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By Mayo Clinic staffDepending on the reason for your visit, your chiropractor may make adjustments to joints in your back or, less frequently, to joints in your neck or some other part of your body, such as your shoulder.
At your initial visit, your chiropractor will:
- Ask questions about your health history
- Perform a physical exam, particularly of your spine
Your chiropractor may also recommend other examinations or tests, such as an X-ray.
Based on these initial exams, your chiropractor will put together a treatment plan to suit your needs and treatment goals.
During the adjustment
During a typical chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor places you in specific positions to treat affected areas. Often, you're positioned lying facedown on a specially designed, padded chiropractic table. The chiropractor uses his or her hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint, pushing it beyond its normal range of motion. You may hear popping or cracking sounds as your chiropractor works your joints during the treatment session.
Some chiropractors use adjustment methods that are less forceful. Although safe, these methods haven't been studied to determine their effectiveness.
Additional therapies
Your chiropractor, physical therapist or osteopathic doctor may recommend other treatment approaches in combination with chiropractic adjustment, such as:
- Application of heat and ice to affected areas
- Massage
- Stretching
- Electrical stimulation
- Rest
- Exercise
- Lifestyle counseling about healthy eating and weight loss
- Dietary supplements
Reassessment
At some point during your treatment course, your chiropractor will evaluate your progress, to see how much your treatments are helping. If you're not making any progress, your treatment plan may be adjusted or your chiropractor may request that you see your medical doctor for further advice.
- Shekelle P. Spinal manipulation in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Chiropractic: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Spinal manipulation for low-back pain. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/spinemanipulation.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Kohatsu W. Low back pain. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178827353-4/0/1494/110.html?tocnode=54114756&fromURL=110.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Frequently asked questions. American Chiropractic Association. http://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=70. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Globe GA, et al. Chiropractic management of low back disorders: Report from a consensus process. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2008;31:651.
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