Chiropractic Adjustment
A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle, targeted movement used to restore normal motion and alignment to a joint in the spine that isn’t moving the way it should. When a vertebra is stuck or out of position, it can irritate the nerves exiting the spine and lead to pain, stiffness, muscle spasm, and inflammation. Your chiropractor first examines you to find exactly where the problem is, then chooses the technique that best fits your body and comfort level to bring that segment back into proper position. This takes pressure off the surrounding nerves and tissues and gives the area a chance to heal.
The research behind Chiropractic care is strong. In 2017, the American College of Physicians published guidelines in the Annals of Internal Medicine recommending that people with low back pain try drug-free treatments first, and spinal manipulation was one of the treatments on that list. A 2018 study in JAMA Network Open followed 750 active-duty military members with low back pain and found that those who received chiropractic care along with their regular medical care had less pain, less disability, and used less pain medication than those who received medical care alone, with no serious side effects. Neck pain responds well too: a 2012 study of 272 adults in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that spinal manipulation worked better than pain medication, and the benefits were still there a full year later. Chiropractic care may also help patients avoid stronger treatments. A 2020 study of more than 100,000 people with spinal pain, published in Pain Medicine, found that those who saw a chiropractor were about half as likely to fill a prescription for opioid pain medication, and a 2013 study in the journal Spine found that only 1.5% of injured workers who went to a chiropractor first ended up having back surgery, compared with nearly 43% of those who went to a surgeon first. But chiropractic care is about more than getting out of pain.
Regular adjustments help keep your spine moving well, your posture balanced, and your nervous system working at its best, so you can stay active, sleep better, and keep doing the things you love while feeling your best.
Activator Method
The Activator Method is one of the most widely used gentle chiropractic techniques in the world, and it’s a great option if the idea of having your neck or back “cracked” makes you nervous. Instead of twisting your body or using hands-on force, the chiropractor uses a small, hand-held instrument called the Activator to deliver a quick, gentle tap to the exact spot that needs to be adjusted. The tap is so fast that your muscles don’t have time to tense up and resist, so the adjustment can do its job without any twisting, popping, or awkward positions. Most patients describe it as nothing more than a light, quick push. Before adjusting, the chiropractor checks your body step by step, comparing the length of your legs while you lie face down and asking you to make a few simple movements to find the areas that aren’t moving the way they should. Because the instrument is so precise, it can be used not only on the spine and pelvis but also on the jaw, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and feet.
Today, more than 9 out of 10 chiropractors use instrument-assisted methods like this one in their practices. Whether you’re new to chiropractic care, had an uncomfortable experience in the past, or simply prefer a gentler touch, the Activator Method offers a comfortable and effective way to feel better.
Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is a gentle, specific chiropractic technique designed for women during pregnancy. It was developed in the 1980s by Dr. Larry Webster, the chiropractor who founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), after his own daughter went through a difficult birth. As your baby grows, your body changes quickly: your posture shifts, your belly pulls your center of gravity forward, and pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments around your pelvis. All of this can throw the pelvis and sacrum (the triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine) out of balance, which can lead to low back pain, hip pain, sciatica, and tension in the muscles and ligaments that support the uterus.
The Webster Technique finds and gently corrects these imbalances, helping your pelvis move and function the way it should and giving your baby as much room as possible to settle into the best position for birth. It’s important to know that the chiropractor never pushes on your belly or tries to turn the baby. The work is focused on your pelvis and the soft tissues around it. Adjustments are light and comfortable, often done by hand or with the low-force Activator instrument, and you are positioned so there is no pressure on your stomach.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is considered a safe and effective way to help moms feel their best during pregnancy. As for results, a 2002 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics surveyed chiropractors who used the Webster Technique with women whose babies were in the breech (bottom-down) position, and the large majority of those babies turned head-down. Many women use Webster care throughout their pregnancy simply to stay comfortable and keep their pelvis balanced. I am certified in the Webster Technique by the ICPA and have treated hundreds of pregnant women through out my career, so you can feel confident that you and your baby are in experienced, caring hands at every stage of your pregnancy.