractic care can help reduce this tension by adjusting the spinal bones and allowing the nervous system to communicate more effectively with the rest of the body.
Chiropractors use different adjustment techniques, based on each patient’s needs. Some of these include Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson, and the Activator technique. Each of these approaches involves applying a high velocity, low-amplitude controlled force to the problem areas of the spine. The result is improved spinal motion, decreased muscle spasm, and joint inflammation.
When you come to see your chiropractor, he or she will take into account the location and severity of your symptoms, along with a thorough physical examination and X-rays. This allows your chiropractor to get a complete picture of the issue and formulate a plan that will restore your mobility and health over time.
In addition to manual adjustments, your chiropractor may also recommend specific stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as dietary and lifestyle suggestions. Incorporating these recommendations into your daily routine will support the healing process and improve long-term results.
Often, the most effective way to restore mobility is through targeted soft tissue therapy. This technique helps to relax tight muscles, relieve spasms, and release tension in the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles (fascia). This treatment is especially helpful for athletes who rely on their bodies for physical performance and athletic success, as it can greatly improve both comfort and range of motion.
Lastly, the body has its own natural painkillers that are released when under stress or in pain. These biochemicals, called endorphins, can boost your mood and reduce the sensation of pain by altering the brain’s perception of it. Regular chiropractic treatments can help encourage the body to produce more of these chemicals, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress and improving your overall quality of life.
Increased Flexibility
Flexibility is important to be able to move your spine and limbs in a wide range of positions. It is also important for good posture, preventing injuries, and performing physical activity. Chiropractors, especially skilled ones, akin to the Lincoln chiropractors, improve flexibility by correcting spinal alignment and reducing inflammation. This allows the muscles and tendons to stretch more fully. They may also help you with exercises and wellness techniques that you can incorporate into your daily routine to increase your flexibility.
Chiropractic adjustments and massage work to relieve tension in your joints and muscles. They can also help to re-establish the movement of any fixated bones in your spine (known as subluxations). This will gently break up adhesions and reduce degeneration, improving flexibility. Your chiropractor will use a variety of methods to adjust your spinal and non-spinal joints, including grade 1 to 4 mobilizations. They will often focus on the neck, back, hips, knees, and wrists.
If you spend a lot of time sitting, it can be easy to lose your flexibility. This can cause pain, discomfort, and even lead to injury. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments and making some lifestyle changes can help you regain your flexibility.
Having a wide range of motion is essential for all aspects of your life. Whether it’s reaching for something on a high shelf or running a marathon, having the flexibility to do your job and play sports is important. Chiropractic care can help to restore the full range of movement to any joint or area in your body.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can improve your flexibility and posture, but they’re also a great way to reduce stress and boost your immune system. This is because proper spinal alignment can promote healthy blood flow and nerve communication, boosting your immune response to illness. This is why you should make chiropractic a regular part of your healthcare routine! To learn more about how chiropractic can improve your mobility, contact us today. We’re ready to help you live your best life!
Increased Strength
Whether you’ve been in an accident or have experienced significant trauma, chiropractic adjustments improve motion in joints that have lost their normal movement. This optimizes joint function and decreases inflammation, allowing muscles to move the joints more freely without pain. This holistic approach is especially effective for preserving mobility in weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips.
Athletes who regularly receive spinal manipulation benefit from better joint function, improved flexibility and increased strength. This is because regular chiropractic care helps correct muscular imbalances that may lead to injuries, such as shoulder pain and back problems. By keeping the body healthy, athletes are able to train harder and recover faster.
As a result, they can achieve their fitness goals and maintain a higher level of performance throughout their life.
During spinal manipulation, chiropractors apply controlled force to the vertebrae that are misaligned, known as subluxations. This restores proper spinal alignment and improves nerve function. When the nervous system is functioning properly, it can direct muscle function more effectively, allowing you to have better balance and stability, which in turn, improves overall athletic performance.
Spinal adjustments can also correct nerve supply to the digestive organs, which in turn promotes healthier digestion and nutrient absorption. This can improve an athlete’s recovery process and help them absorb more energy from the foods they eat.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can even improve your immune system, which in turn can lower inflammation. Lower levels of inflammatory substances like cytokines can allow you to train harder and reduce the amount of time you need to recover from injuries.
Michael is an avid CrossFitter who suffers from shoulder pain and restricted range of motion. He started receiving regular chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal imbalances and optimize his health and performance. As a result of his consistent treatment, he was able to reduce his shoulder pain and enhance his mobility, enabling him to perform at a higher level on the gym floor. He also noticed that his muscles are much more stable and he can move his arms more freely. As a result, his serves and spikes are more powerful, giving him a competitive edge on the court.