What is an 'adjustment'?

Chiropractors use specialised techniques to restore joint motion, known as adjustments. These adjustments target specific areas of the body, particularly joints, muscles, or ligaments that may be affected by dysfunction or restricted movement.

There are several types of adjustments including manipulation, mobilisations, block stretches, activator, and fascial stretching.

Adjustments within Normal Joint Motion

Movement in a joint occurs in two distinct phases that are crucial for joint function and mobility.

Voluntary Movements

The first phase is characterised by the voluntary movements that we can perform ourselves, such as bending and straightening the knee. These actions are controlled by the muscles surrounding the joint, enabling us to perform everyday activities like walking, running, and jumping.

This voluntary motion is essential for maintaining strength and flexibility in the joint, allowing for a wide range of functional movements.

Joint Play and Accessory Motion

At the end of this voluntary motion, there exists an additional component of movement known as joint play or accessory motion. This refers to the small movements that can be achieved through gentle manual pressure applied to the joint.

These subtle movements allow for better distribution of forces across the joint surfaces, enhancing the joint's ability to absorb shock and reducing the risk of injury. The presence of joint play ensures that the joint can adapt to various stresses and strains, which is vital for maintaining normal joint function.

What happens during an adjustment?

The aim of adjustments is to help restore normal movement patterns by facilitating this extra passive movement. During an adjustment, several processes can occur:

• Improved circulation of the fluid within the joint, nourishing the joint.

• Research suggests that adjustments can release trapped joint tissue from within the joint.

• Other research has indicated a reduction of pressure on nerve endings in the joint.

  Studies have shown that spinal manipulative therapy can change muscle tone, and reduce pain sensitivity.

• The release of tension in the surrounding muscles, creating a more balanced movement pattern of the affected joint and surrounding areas. This reduces the likelihood of compensatory injuries elsewhere in the body.

• As normal movement is restored, individuals often experience a greater sense of well-being as they regain the ability to engage in activities they enjoy without restricted motion.

Altered Nerve Function

Movement detected by nerves in the joints can interrupt the pain signals and override them, helping to reduce the pain experienced. The movements stimulate special receptors that alter the activity of the nerves to the muscles around the spine, and therefore change muscle activity itself. Sometimes there is an audible click or pop during the adjustment as the joint moves.

Types of Adjustments

At Marlborough Chiropractic Clinic we use a range of different adjustments to suit you and your body, including:

• Manipulation: This is a fast but shallow thrust into a joint, where a click is sometimes heard.

• Block stretching: This creates a slow, controlled stretch to joint capsules and ligaments to help improve the accessory involuntary movement in a joint and stimulate nerve endings.

• Activator: This instrument delivers a similar fast thrust to a joint as manipulation, but at a lower amplitude. We commonly use this to treat younger patients, or patients with osteopenia

• Myofascial stretching: This uses fast and slow movements to stimulate nerve endings and nerve receptors within the muscles to help relieve tension.

If you have a question, or want to find out if adjustments are right for you, call us today to speak to one of our chiropractors.