Chiropractor Neck Adjustment

A chiropractor neck adjustment can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and reduce muscle tightness. It can also address issues related to the structure of the neck such as a herniated disc or spinal misalignment.

However, there are some things to keep in mind when considering this type of treatment. One of the most important is avoiding over-adjustment of the cervical spine. This can cause a number of issues including destabilization and osteoarthritis.

Another issue is the risk of high-velocity neck manipulation causing vertebral artery dissection. This is a rare complication that can lead to stroke. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor before getting a chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Many conventional doctors of chiropractic use a technique called manual or cervical manipulation. During this type of adjustment, the chiropractor may rotate or stretch your neck and create a popping or cracking sensation. They may also “drop” a section of an adjustment table, resulting in a medium-to-high-velocity thrust. Other doctors of chiropractic use instrument-assisted adjustments (some table-mounted, others handheld) that don’t result in the cracking sound.

A good chiropractor will perform a physical and neurological exam of your neck before providing a spinal manipulation. The exam includes observing your posture, checking for a restricted range of motion, and feeling the muscles and ligaments. The doctor will then ask about your pain and how it started, what makes the pain better or worse, and what affects your quality of life.